In this excerpt from a Tim Chamblee Chiller Class at Stromquist & Company learn cooling tower basics. To check out one of Tim’s chiller classes at Stromquist & Company stay tuned to Controltrends for class schedules.

While at the AHR Expo one vendor I wanted to see was Belimo.

Belimo has announced thier new ENERGY VALVE is to be released soon and I wanted to see the new valve.

HERE IT IS:

The new Belimo ENERGY VALVE will allow flexability never allowed to the building owner/contractor to optimize coil and thus system performance.

Based on the popular Belimo CCV valves Belimo has now included Electromagnetic Flow sensors, Return and Supply water Sensors, along with Advanced Control options with the Belimo Delta T Manager included with the valves. BACnet MS/TP or BACnet IP network communications are also included in the valve setup.

Now you can accurately and automaticly control flow  through the flow sensors and Delta T through the temperature sensors based on your needs and desires.

The ENERGY VALVE will help detect and address problems that commonly impact coil performance like:

Coil degradation due to fouling and scale

Improperly sized coils

Poor valve authority in under or onerflow of the coil

Changes made elsewhere in the system that frequently impact other circuits which are inherently interactive.

Belimo’s new ENERGY VALVE is exciting new technology. For more information and availabilty call TEAM STROMQUIST at 1-800-241-9471.

Looking for an affordable temperature and humidity LCD display ? ACI’s has an answer with their new A/TUCH.

“The microprocessor-based A/TUCH Room Unit combines temperature and relative humidity space monitoring, with a temperature or relative humidity setpoint function, into one wall-mount package. The temperature output can be configured to have a resistance signal or standard analog output signals.

The A/TUCH Room Unit uses the same technology as the A/RH series for its relativity humidity sensor. Both the temperature and relative humidity functions can be adjusted in the field using single-point offsets,the temperature in 0.5° (F or C) steps and the relative humidity in 0.5% RH steps.

The A/TUCH Room Unit supports one setpoint function that can be configured for either temperature or relative humidity. The setpoint output is available in configurable resistance spans, or using one of the standard analog output signals. An override function can be configured to short the temperature output or the setpoint output. Additionally, the override can be configured as a dry contact signal. An optional override-acknowledge input uses a feedback signal from the Building Automation System to indicate the occupied mode on the LCD.”

If you are in Georgia or Florida the control pros at Stromquist & Company can help you with all your temperature, humidity, and HVAC control needs including the ACI A/TUCH. If you are in another part of the country one of our affiliates at Controls Group North America can hook you up with an ACI A/TUCH temperature and humidity display.

It’s getting cold outside, so we want to be sure to stay warm when we’re inside.  With a wide range of infrared radiant heating options, Space-Ray makes it easy and affordable to heat up unheated indoor spaces like warehouses, plant spaces or garages.

Space-Ray’s  CSA design certified ceramic heaters are available in natural or propane gas, ranging in capacity from 26,000 to 160,000 Btu/hr.  The high intensity heaters have a porous ceramic emitter designed to operate in the 1600°F to 1800°F temperature range. These units may be suspended hanging horizontally to direct the heat straight down or up to a 45° angle to direct the heat into a designated area. With the reflector options available, they may be mounted at a variety of mounting heights and angles for a wide selection of heating applications, including control options that allow for heater installation where no power supply is available. These units are suited primarily for spot and area heating.

If you are in the Maryland, Virgina, or southern Pennsylvania area, M & M Controls is the “go-to” controls company for all your boiler and building automation control needs. In my interview with Pat Marsala, the founder and president of M & M Controls,
we explore what a full service controls distributor looks like. Learn about M & M Controls Systems Integrator and Control Integrator programs and benefit from the insights of one of the HVAC controls industries most knowledgeable individuals. Pat and his team at M & M controls are members of Controls Group North America. With their large inventory of Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Fireye, Belimo, Siemens, Functional Devices, McDonnell & Miller and a top notch team of controls experts, M & M Controls receives a thumbs up rating for Controltrends as a reliable and trusted Controls Distributor.

Next time you are in the Baltimore area be sure to stop in and see Pat and his team.

Before you assume it’s a lost cause, follow a  few troubleshooting tips for direct-acting solenoid valves.  If doing these things doesn’t help, call Stromquist to order a new one!

Problem:  Valve will not operate when valve circuit is energized

Possible Cause: Low voltage or no voltage to coil.  Possible Solution: Check voltage at coil; it should be at least 85% of nameplate rating.

Possible Cause:  Burned out coil.  Possible Solution: See “Coil Failure” below.

Possible Cause: Foreign matter jamming core in core tube. Possible Solution: Clean valve; install strainer close to valve inlet.

Possible Cause: Binding core or damaged core tube. Possible Solution: Replace valve.

Possible Cause:  Excessive fluid pressure. Possible Solution: Reduce pressure to valve nameplate pressure rating or install suitable valve.

Problem: Valve will not close or shift when valve circuit is de-energized

Possible Cause: Coil not de-energized. Possible Solution: Check electrical control circuit.

Possible Cause: Foreign matter jamming core in core tube. Possible Solution: Clean valve; install strainer close to valve inlet.

Possible Cause: Damaged disc or seat causing internal leakage. Possible Solution: Replace with new parts.

Possible Cause: Binding core or damaged core tube. Possible Solution: Replace with new parts.

Possible Cause: Damaged spring. Possible Solution: Replace with new spring; never elongate or shorten spring.

Problem:  Coil Failure

Possible Cause: Overvoltage. Possible Solution: Check voltage at coil; voltage must conform to nameplate rating.

Possible Cause: Damaged core or core tube causing inrush current to be drawn continuously. Possible Solution: Check for damaged core, core tube or spring. Check for scale or foreign matter on the core or inside the core tube.

Possible Cause: Foreign matter jamming the core in core tube and causing inrush current to be drawn continuously. Possible Solution: Clean thoroughly and replace any damaged parts.

Possible Cause: Excessive fluid pressure causing inrush current to be drawn continuously. Possible Solution: Reduce pressure or install suitable valve.

Possible Cause: Excessive ambient or fluid temperature. Possible Solution: Class A coils are limited to ambient temps of 77 degrees F. For temps up to 167 F, use Class F coils; for temps up to 212 F, use Class H.

Possible Cause: Missing solenoid parts. Possible Solution: Install missing solenoid housing and other metal parts or properly install incorrectly assembled metal parts. The housing and other metal parts form part of the magnetic circuit and are required to provide impedance needed to limit current draw.

Possible Cause: Moisture inside solenoid enclosure. Possible Solution: Waterproof the entrance conduit to prevent entry of moisture. If valve is mounted outdoors, check to see that enclosure is weatherproof and that gaskets are in good condition; use appropriate sealant when required. If general-purpose enclosure is used in a damp or humid atmosphere, use watertight, molded coils.

Real nice video on rebuilding a Johnson Controls pneumatic valve. Stromquist and Company has Johnson pneumatic valve repair parts in stock. Give us a call in our Florida or Georiga branches for your pneumatic valve repair parts.

For those who aren’t too familiar with solenoid valves and their function, let’s start with the basics.  A solenoid valve is an electro-mechanical device that when energized or de-energized either opens or closes a valve orifice.  It is designed to control the flow of air, water, oil, gas or steam.  Here’s some handy terminology that is helpful in understanding solenoid valves:

De-energized: Electrical current is not applied to the solenoid valve.

Energized: Electrical current is applied to the solenoid valve.

Normally Closed: Valve is in the closed position when de-energized.

Normally Open: Valve is in the open position when de-energized.

Pressure (psi): Force exerted by an object over a specific area.

Flow: Continuous movement of a media in a specific direction.

Maximum Operating Pressure Differential (M.O.P.D.): The difference in pressure between the inlet and the outlet sides of the valve, against which the valve can safely operate. If the valve outlet pressure is unknown, be conservative and regard the supply pressure as the M.O.P.D.

Minimum Operating Pressure Differential: The pressure required to open a valve and keep it open.

If you need to order a solenoid valve and don’t have an existing part number, there are a few things you need to know to make sure you get the right one for your application:

Type of media:  air, water, steam, gas, or oil

Valve body: bronze or stainless steel

Voltage:  A/C or D/C voltage requirement

Electrical operation: normally open or normally closed

Valve size: pipe size or flow requirements

Valve line pressures:  inlet and outlet pressures

Operating temperatures: maximum operating temp

Valve type: 2 way, 3 way, or 4 way

Check back soon to get some solenoid valve troubleshooting tips.

Hats off to Chuck Chittick, Michael Bonner and the team at Stromquist & Company for their new look website. Thanks to Chuck, Stromquist & Company was one of the first HVAC distributors to offer their customers the ability to order online at Stromquist.com.
Now Chuck and his team have turbo charged the website. Check out this video on some of the cool new features and let us know what you think in comments.

Johnson Controls has introduced a new series of electric spring return actuators (VA9208 and VA9203) that are very versatile and a great choice for ball valves.  The new series features just 2 actuator models that cover all ball valve applications from 1/2″ to 2″.   This streamlined approach to actuator selection and mounting makes it much easier on building engineers and installing contractors. 

The actuators feature a direct-coupled design with a mechanical spring return system that offer reversible mounting and electronic stall detection.  A locking manual override and auto release allow manual positioning of the actuator hub with automatic return to normal operation when power and control signal are restored.  The competitive pricing on these models also includes all integral cables and connectors and a 5 year warranty.

The two torque ranges are 27 lb-in that actuate 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ ball valves and 70 lb-in that actuate 1 1/4″, 1 1/2″ and 2″ ball valves.  Simplicity in selection and attachment of the spring return actuators, combined with the broadest selection of plumbing connections, creates the simplest and most competitive brass ball valve product line available.  These latest additions provide maximum ball valve application capability while minimizing parts required, installation time and total cost.