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All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Plumbing => Topic started by: upnorth on November 09, 2014, 05:35:32 PM

Title: Taco Zone Control
Post by: upnorth on November 09, 2014, 05:35:32 PM
In our new house we have 2 zones, one zone with 2 loops for the garage, and one zone with 6 loops for the house.  Each loop is controlled by an actuator valve.

The garage zone works perfect, two actuators are wired back to the first zone.

The house zone only works with 4 loops (actual valves) wired back to the 2nd zone.  Can Taco Zones only support 4 actuators per zone? Once we add more than four, any combination, it stops working for the house zone.

This was all installed by my plumber, so they are coming tomorrow to fix, but guessing they are going to need to install a taco control unit with another zone to support all the actuator valves?

Expertise/Help would be great, want to make sure this is done right.

Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: slimjim on November 10, 2014, 04:33:06 AM
I believe you are right, no more than 3 on each zone is my golden rule, I think you can buy a higher VA control that could accommodate more zone valves but you tighten up your belt a bit.
Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: upnorth on November 10, 2014, 01:00:49 PM
thanks - my plumber thinks it will support 30-35, but I can't get more than 4.  They did the install, so they are coming to fix.  I will update when I know more.

Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: slimjim on November 10, 2014, 04:15:17 PM
DO WHAT?30-35 is he serious?
Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: LittleJohn on November 11, 2014, 06:49:39 AM
DO WHAT?30-35 is he serious?
I agree, with SLIM that installer is out of his mind.  Unless maybe he was talking 30-35 VA ??? That sounds more reasonable, but not 30-35 ACTUATORS

I have all UPONOR stuff, and they recommend no more that 10 actuators, per 50VA transformer.  Also, to get around the whole X number of actuators into one scres terminal, why not wirenut them and then you only technically have ONE wire going into controller. ***This may work, assumes you are NOT overloading the transformer in the controller***
Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: upnorth on November 11, 2014, 07:21:29 AM
I agree, he is going out at 9AM, I think that he is able to control 30-35 pumps?  Wondering if he is forgetting the zone has to send power to the actuators, not just the signal.  Anyways, it's his problem.  I will update today after he is done.
Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: upnorth on November 11, 2014, 12:40:11 PM
Ok, here is the latest, he rewired everything, troubleshooted and communicated the aube thermostat is bad.  He said when he removed the thermostat and jumpered the wires all 6 zone started fine.   I guess one the new thermostat is installed tomorrow we will know for sure.  Does that seem right?
Title: Re: Taco Zone Control
Post by: Sprinter on November 12, 2014, 11:06:27 AM
Bigger transformer and done. You can add another also, cuz two small are cheaper than the bigger ones. I would suggest sizing to only use 50-60% of the tranny rating. Helps down the road with actuator failure because there are large spikes when turned on.