EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Product Reviews
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-27-13, 08:36 PM   #21
MN Renovator
Less usage=Cheaper bills
 
MN Renovator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 939
Thanks: 41
Thanked 116 Times in 90 Posts
Default

Thanks for the measurements and screenshots. Tiny and reasonably powerful.

MN Renovator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-13, 09:14 PM   #22
Servicetech
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Servicetech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Moore Oklahoma
Posts: 267
Thanks: 108
Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts
Default

Does the thermostat use mechanical relays for switching the outputs? Do you heat a click from the thermostat when the system comes on?
Servicetech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-13, 09:19 PM   #23
Servicetech
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Servicetech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Moore Oklahoma
Posts: 267
Thanks: 108
Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NiHaoMike View Post
An oversized heat exchanger would be more efficient in steady state operation, but blanking off one of the burners will not give you an oversized heat exchanger since you'll only be using part of it. What would is downsizing the burner nozzles (or otherwise reducing the fuel flow) and then somehow adjusting the airflow to maintain the correct mixture. (I think you would then have to slow down the air handler to avoid condensation and corrosion, but I'm not sure.)
That's the whole kicker on a natural draft furnace like the OP has, no easy way to do this.
I've tried downsizing orfices, delta T across the plenum drops faster than BTU input. Dropping input in 1/2 drops Delta T by about 2/3. 80K to 40k would take Delta T from 50f to 20f. Excess air in the combustion chamber accounts for a large portion of the efficiency loss.

I ended up just finding a good buy on a smaller furnace on Craislist. Easier to replace the whole furnace than experiment with different downsizing strategies. Bought a 2004 44,000BTU 90% furance still new in the box for $250, sold the 1999 88,000BTU 80% furnace for $175. Deals are out there, just have to look for them.

Last edited by Servicetech; 11-27-13 at 09:22 PM..
Servicetech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-13, 07:20 PM   #24
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Servicetech View Post
Does the thermostat use mechanical relays for switching the outputs? Do you heat a click from the thermostat when the system comes on?
I checked this out today. There are no clicking noises from the thermostat that I can hear when the heat kicks on/off. That isn't to say its not using a real small relay though. I think the spec sheet says that each pin can only carry 400mA.
__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-13, 11:56 AM   #25
Servicetech
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Servicetech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Moore Oklahoma
Posts: 267
Thanks: 108
Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts
Default

Sounds to me like some sort of transistor/optocoupler/triac doign the switching. Could cause compatibility issues with some systems. The 400ma rating is marginal for some AC contactors, especially when inrush current is considered. A typical contactor reads 10-20 ohms coil resistance. With 24VAC applied the 400ma will be exceeded until the contactor pulls in.
Servicetech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-13, 09:48 AM   #26
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

Just a quick update on this. The thermostat has been working flawlessly. I love it and have taken a few opportunities to use it to turn the heat up (before getting home early) and also to turn it down when I'm going to be away when the program would normally turn the heat up.
__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:
Servicetech (12-18-13)
Old 12-18-13, 06:26 AM   #27
Servicetech
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Servicetech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Moore Oklahoma
Posts: 267
Thanks: 108
Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts
Default

If a manual override is done at the thermostat, does it do a temporary or permanent hold?
Are cycle times/tempature swing adjustable?

I just noticed that they included a test lamp to verify good common, well done on thier part. Obviously they are focusing on DIY installer who may not own a meter.

For an $80 price point his looks like a nice wifi stat.
Servicetech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-13, 07:38 AM   #28
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

You can do a temporary or permanent hold via the physical thermostat controls. You can also adjust the temperature swing as well. I never did get to writing that part of it up. I'll have to get some pictures and do it later.

Their focus is the DIY crowd.

__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design