zone circulator pump; how to operate

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barnartist

Minister of Fire
Feel really dumb for asking, but please tell me how to control zone pumps using standard thermostat. In other words, I do not have a zone pump, only 120v pumps.
I assume I need a relay of some kind? Can someone point out an ebay item?
The Taco switching relays I see confuse me, they look like they only control zone VALVES rather than pumps.
 
What exactly do you want to do?

Most 'zone pumps' (circulators) are 120v, so not exactly sure what you mean there.

A typical setup would have your thermostats connected to the zone valves in a 24v circuit. When the zone valve opens, it closes another 24 circuit via a self contained end switch, which would then send power to the circ pump via a relay setup. So, might help to know what all you have to start with. Some setups don't have zone valves, rather a pump for each zone, each one being controlled by that zones thermostat.
 
I think you are confusing the term "zone pump" and "zone valve." All heating loops (unless thermosiphoned) need circulating pumps. You need to use a Taco zone controller that interfaces between your 120v circulator pump and your 24v thermostat. The green Taco box DOES control circulating pumps.
 
I don't know how to ask the right question. I cannot run 14 gauge wire to a cheap thermostat within each zone from this type of pump, it will burn up the thermostat.
Is a thermostat 24v? Do I need to transform 120v to 24v? I need a way to cycle these pump on and off.
 
That should do it, but we're still light on details - like, do you have zone valves, and what exactly for a pump. How many pumps & how many zones/thermostats?

Assuming you want each thermostat to directly start up its own circulator, and the stats are 24v, and the pumps are 120v, and you don't have more than two of each, and you have no zone valves - that Wilo should work. I think. It just acts as a relay that works with two circuits, more or less.
 
Disclaimer - I have no experince with that Wilo, or zone controllers. My system is old school zone valves with end switches. So the input is worth about what was paid for it. :)
 
OK, so I am still not comfortable with ordering the taco zone controller. I've tried to determine how to better ask the question, so here goes.
I have a 24v thermostat. I want that thermostat to kick on my pump when the room calls for heat.
I cannot connect the 24v thermostat directly to the pump, I must use some type of relay.

I found these two items (attached) in my stash.

Can someone tell me if this will do the job I need, then secondly how to wire it. I hope you can see the terminals and the corresponding number
s. relay1.jpg relay2.jpg relay3.jpg
 
That looks like it should work - has 24v coil which does the switching, and can handle 120v load (from what I can read on it).

Not going to say what to hook where though - I can't tell which are the coil terminals, and which of the load terminals close on coil activation. Someone should know, it's likely a common type of relay to some. Just not to me.
 
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