When your customer is ready to add automation or upgrade their boiler controller, use our Boiler Controller Selection Guide to pick the best choice. Lakewood has four different models of boiler controllers, and we want to help you sort out what features separate them. And if you want to just cut to the chase, we have a summary chart here.
Number of Outputs
How many valves, pumps or other devices do you want to control? Count the total number of “things” that you want to control. At Lakewood, we have a range of controllers by number of outputs:
- Model 150 – 3 outputs
- Model 1575e – 4 outputs
- Model 3175 – 5 outputs
- NexSys – 6 outputs upgradeable to 10. You might use all 10 if you are using one NexSys controller for up to four boilers.
Number of Inputs
Building on your answer to how many outputs you need, how will you control each output? Boiler configurations can use common d/a tanks, feed systems, and of course a range of chemicals to control corrosion and heat transfer. Here are the inputs that our controllers can handle:
- Model 150 – 1 conductivity, 1 water meter
- Model 1575e – 1 conductivity, 2 water meters, plus one of pH, ORP, or secondary conductivity
- Model 3175 – 1 conductivity, 2 water meters, plus one of pH, ORP, or secondary conductivity
- NexSys – 1-4 main conductivity inputs (for up to 4 boilers), plus 2-4 water meters, plus 4-8 additional 4-20mA inputs. Need more? NexSys can add a lot, probably more than you need – call us!
Scheduled Feeds
Most chemical programs have some scheduled feeds, and our controllers have a range of capacities for different schedules:
- Model 150 – 6 scheduled feeds
- Model 1575e – 12 scheduled feeds
- Model 3175 – 12 scheduled feeds
- NexSys – 16 scheduled feeds
Remote access options
You are probably being asked to cover more accounts than ever before. Remote data access allows you to get system performance data from offsite, and this can help you keep good control without the time of an extra site visit. Our traditional boiler controllers (Model 150, 1575e) can give you remote data access via our OnSight Remote Access System, which logs data and creates graphs. This can upgrade your service reports as well as provide remote monitoring including email/text notifications.
The Model 3175 (new in 2021) logs data into a CSV that you can send to yourself, and it can be configured to send email or text notifications of alarm conditions.
The NexSys system logs all system data plus integrates with BACnet and/or Modbus Building Management Systems. Further, the NexSys allows not only remote data monitoring but also remote control of the system, allowing you to change setpoints, deadbands, alarm points, feed schedules, etc. This remote access is standard.
Future Proof It
Finally, think through not only your immediate needs for this system today but where could it progress to? Will you be adding a second biocide in the future? Will you add pH monitoring later? Consider the impact of those choices now to ensure you don’t run into a dead-end with controller limitations later.
In the end, this Boiler Controller Selection Guide should help you choose the right controller for your application. Our controllers are available with a 2 day lead time, so there is no waiting to get the best water treatment automation in place for your customer. Contact us with any questions of course!
0 comments on “Boiler Controller Selection Guide”