Hi Brian, Jason, All,
I believe the heater you have is an e.l.m. Leblanc made in France. When
Pierre, founder of Controlled Energy Corporation, brought these to the
US many moons ago the Aquastar name was added to the cover graphics. The
BS model means that this is a temperature (solar) modulated water heater
while the vast majority (B models) are flow modulated heaters. Following
the Bosch takeover of Controlled Energy, they still kept parts for these
(125,000 BTU/h and its big brother) units not only available but very
reasonably priced. Since the Bosch tankless division became managed by
ex Rinnai people the key parts (thermocouples and temperature sensor for
the BS model) for these old workhorses have become unavailable through
US parts distribution. One variation of planned obsolescence? You decide.
I have tried to source these key parts through a German contact without
success. If someone has a French contact that speaks tankless, you might
have more success. If you need a part, other than those listed above,
contact me off list, I can probably help you.
Regarding the hydro-generated spark model, I'm very glad you have had
success with the unit. At the point in time when you need to replace
either one of the two electronic parts that make up this sub system,
your fuel savings will have been negated many fold over.
"...Using technology for technology's sake produces SST's (Super Sonic
Transports)." (Anon.)
Best wishes,
Bill Loesch
Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
314 631 1094
On 02-Oct-13 12:35 AM, Brian Teitelbaum wrote:
Hi Jason,
I used to get parts from Controlled Energy Corp in Vermont, but I haven't
contacted them in at least 8 years, so I don't know if they still have them for
the old units.
Brian
AEE Solar
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jason Lerner
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 8:49 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] On demand WH
Hello Brian,
I am running one of these older French models at home as well. Do you happen
to have a source for parts?
Thanks,
Jason Lerner
Waldron Power and Light Co.
On Sep 30, 2013, at 9:39 AM, Brian Teitelbaum wrote:
Hi Bill,
I'm still running an Aquastar 125BS (original French model, before Bosch bought
them) that I installed in 1990. I've had to rebuild the water valve once (after
a freeze up; it's in an unheated outside closet on the north side of my house),
the high-temp sensor once, and I needed to replace the thermocouple a few times
when I was just using a small propane tank to run it. I installed a 250 gallon
propane tank in the late nineties and haven't had to replace the thermocouple
since.
The Aquastar still works great, even when my incoming water temp is near
freezing. I just have to use less cold-water mix during the winter.
Are you finding the new Bosch models to be this reliable?
Brian Teitelbaum
AEE Solar
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill
Loesch
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 5:00 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] On demand WH
Hi Bill, et al,
There are two major categories of tankless water heaters-natural draft (which
work very similar in control aspect to a conventional tank i.e..
no electric required, some form of pilot light) and power vented (all power
vented machines have need for at least a fan, most a computer with some form of
display included - if your own body is incapable of telling you if the water is
sufficiently hot).
Of the Big Five (major players in the tankless market) all manufacture one or
more models of power vented tankless. Today, only Bosch markets a natural draft
tankless. Bosch offers more than one model of natural draft tankless, standing
pilot and intermittent pilot. If you like simple, trouble free, and low life
cycle cost, you have but one choice.
http://www.bosch-climate.us/files/201304181918370.520PN_English_06.201
1.pdf
What must be properly addressed with _any_ tankless is intake and exhaust
venting, gas line sizing, and water quality. Since this isn't a tank, the pilot
flame does almost nothing in terms of freeze prevention.
Some manufacturers state flow rate for their heaters without also providing
temp rise. Flow rate without temp rise is meaningless. The above is a 117,000
BTU/h machine. Sometimes winter ground water temperatures are significantly
colder than summertime temps. If you want hot water in the winter, too, make
sure you use the appropriate temp rise. Hardness is the biggest issue with
water quality, if you scale the heat exchanger you won't get the performance
advertised. If you have hard water, a water softener or descaling _as required_
is necessary.
I am a big fan of tankless and have been since '89 when I was first introduced
to them as a user. Today, I install and troubleshoot all five major
manufacturers. Co-located with the load, tankless provides you not only endless
hot water but also instant hot water.
Good luck,
Bill Loesch
Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
314 631 1094
On Sat, Sep 28, 2013 at 10:19 PM, frenergy wrote:
Off-grid Wrenches,
I'm working on a load sheet and am having a hard time finding
standby and while firing electrical usage for a propane-fired on
demand water heater. Do they some/all have standing pilots, glow
bars, something else? I'm guessing the standby power needs are very
low but we all know how even 10-15 watts adds up over 24 hrs when
you're off-grid.
If any body has some actual numbers rather than just pdf.specs
(though manus specs might help some), I would be most grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
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