Believe it or not, longest install of a Garn gets longer!

I was in the home stretch on the project. The hot tub has been moved into its new room. I built a hx based on a NoFo concept. The radiators to the two new rooms are plumbed. I purchased a brand new control system for $135 (retails $2500) that will handle four separate boilers. It was all going pretty damned slick until the phone rang on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. A buddy of mine needs help taking down some shelves and I agree to go help. I'm pulling down some wood when all of a sudden I forget I am not a youngster any more. I jerk too hard and pop my bicep tendon.

You can't plumb after surgery with your right arm immobilized. You can't type worth a darn. Did I mention that my left hand is about as useful as plastic spork?? Hey, there is some good news, the weather is balmy...Oh wait, the wife tells me that it -5* F. with a 20 mph wind. She seems unhappy as she is bundling up to go get firewood. She was not amused when I told her I would be able to help her in 6 to 8 weeks.

My brother-in-law says he will help me figure out the new controls (engineer - aircraft radar), so there is some sunshine. Six weeks rehab, 8 mos. trying to understand anything my brother-in-law says, and a month of making this all up to my wife. Watch out Winter 2010.
bert

The list will be in a word, "ROBUST!" :bug:

This is one like it on eBay

Aquatrac Multiflex boiler control. The box is included but is not pictured. This comes from a large sale of surplus industrial and commercial equipment. The specific model number is - M5B-B4-TB, which means it is the M5B series controller for up to 4 boilers (B4), and is timed pump control (TB) . The serial number is : M04550235. It comes with what is pictured, 4 boiler sensors and cast iron fittings. This boiler control cost approximately $3,000 at retail. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED with a one week return period. Buyer pays shipping and insurance both ways if needed. I accept PAYPAL, MO, and personal checks with a 14 day waiting period to ship (checks only). Shipping will run $18.50 USPS in the continental USA. The information below is a cut and paste from Aquatrac's website:

Aquatrac’s multiFLEX water treatment controllers exemplify the latest in
water management technology. Packed with features, the MultiFLEX line of
products are designed to provide the highest degree of control and flexibility.

Powerful Features
• Control up to 4 Boilers at once
• Web Browser Accessible
• LAN Accessible
• Up to 7 Analog Inputs and Outputs
• Six Digital Inputs
• Five Relay Outputs
• Works with Trackster 3 Software
• 5-Key Universal Keypad
• 4 Line, 20 Character Backlit Display
• Easily Upgradeable with Plug-in Modules
• Fully Programmable
• Flexibility Allows You To Combine Multiple Boilers and
Cooling Towers in One Controller
• Built in Ethernet with user definable static IP address
Easy To Use
Rugged
• NEMA4X, IP65 Fiberglass Enclosure with Dual
Locking Latches
• 120 or 240VAC 50/60Hz, Switch Selectable
• CSA / CE / UL Rated

multiFLEX M5B
Boiler Controller
Rating—Detail Notes
Analog—Digital I/O
Analog Inputs 7 Analog Sensors Auto-configuration on driver installation & removal
4-20mA Outputs (optional) DC Isolated, Loop Powered Controller accepts from 0 to 7 analog outputs
Digital Inputs 6 User configurable as water meters or contact sets
Relay Outputs 5, 1 SPST, 4 SPDT Fused in sets of 5 relays
Alarm Relay Dry Contact set, un-fused User selected N.O. or N.C.
Communications User Interface
Keypad—LCD 5 Key Tactile Feedback, Universal Characters Scan rate 100 mS nominal
4 Line x 20 Character, Backlit User adjustable contrast
10Base T, TCP/IP Ethernet LAN HTML, Telnet Micro Web Server Password, User ID protected
User definable IP address & port Browser shows controller in real time
Modem (optional) 56K, V.90 Remote Telnet Access Dial-out on alarms to pager or PC
Data Logging 600 Entries for each 26 inputs & 5 relays, Stored in XML format Adjustable from 5 Min to 1440 Minutes per Entry
Controls
Relay ON/OFF ON/OFF control Any relay can be configured for any control
Proportional 4-20mA (optional) User defined control set by sensor or relay control Software ZERO & SPAN adjustments
Volumetric User set, measure volume & pump on time Sequential control, measures make-up volume then
bleeds for user set volume
Captured Sample Sample / Measure / Blowdown / Resample user set timing Any sensor may be used
Interlocking 1 to 6 contact set inputs, AND & OR support Relay OFF when contact set opens
Blocking 1 to 5 relays may block any other relay Support for common Oxidant-Inhibitor feed
Alarms—Feed Limit Timers Minutes per Actuation & Day User defined on Feed Limit
Feed Verification (optional) PPM calculation based on volume feed &
cycles of concentration
Fail to Feed is no volume counted after 30 seconds of
pump ON time

System
Electrical 120 / 240VAC, 50/60 Hz Switch Selectable
Fusing 7.3 Amps @ 120VAC / 4.15 Amps @ 240 VAC Relays 1-5 Fused @ 6.3A. Logic fused @ 1A
Surge Suppression Relays 2-5 N.O. Contacts snubbed @ 0.1uF Controller Isolated from AC Line
Accessory Power 15-22VDC, Unregulated, thermally fused @ 200mA
Enclosure Non-Metallic, NEMA4X, IP65 11.5”W x 13.5”H x 7”D
Certifications
CSA: 1523642 CSA tested to comply with CE CSA tested to comply with UL 61010C-1

1957 Cedar Street
Ontario, CA 91761
800.909.9283

CT Continuous Sample
B1 Single Boiler Blowdown Conductivity Control
B2 Dual Boiler Blowdown Conductivity Control
B3, B4 B1 to B4 Controls from 1 up to 4 boilers.
TB* Timed Pump Control
XCB* Condensate Conductivity Control
FT ‘Fail to Sample’ Thermal Switch
L1* One liquid level sensor for a drum or tank.
RC Modem Communications & data logging
BP* Condensate pH Measurement
IC* 4-20mA Output on Conductivity
CM* Condensate Monitor
I I #* 4-20mA Outputs
EU European Version
* Options dependant on controller input &
output availability
# Specify number of 4-20mA Inputs

Goose,
I am certain that it does fall under the heading, "overkill." I think you can get it with Wii and Xbox games as well as a toaster oven attachment. I look at that list of features and think, "Oh great, more time with my Brother-in-law."

Jim,
It remains to be seen if the install ever gets finished. I have many more limbs to mess up.

Robert

I'd say it's a push. Whether you can't finish, or you can't start, both scenarios mean that you are not burning. Both scenarios mean you are using oil or gas or something else that requires more money and generally more pollution overall. Sorry to hear of your injury. Mine is coming along quite nicely, but the cabin fever it creates has been the most difficult hurdle. I 'm feeling about as useless as the watch pocket in my jeans. Hope your recovery goes well. I overdid it yesterday and I am paying the price today. Try to follow the Doc's orders.

Robert