Beckett Aquasmart Boiler Controller; Any thoughts?

I use the Beckett Aquasmart almost exclusively on our oil fired installations, it works very well. I set them up as "cold start" controls.
If you already have a cold start type control I don't see how it would save any money (energy) at all. It is difficult to say what control
strategy your current system is using without seeing it. If it is really cold start you would have to have an indirect water heater or aquabooster
connected to it.

http://www.technicalheating.com/

The water heater is fired from the boiler?

Keeping the boiler warm with a low limit setting will use more fuel, period.

If you currently have a cold start control it would be best just to leave it.
The Aquasmart is a great control, but misapplied (programmed wrong) and it's just a bad as what it replaces.

BARTSFAM said:

I do have a stand alone, but connected, water heater.

My plumber is worried that the cold start causes condensation and rust. He keeps saying that if I use the Aquasmart, the water will be kept at a higher temperature, and cold water will not be sent through the boiler. He is big against my cold well water going through my boiler.....

Click to expand...

If you have an indirect hot water tank, your cold well water does not go through your boiler. The coldest water that would go through/into your boiler would be a temp just below the cut in point, where your hot water tank calls for heat. Guessing that's somewhere around 110° F? Not hot, but certainly not cold. The coldest your cold start boiler could ever get is room temperature - cold start boilers should be designed for that type of operation. Unless it is not a true cold start boiler but is just set up that way?

I also have a cold start oil boiler with an indirect water heater.
I put on a Tekmar outdoor reset on it.
It seems to be working fine, but I have no idea about fuel usage.
Is this Beckett Aquasmart unit better than an outdoor reset?

Outdoor reset is the way to go. The Aquasmart also has this as an option with a wireless outdoor sensor.
Without the outdoor sensor is has a feature that automatically reduces the high limit temperature based on load.

Thanks. I forget what I have the lower limit set at, but it's not too low. Haven't had any problems.

I turn the low limit off on my installs, saves energy.
Low limits just waste energy unless you need it for a DHW tankless coil.

Nice install. I don't think my Burnham V8 can take low temps.

Edit: Upon reflection, and reading the reset manual, I think the reason I have the boiler min temp (when it's running it'a a cold start), was because I have baseboard heat.

I've had my cold start boiler going for 20 years. Generally you should use enough hot water to keep the boiler somewhat above the room temp it is located in. In the last few years I added solar preheating before the indirect tank and also use some wood preheating to the same tank. That cut down on the boiler operating dramaticlly. My boiler still runs a few cycles a day which keeps it warm in the winter. In the summer it kicks in very infrequently. I just don't see any rusting or problems going on.

Cold start would be more like your cabin upnorth that only sees weekend use. And after initial firing it takes along time to bring return temps above 140*. If you do not have a large volume in the system, these boilers heat up rather quickly. With correct piping and pump sizes this is a non issue unless your boiler is seeing sub 140* water for more than 15-20 minutes on a regular basis. If you look in your owners manual it will show a piping diagram for near boiler piping protection called a boiler bypass, this eliminates any cold shock or condensing issues and maintains the warranty. Quote from a burnham V8 manual BELOW, its also the first thing they look for when a warranty is considered. There are several controlers just like the Beckett, and that is alot of labor for $150.00 part. Wish my profit margins were like that, err no I don't, I couldn't sleep at nite. Maybe a good understanding of what you have now and what the Beckett does will help you make a decision.



WARNING
System supply and return piping must be con-
nected to correct boiler pipe.
U.S. Boiler Company recommends sizing the
system circulator to supply sufficient flow
(GPM) to allow a 0°F temperature differen-
tial in the system. When sizing the system
circulator, the pressure drop of all radiators,
baseboard and radiant tubing and all connect-
ing piping must be considered.
4. Use a boiler bypass if the boiler is to be operated
in a system which has a large volume or excessive
radiation where low boiler water temperatures may
be encountered (i.e. converted gravity circulation
system, etc.) The bypass should be the same size as
the supply and return lines with valves located in the
bypass and return line as illustrated in Figures 14A,
14B and 14C in order to regulate water flow for
maintenance of higher boiler water temperature.
WARNING