[RE-wrenches] On demand WH

Wed Oct 2 05:14:16 PDT 2013

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: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] 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: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] 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
>>>
>>>      ------------------------------
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List-Archive:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List-Archive:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2014.0.4142 / Virus Database: 3604/6707 - Release Date: 09/28/13
>
>

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4142 / Virus Database: 3604/6707 - Release Date: 09/28/13