STEP 1 Definitions
Interval: The interval is the number of fifteen minute periods that ThermGuard will wait between turning on the heating zone to which it is attached.
Duration: The duration is number of minutes that the heating zone will be turned on.
| STEP 2 ThermGuard Familiarization |
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| On the ThermGuard there are the following items: | ||
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A red LED indicator labeled Duration. | |
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A green LED indicator labeled Interval. | |
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A programming button. | |
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An ON/OFF switch. | |
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Two wires coming from the top of the unit. | |
STEP 3 Turn on ThermGuard
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Once ThermGuard is installed, turn the ON/OFF switch to the ON position. ThermGuard will start by repeating the last programmed state. It will first blink the green LED to represent the number of fifteen minute periods between calling for hot water. This time period is also known as the interval. It will then blink the red LED to represent the number of minutes that hot water will be called for. This time period is also known as the duration. |
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Once the program has been displayed as described above, ThermGuard will begin to time the number of fifteen minute periods last programmed, or interval. When it has completed counting the fifteen minute periods, it will turn on your zone for the number of minutes, or duration, last programmed. ThermGuard comes pre-programmed for an interval of two fifteen minute periods and a duration of five minutes. This means that when ThermGuard is first turned on, it will turn on your heating zone for five minutes every 1/2 hour. |
STEP 4 Changing the Program
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To program press and hold the program until the green LED lights up (about 3 seconds). This is your signal that ThermGuard is ready to accept the interval programming. If you hold the button down too long and the red LED lights up, just release the button and wait about three seconds. ThermGuard will restart by repeating the last program and be ready for another try. |
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Once the green LED lights up, release the button momentarily. To program the interval you want ThermGuard to wait before turning on your heating system, simply press the button for the number of fifteen minute periods you want to wait. In other words, press the button four times to set ThermGuard for a one hour interval. The maximum interval is 96 presses, or 24 hours. Once you have tapped in the interval, release the button until the red LED lights up. This is your signal that ThermGuard is ready to accept duration programming. |
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When the red LED lights up, tap in the number of minutes you would like ThermGuard to circulate hot water through your system. The maximum duration is 96 taps, or 96 minutes. When you have tapped the button for the desired duration, release the button and wait for ThermGuard to repeat your program back to you. |
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ThermGuard will repeat the program back to you by blinking the green and red LEDs to correspond with the number of fifteen minute periods and minutes you’ve chosen for your interval and duration. |
STEP 5 Verify operation
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Once ThermGuard has been installed and programmed, the proper operation can be verified without actually waiting for the interval to go by. |
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Turn the ON/OFF switch to the OFF position. |
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Press and hold the programming button while moving the ON/OFF switch to the ON position. Then, release the programming button. |
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ThermGuard will repeat the last program by flashing the green and red LEDs to correspond with the interval and duration you’ve chosen. |
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The green LED will flash about once a second for a period of one minute. After a minute, the red LED will flash once a second for a period of one minute. This indicates that you are in the special verification mode. When the red LED is flashing, ThermGuard should be circulating hot water. |
IMPORTANT
Verify that ThermGuard flashes the green and red LEDs for about one minute each and repeats this cycle. If the green LED flashes for a minute and the red LED does not flash for a minute (it may flash for a short period of time), ThermGuard needs to be adjusted for your system. Turn off ThermGuard and skip to step 6 to adjust ThermGuard’s settings to your system.
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If the green and red LEDs flash for one minute each, it is time to verify the boiler is supplying hot water to this zone. Here are two examples of how to do this: |
1) Find a cold spot in the zone, such as a radiant heater located on your baseboard. Make sure this zone starts cool and gets hot as ThermGuard calls for hot water.
2) Go to your boiler room and verify the zone is enabled by looking for an LED on your zone controller which indicates that the zone is enabled.
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Go to your boiler room and verify that there are no unusual rapid clicking noises. |
IMPORTANT
Go to your boiler room and verify that there is no unusual rapid clicking noises that may be coming from the zone relay. If there is a rapid clicking noise ThermGuard needs to be adjusted to your system. Turn off ThermGuard and skip to step 6 to adjust ThermGuard’s settings to your system.
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If the zone is getting warm to the touch and there are no rapid clicking noises in the boiler room then ThermGuard is working properly and you are done! Congratulations, you have successfully installed your ThermGuard unit. |
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The last task is to ensure the existing thermostat functions properly. Turn up the temperature on the thermostat and ensure the system operates. When operation is verified, set the thermostat to the appropriate level for your home. Note that with ThermGuard in place, you will probably be able to lower the thermostat set point in unused rooms of your house and thus save money on your heating bill. When the thermostat cycles your boiler, ThermGuard will re-initiate the interval countdown once the boiler is turned off. In this way, ThermGuard will not circulate hot water if the boiler has just been running. |
STEP 6 ThermGuard adjustment to your system
This step is called “ThermGuard adjustment” and once ThermGuard is adjusted, it will not need to be adjusted again. ThermGuard will retain the setting even if power is removed from the unit. This step is only required if ThermGuard is not operating properly with the factory settings and is usually only required when ThermGuard is connected to some high-impedance input electrical modules such as Taco or Erie controllers.
There are four configurable power settings for ThermGuard. These steps will try each setting as required until proper operation is verified.
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Turn ThermGuard ON/OFF switch OFF then ON. |
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Press and hold the programming button for about 6 seconds or until the RED (not green) LED lights up. |
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Release the button and tap it two times. This configures ThermGuard to the second power setting. |
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Release the button and wait for ThermGuard to repeat the last program by flashing the LEDs. |
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Repeat step 5 to verify operation. |
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If the operation is successful, you are done. |
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If the operation fails turn the ThermGuard ON/OFF switch OFF then ON. |
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Press and hold the programming button for about 6 seconds or until the RED (not green) LED lights up. |
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Release the button and tap it three times. This configures ThermGuard to the third power setting. |
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Release the button and wait for ThermGuard to repeat the last program by flashing the LEDs. |
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Repeat step 5 to verify operation. |
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If the operation is successful, you are done. |
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If the operation fails turn the ThermGuard ON/OFF switch OFF then ON. |
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Press and hold the programming button for about 6 seconds or until the RED (not green) LED lights up. |
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Release the button and tap it four times. This configures ThermGuard to the fourth power setting. |
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Release the button and wait for ThermGuard to repeat the last program by flashing the LEDs. |
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Repeat step 5 to verify operation. |
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If the operation is successful, you are done. |
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If there is still a problem, please call the Bear Mountain Design customer support (406) 587-2478. |
STEP 7 Choosing your Interval and Duration
Each home and situation is different and this information is presented as an example. Bear Mountain Design has no way of knowing every situation and therefore created ThermGuard as a user programmable device. Each homeowner, using the guidelines below, will need to determine the proper settings for their application. ThermGuard comes with a default interval of 30 minutes and a default duration of five minutes.
If at any time you wish to know the current interval and duration settings, momentarily press the programming button the ThermGuard will blink the LEDs corresponding to the current interval and duration. ThermGuard will restart the interval timing in response to a button press.
Setting the Duration
The best way to determine the duration is to turn up your thermostat and time how long it takes for hot to get through your zone. This can be done by going to the boiler room and timing how long it takes for the return line for the zone to get hot. CAUTION: THE PIPES CAN GET VERY HOT AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS IF TOUCHED. DO NOT TOUCH THE PIPES DIRECTLY. USE SOME KIND OF INSULATOR FOR YOUR HAND SUCH AS A POT HOLDER OR ATTACH A MEAT THERMOMETER TO THE PIPE. IN NO WAY DOES BEAR MOUNTAIN DESIGN SUGGEST HOLDING ON TO OR TOUCHING A HEATING PIPE. If it takes 3 minutes for the zone to get warm, add another two minutes to the time to allow the temperature to saturate the area around the pipe. If the weather becomes very cold additional minutes should be added.
Setting the Interval
Each home and situation is different. The interval setting should be set according to your particular situation. For instance, if you have an exposed pipe running through an unheated attic, you may require a shorter interval than someone who is just lowering their thermostat temperature. If you will be staying in your home and don’t mind adjusting the settings from time-to-time depending on the weather conditions, you could set the interval to 3-4 hours. In colder weather, you would set the interval to a shorter period. The interval could range down to one hour on nights with temperatures of –30 and a strong wind.
If you are not going to be in the home to make adjustments, a more conservative approach would be to set the interval to 2 hours and determine the duration as above. This should accommodate most cold day situations.
Tips and Suggestions
Multiple unit synchronization
If multiple ThermGuard units are installed in one home, they can be synchronized so that the boiler is heated only once for multiple heating loops. Simply switch all the units off and turn them all back on within a minute of each other.
This step may need to be repeated occasionally since each time one of the thermostats cycle, the ThermGuard attached to the thermostat will restart it’s timing cycle.