Here in Wisconsin we hit a low of -18 and the system finally hit the point where it couldn't keep up. I got up this morning and the desired temp of 75 on the first floor was not held (we had dropped to 73). The short story and question is: Specific details: Zone 1 (1st floor) Making a call for stage 3 heat Zone 2 (2nd floor) Making a call for stage 1 heat First floor setpoint 75, actual temp 73 2nd floor setpoint 70, actual temp 70 I found that if I made a call for 2nd stage heat on the 2nd floor THEN the zone unit would make an emergency heat call. It would seem that something is configured wrong on the zone unit. I don't see many settings that might impact this. The zone unit has the zone percentage settings and currently both the 2nd floor and the 1st floor are set the same at 70%. Anyone have ideas? Is this a configuration issue or is the zone unit defective or is this the expected behavior (which I wouldn't expect since it means that a zone would drop below the desired set point). Ok, the software engineer in me is digging deep into the intellizone install manual. It discusses staging options. It is currently set to Normal (as shipped). I see it talks about Faster with timer which leads me to believe that if I select this staging option it might engage the electric heat if only one zone needs it. However, the documentation puts in bold that this be avoided. Anyone have details on the exact operation behaviors for the various staging operations?
Intellizone Running stage 3 is really expensive so perhaps Intellizone won't call for it until more than 1 zone requires it. It has the ability for quicker upstaging that might get you what you are after - aux heat for only one zone. Looby recently posted a link to Waterfurnace Engineering docs - navigate it to find Intellizone info. If you are not comfortable changing dip switches, please don't - review the docs - and request your installing contractor to make the change or suggest other options.
I would think it wouldn't operate that way since it could allow one or more areas to drop below the desired setpoint, as in my case. I assume that is the staging options discussed in the DIP switch setup section of the install manual. The problem is that the manual fails to go into detail. The options are: Normal, Quicker, Faster, Faster with Timer. The manual discourages Faster with Timer. If I choose quicker will it allow the electric call to happen if only 1 zone is needing it? The documentation fails to say. I am a embedded engineer by trade so I play with hardware on a regular basis. That is why I have the cover off the zone unit as I want to be able to 'see' what the system is doing. So flipping dip switches....
I remember skimming the manual and seeing that a quicker setting lowered the aggregate zoning percentage needed to upstage from 50 to 40 percent. Not sure that is relevant to your situation or applies to aux heat Another option might be to deemphasize upstairs zone to the 45% setting, allowing downstairs zone to dominate the aggregation calculation I always power Intellizone down before messing with dip switches - not sure necessary but seems prudent. Avoid the one marked "release factory-installed smoke" Also keep this timeless general tech support advice in mind: Alles touristen und non-technishen looken peepers! Das machine is nicht fur der fingerpoken und mittengrabben. Is easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und popencorken mit spitzen sparken. Das machine is diggen by experten only. Is nicht fur gerwerken by das dummkopfen. Das rubbernecken sightseeren keepen das cottenpiken hands in das pockets. Relaxen und watchen das blinkenlights.
I have heard from my installer and he contacted WaterFurnace directly. It seems the system is operating as intended. If a zone system is setup ALL actives zones must be calling for at least a stage 2 heat before one zone can call for stage 3 and have the Aux heat unit enabled.
