It’s that time of year again. We invite AHR Expo exhibitors to tell us what’s new since last year. We whittle their releases into manageable portions. You get to do a little recon before you reach New York about which booths to put on your convention center dance card. Pack this along with your comfy shoes, and you’ll be ready to roam the aisles.
COOLING TOWERS
Protec’sFWS Series’ single-, double-, and multi-cell cooling tower configurations are designed for commercial, institutional, and industrial loads. All major components of the series have been developed to ensure maximum efficiency with low energy consumption, according to the manufacturer. Other features include a cross-flow design for ease of maintenance and a small footprint.TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTERS AND SENSORS
The HUMICAP® Series HMD/W/60/70 humidity and temperature transmitters fromVaisalafeature 4 to 20mA loop powered or voltage inputs, +2% rh accuracy, and on-site calibration. The HUMICAP is available in three models: U, humidity only; Y, humidity and temperature; and T, temperature only.Building Automation Products, Inc.is showing its low-profile Decora Style room unit, which fits inside a Decora Style wall plate. It features measurement and display of local temperature with optional pushbutton setpoint adjustment. The room temperature is shown on an easy-to-read LCD in either °F or °C (field selectable via front pushbuttons for setpoint models). The setpoint values are transmitted as resistive values for easy configuration with the controller. The sensor and setpoint outputs can be configured for “common ground” or “differential” controller inputs.
DEHUMIDIFIERS
The 2.5-ton DryMAX system fromVital Technologies, Inc.will be featured. The DryMAX system removes up to 14 lb of water/hr and dehumidifies in heating, cooling, and neutral air modes. The system is available in ducted or ductless mini-split style indoor units that are paired with air cooled or water cooled condensing units, and the coils are coated, making it suitable for retrofit or new construction.CONDENSATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS / PUMPS
ProTechwill highlight its full line of venting products to effectively manage condensate in single and multiple high-efficiency appliance applications. Products include pitch assist vent lengths that are rotated and adjusted to provide ¼- to ½-in. pitch in the horizontal branch tees above the boilers; tees of various lengths that feature 4 in. horizontal adjustability to each other, fully welded seams, which are air and water tight by design and permanent; and right and left expandable concentric, allowing connection to most tankless water heaters regardless of orientation of air intake on the appliance and wall thickness.ProTech will also showcase its products for 3- to 24-in. dia systems that are available in its FasNSeal® and FasNSeal® W2 product lines; boot tees that facilitate the use of longer runs and provide up to 40% less pressure drop than normal tees; and the company’s completely welded tees, a feature found in its 3 to 10-in. dia tees in both single- and double-wall construction.
SOFTWARE
Tridiumwill preview its new Sedona Framework™ and have on display their new JACE® family of touch screen embedded controllers. Complementing Tridium’s NiagaraAX Framework®, Sedona is an open source software development framework that provides a complete platform for developing, connecting, and managing small, low-level embedded devices. Adding to this, the company will be demonstrating the latest version of Niagara and Niagara Security 1.1, the company’s open, Web-based security management solution.CONTROLLERS
Reliable Controls®will showcase its MACH-ProSys™, a 32-bit based BACnet® high-performance building controller. The MACH-ProSys™ provides high-speed 10/100 Ethernet; SMART-Net communications; 12 inputs and eight outputs; and protocol support for BACnet, RCP, and Modbus RTU, and TCP. The MACHProSys controller database allows users to define up to 160 universal I/O on a single address. Additional I/O points are added to the MACHProSys using convenient MACH-ProPoint™ I/O expansion modules. Up to seven MACH-ProPoint™ expansion modules can be added to each MACHProSys controller.Alertonwill feature its updated VAViH-SD BACnet controller. Preset, user-configurable DDC DIP switches facilitate setup by enabling users to select preinstalled DDC applications. An integrated direct-coupled, brushless Honeywell actuator offers high reliability and low maintenance. An additional binary output and an additional universal analog input with jumper increase the VAViH’s capacity and configuration options. Presenting a convenient option for retrofits, the unit’s integrated actuator is left or right mountable and is replaceable with common tools. The VAViH also features a sleek, updated design.
MOTORS
The new AEGIS SGR™ Conductive MicroFiber™ shaft grounding brush fromElectro Static Technologyis designed to improve the reliability of HVACR systems by dramatically extending motor life, according to the manufacturer. Unlike conventional shaft grounding brushes, which wear out quickly and lose their effectiveness, the AEGIS SGR’s conductive microfibers work with virtually no friction or wear and last for the life of the motor, with no rpm limitations. The AEGIS SGR is easily installed by sliding the brush over either end of the motor shaft and locking it in place with simple screw-on mounting brackets.FANS AND BLOWERS
ebm-papst Inc. will exhibit the HRG134 combustion air blower, specifically designed for oil-fired condensing boilers. The HRG134 features a compact design, and the ability to achieve a very high-pressure range while attaining low power consumption - resulting in significant energy-savings.BOILERS
AERCOwill be introducing its AERCO Modulex line of light commercial condensing boilers, available in six different sizes. Each Modulex boiler combines between two and seven independent, 151,500 Btuh, pre-assembled thermal modules housed in a common enclosure. If a single module requires maintenance or repair, the other module(s) in the boiler can maintain the system load requirements. Equipped with a boiler communications module (BCM) to enhance communications and support BAS integration, the units are CSA-approved for propane installations and for breech venting of multiple units through a ceiling or sidewall.Also from the company, its Model CFV is a commercial single-pass steam or hot water vertical boiler. UL and cUL approved sizes range from 10 to 40 hp. Utilizing a premix burner, the CFV provides NOx levels <30 ppm, noise emission <70 dBA, 4:1 turndown and operating at 85% efficiency.
BOILER CONTROLS
Heat-Timer Corporationhas consolidated its entire line of popular boiler sequencing controls into just two easy-to-order controls: the SQ Elite-8T (for temperature applications), and the SQ Elite-8S (for steam applications). The new SQ Elite enclosure is small and well-suited for light commercial applications. The SQ Elite series incorporates many features that are field programmable, including operation modes and outdoor reset control. The base SQ control can operate up to eight boiler stages. Control capability can be expanded via Heat-Timer’s SQ-EXT Extension Modules, making it possible to control up to 24 stages.Cleaver-Brooks will be helping facilities reduce their carbon footprint through the introduction of its new line of green gas, light oil, and combination fuel burners at this year’s Expo. Pro-Fire V offers up to 10:1 turndown on natural gas, as well as the option for sub-30 ppm operation throughout the firing range. It’s well suited for use with water tube boilers in commercial and industrial applications, showing solid performance at emissions levels of less than 30 ppm NOx, and less than 20 ppm NOx on selected applications. Other features include a unique air damper design for optimal flow control, quiet operation, and ISO 9001 certification.