Outside wood boiler water temp controller

[imarobot]

I have a camp that in addition to an oil-fired boiler also has an outdoor wood boiler. My problem with using the outside wood boiler is that I will typically be at the camp for maybe a week or less at a time. That doesn’t allow much time for the outside boiler water to get hot and more importantly cool down. I don’t want to leave the water circulator continuously running which will be running cold water through my indoor boiler and water heater once the boiler water gets cold. So, I would have to let the boiler run out of wood and get cold so I can turn off the circulator before I leave.

I am thinking of somehow putting a thermostat in the outdoor boiler water line which will turn off this circulator once the water cools down.

Or maybe a timer set for a long enough time for things too cool down. The time for this method could vary quite a bit depending on outside temperatures and how much wood is in the boiler. So, this would not be my first choice.

Anyone done this type of thing or have other suggestions?

I should have mentioned that it is not water running through this system, but anti-freeze.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I have a camp that in addition to an oil-fired boiler also has an outdoor wood boiler. My problem with using the outside wood boiler is that I will typically be at the camp for maybe a week or less at a time. That doesn’t allow much time for the outside boiler water to get hot and more importantly cool down. I don’t want to leave the water circulator continuously running which will be running cold water through my indoor boiler and water heater once the boiler water gets cold. So, I would have to let the boiler run out of wood and get cold so I can turn off the circulator before I leave.

I am thinking of somehow putting a thermostat in the outdoor boiler water line which will turn off this circulator once the water cools down.

Or maybe a timer set for a long enough time for things too cool down. The time for this method could vary quite a bit depending on outside temperatures and how much wood is in the boiler. So, this would not be my first choice.

Anyone done this type of thing or have other suggestions?

I should have mentioned that it is not water running through this system, but anti-freeze.

I have and many ways to accomplish this.

Do you want to re-direct fluid flow at given temps or do you want to turn the pump off?

A pump timer can be had for less than $100 from pool supply places, etc... but would need to know how many amps your pump pulls for accurate cost. Full pump automation might run couple thousand +

On Amazon or from local hardware stores digital 40a timers start around $60 and a 15amp timer can be had for $20.

Temp sensors for say $50 can be bought to send signals to all type of control boxes.
- laminated to the fire box / water jacket / water pipes / etc...
- can be tapped into pvc pipes, into the water jacket, etc....
-etc...

then your controller can adjust say a jandy motorized flow valve (valve maybe $200) and temp sensor $50 and a control panel $1,000.

to get some good info research Solar Pool Heaters and Controllers. Something like this. One of the cheapest automated ways to go. This is probably one of the most cost effective routes.

Hayward GLC-1P-A Solar Pool Heating Control System

Hayward GLC-1P-A Solar Pool Heating Control System. Ships to US/Canada Wide, to order please call +1 (888) 686 7652.

hydrosolar.ca

If your budget is larger you can control the pump on/off and potentially the flow rate but cost will go up significantly from the link above.

Given your message above a simple timer that shuts down your pump might be the quick, easy and cheap way to go??


edit: corrected crappy links

 

[chim]

An aquastat for anywhere between $50 and $200 depending upon wants and needs.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Does your camp have internet?

Since we got internet at our place we have installed a “smart” thermostat (and some cameras), so we can monitor/control things from home.

Without “the net” I cant think of anything besides timers and such.

 

[imarobot]

I have and many ways to accomplish this.

Do you want to re-direct fluid flow at given temps or do you want to turn the pump off?

A pump timer can be had for less than $100 from pool supply places, etc... but would need to know how many amps your pump pulls for accurate cost. Full pump automation might run couple thousand +

On Amazon or from local hardware stores digital 40a timers start around $60 and a 15amp timer can be had for $20.

Temp sensors for say $50 can be bought to send signals to all type of control boxes.
- laminated to the fire box / water jacket / water pipes / etc...
- can be tapped into pvc pipes, into the water jacket, etc....
-etc...

then your controller can adjust say a jandy motorized flow valve (valve maybe $200) and temp sensor $50 and a control panel $1,000.

to get some good info research Solar Pool Heaters and Controllers. Something like this. One of the cheapest automated ways to go. This is probably one of the most cost effective routes.

Hayward GLC-1P-A Solar Pool Heating Control System

Hayward GLC-1P-A Solar Pool Heating Control System. Ships to US/Canada Wide, to order please call +1 (888) 686 7652.

hydrosolar.ca

If your budget is larger you can control the pump on/off and potentially the flow rate but cost will go up significantly from the link above.

Given your message above a simple timer that shuts down your pump might be the quick, easy and cheap way to go??


edit: corrected crappy links

I do not want to re-direct fluid flow. I want to turn the pump off when the fluid cools down.

A timer is an option I thought about but would rather go by temperature. The time it takes the water to cool down would vary and I think temperature monitoring would be more efficient.

I will have to check the circulator current draw, but I believe it’s on a 15A circuit breaker.

 

[imarobot]

An aquastat for anywhere between $50 and $200 depending upon wants and needs.

I looked at some aquastats on Amazon, (thank you for telling me what they are called).

Some can work either by a set temperature or as a timer. I’m thinking I could monitor the temperature by attaching the temp probe to the side of the water pipe.

 

[imarobot]

Does your camp have internet?

Since we got internet at our place we have installed a “smart” thermostat (and some cameras), so we can monitor/control things from home.

Without “the net” I cant think of anything besides timers and such.

Camp does have internet and a smart thermostat and cameras. However, I have no way to monitor the fluid temperature or shut off the circulator pump remotely.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I do not want to re-direct fluid flow. I want to turn the pump off when the fluid cools down.

A timer is an option I thought about but would rather go by temperature. The time it takes the water to cool down would vary and I think temperature monitoring would be more efficient.

I will have to check the circulator current draw, but I believe it’s on a 15A circuit breaker.

excellent... that makes it really easy.

Some hydroponic shops, brewery shops, exotic animals places or Amazon has digital controllers with immersion temp sensors that can control a 15a plug. Cost $50 or so

If more than 1,100w pump no problems similiar in lots of different sizes exist. Inkbird will get you in for about $50. A more commercial unit like Hayward the controller is about $1k and temp probe is about $50 then need to add relay to electrical controlled breaker adds up to almost $1,500 though. So instead of rotating a valve the setup would open/close an electrical circuit of sufficient size

Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller Outlet Thermostat Plug, 2-Stage Outlet Heating and Cooling Mode 1100w, w/Sensor Greenhouse Incubator Brewing Fermentation Reptile

 

[chim]

I looked at some aquastats on Amazon, (thank you for telling me what they are called).

Some can work either by a set temperature or as a timer. I’m thinking I could monitor the temperature by attaching the temp probe to the side of the water pipe.

I've seen them used to start or stop equipment or as part of a control scheme like not allowing an air handler's fan to run without hot water going through the coils.

Usually there's a cap tube that runs to a bulb under the pipe insulation.