Chinese heater output control

alanwilson

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Just installed a Chinese diesel heater (5kW): worked perfectly first time. Didn't use the silencer (pressed, not welded), but didn't need it: very quiet running. The main problem is deciphering the "manual": eventually got most of it sussed, but can't find an explanation of how to control the output.
It is easy to set the target temperature; but you can also set the pump pulse rate in Hz and the fan speed: why?
Setting the target temperature automatically produces high output until that is reached, then lowers the output: presumably by reducing either the pump pulse rate and/or the fan speed, so why would you want to separately set either the pump rate or the fan speed?
What am I missing?
 
The thermostat mode does as you say. It ramps up to full speed until it reaches temp, then idles to it's lowest setting. Running in Hz mode allows you to set it to a constant heat output, which you may find works better for you in practice. I run mine in Hz mode and I now have a good idea depending on outside ambient temperature what setting I will need to set it to, in order to keep the cabin at a nice even temp. The thermostat inside the controller isn't that accurate and also dependant on where you site the controller.

I'm not sure you can alter the fan speed, as that is dependant on the fuel pump speed as well, since the same motor runs both the heating fan and the combustion air fan. You can go into the hidden settings menu and alter it (min and max fan speed, with a linear x, y line between both of those, vs. min and max fuel pump speeds) but mess with those at your peril.
 
Thanks, Stevie: I take your point about the accuracy of the thermostat. I'll try both methods & see. The combustion air fan speed can be set independently of the pump pulse rate, but I assume that altering one automatically alters the other. Just curious as to why that option is available at all: I'd really like to know what happens if you set the highest pump rate and fan speed, then control it by temperature: which overrides which? I'll just have to try it & see! I'm always messing with things at my peril, but have reached 71 & am still alive...
 
With regard to the pump speed and fan speed (in the settings menu), what you should find is minimum and maximum pump speed, e.g. 1.3 & 5.1Hz, and minimum and maximum fan speeds, e.g. 1450 & 4500. In effect what this does is set 1.3Hz pump speed at 1450 rpm fan speed, and 5.1Hz pump speed at 4500 rpm, and everything in between those is linear and automatically worked out by the controller. What you need to be aware of is that a certain amount of fuel per second also requires a certain amount of air to be introduced, and you really need a CO meter at the exhaust to make sure that you are getting a good, clean burn. Incomplete combustion due to too much fuel / not enough air can quickly lead to the burn chamber and heat exchanger sooting up. If it works cleanly out of the box on the settings that it has been programmed with, then best to leave well alone...
 
agree with all that but would caution against trying to get more out of the heater by fiddling with the pump rate. A high pump rate ,especially when coupled with a slow fan will overheat your unit and cause distortion. In theory the overheat protection will cut out your unit before this happens but if it gets over hot and then stops without the fan running ( which it shouldn't in theory but it happens) it can kill your heater very quickly.
 
Hey I just found your forum. I have a heater and even though the controller looks like everyone else’s there’s no time, and what everyone is pushing to get to the pulse rate only turns on/off a 10 hr timer. Does anyone have this controller and know how to turn down the insanely high pulse rate it comes with stock?
 
The thermostat mode does as you say. It ramps up to full speed until it reaches temp, then idles to it's lowest setting. Running in Hz mode allows you to set it to a constant heat output, which you may find works better for you in practice. I run mine in Hz mode and I now have a good idea depending on outside ambient temperature what setting I will need to set it to, in order to keep the cabin at a nice even temp. The thermostat inside the controller isn't that accurate and also dependant on where you site the controller.

I'm not sure you can alter the fan speed, as that is dependant on the fuel pump speed as well, since the same motor runs both the heating fan and the combustion air fan. You can go into the hidden settings menu and alter it (min and max fan speed, with a linear x, y line between both of those, vs. min and max fuel pump speeds) but mess with those at your peril.
My golden rule when tampering with things I don't really understand is to make a note of the settings you start with so that you can reset then if necessary.
 
Hey I just found your forum. I have a heater and even though the controller looks like everyone else’s there’s no time, and what everyone is pushing to get to the pulse rate only turns on/off a 10 hr timer. Does anyone have this controller and know how to turn down the insanely high pulse rate it comes with stock?
Some of these heaters come with a controller that has limited functions namely the ones with the 3 bladed fan symbol and are unable to alter the fuel and pump settings from the factory set options.
 
Hey I just found your forum. I have a heater and even though the controller looks like everyone else’s there’s no time, and what everyone is pushing to get to the pulse rate only turns on/off a 10 hr timer. Does anyone have this controller and know how to turn down the insanely high pulse rate it comes with stock?
I have the same blue controller. Press and hold the buttons to access setting are different and it doesn't have a time setting.
Did you figure out if the pulse rate could be changed?
The Plaateau mode, hold ok and the gear button down at same time, changes the altitude settings but that is also automatic.
 
My golden rule when tampering with things I don't really understand is to make a note of the settings you start with so that you can reset then if necessary.
Technofear.
With mine after installation with the most basic contoller it came with,eventually worked out how to make the thing operate by refering to the temp in the cabin rather than the heater itself .
Took a picture of the display with my phone camera
Never ever touched it gain...ever.
 
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