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V18-B Installation and 
Operation Manual 

Thank you for purchasing the worlds most advanced and efficient hydronic backup heating solution for air-to-water heat 
pumps. The V18 adds backup heat in more precise amount, with variable & automatic real time control. For use with 
Chiltrix air-to-water heat pumps. 

 The new B-Model uses the Chiltrix CX34 onboard controls and does not need a 
separate V18 controller, requires CX34 firmware P228-S10-V200B26 or later, it 
generally applies to all CX34 units produced after November 2019. Some older 
units also have this firmware version but it must be verified. 

WARNING!

 

THIS PRODUCT USES HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY!

 

DO NOT OPEN OR SERVICE THIS DEVICE UNLESS POWER HAS BEEN 
DISCONNECTED

 

This product must be assembled and installed by a licensed electrician in 
a manner that conforms with all national and local electrical and safety 
codes. All high voltage electrical components meet UL requirements. 

SERVICE OR REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED ONLY BY A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN

 

DO NOT DRY FIRE THIS DEVICE / INSTALL VERTICALLY ONLY

 

USE 208-240V 30a Circuit with GFCI Breaker.

 

Note special procedure for chilled water capable systems. 

Read the entire manual before beginning installation. 

Follow all instructions. 

 

Version 1.0 

Summary of Contents for V18-B

Page 1: ...19 Some older units also have this firmware version but it must be verified WARNING THIS PRODUCT USES HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY DO NOT OPEN OR SERVICE THIS DEVICE UNLESS POWER HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED This product must be assembled and installed by a licensed electrician in a manner that conforms with all national and local electrical and safety codes All high voltage electrical components meet UL req...

Page 2: ...he V18 with the goal being that only the needed amount of extra heat is added Power increments of adjustment as small as 55 watts 188 BTU are possible as needed for precise control Note the 5 5 kW rating is for 240v line voltage and is equal to 18 760 BTU Actual max heating BTU is determined by your local line voltage Standard included element is rated for 240v 5500w and 18 760 BTU Voltage deratin...

Page 3: ... pipe fittings are NPT 2 female use a bushing or adapter to match it to your piping Always use Teflon tape dope for any threaded pipe connection particularly important to liberally apply when using with stainless steel fittings Note water flow will enter from the bottom 3 ...

Page 4: ...he system or before any G3 valve if used See proper placement in the following examples 4 The V18 must be installed in an upright orientation vertical and the water flow entry should be from the bottom The bottom or water entry end is considered to be the end closest to the removable panel as shown in all pictures ...

Page 5: ...coils air handler or buffer tank If DHW is used the V18 would be before the G1 valve and before any loads See drawings below The V18 should be mounted on a board with the heating element mounted vertically Mounting it horizontally could trap air bubbles that could cause flow or overheating problems THE V18 MUST MOUNT VERTICALLY DO NOT MOUNT HORIZONTALLY 5 ...

Page 6: ...ted together series piping note they are wired separately for power each with a 30a GFCI circuit for main power Control circuits are wired in parallel and the CX34 controller can manage up to 3x V18 units Shown below two V18Bs piped in series 6 ...

Page 7: ... rate of addition of heat to the Chiltrix main loop The power from one circuit breaker pole L1 passes through the relay box and connects directly to the in line heater s thermal overload interrupt device Power from the other circuit breaker pole L2 is connected to the SSR and its conductor is connected to the SSR s terminal 2 The SSR s terminal 1 is connected to the in line heater s heating elemen...

Page 8: ...The requirement is to prevent air from entering the V18 inside the white ABS cover and contacting the cold pipe or components which could cause condensation to form and accumulate inside the unit For higher humidity locations you may also consider filling the entire cavity but not cover the reset button with an electronics grade RTV silicone potting material rated for this type of application When...

Page 9: ...ire on the solid state relay SSR If more than one in line heater SSR arrangement is used then a jumper cable is used It consists of a cable connecting the red to and black to on both SSR s putting them in a parallel configuration A junction box could also be used for this purpose see illustrations on page 6 9 CX34 Main Logic PCB shown above ...

Page 10: ...ment assure that all inner and outer sealing surfaces are clean and free of debris prior to installing the new o rings and element or leaks may occur Step 1 Step 2 10 Visually inspect the element after installation and verify that that the element is not in contact with the inside wall of the heater body Failure to do so may cause failure ...

Page 11: ...s If you are using 2 or 3 heaters with the same V18 controller the elements may be of different watts ratings as long as they are rated at the same voltage Use the total watts of all elements that are connected to the same controller For parameter P103 The standard element is 5500w A max 6000w element can be used 11 Visually inspect the element after installation and verify that that the element i...

Page 12: ...ter units together in series Install 2 NTP bushings or adapter fittings to match up to the plumbing Use Teflon tape on all treaded fittings to prevents leaks Once the heater units are installed pressurize your loop and check for any leaks Flush fill and pressurize the loop according to the Chiltrix Installation and Operations Manual 12 The V18 must be installed in an upright orientation vertical a...

Page 13: ...rd V18b new with original element is 5500W Default 5000W If multiple V18s are used on one CX34 the P103 value will be the total W of all V18 units connected to the CX34 All V18b units used on the same CX34 must have the same element V rating but do not necessarily need to be the same W rating P106 AC this is the rated element voltage allowed range 0 500V this is generally set at 240v verify the ra...

Page 14: ... E2 V18b will turn on If the above 2 conditions are satisfied V18b will start Only when E2 is on the SSR control will start E2 on off control is as explained below 1 E2 will start during defrost and stop if AC inlet water temperature is or to Target inlet water temperature 3c 2 When the compressor is on and E2 starts the CX34 will re target the AC inlet water temperature set point by 3C If E2 stop...

Page 15: ...15 ...

Page 16: ...rologix controller must be set at to least 1 degree higher ambient trigger than what is set as the V18 parameter 3 outdoor air trigger If using the standard CX34 onboard outdoor reset control this does not apply Multiple V18s When using multiple V18s parameter 103 rated watts should be entered as the total of all elements Both all elements must be the of same rated voltage Do not install more than...

Page 17: ...ow Visual indicators AFTER DISCONNECTING AC V18b POWER Remove the cover from the gang box exposing the Solid State Relay If the units are receiving a firing signal the LED on the SSR s will be lit and may be flashing If the LEDs are lit then power will be sent to the units when the circuit breaker is on As noted the second level safety feature we have included is a safety switch a UL Listed bi met...

Page 18: ... is suspected turn off the circuit breakers feeding power to the backup heater Disconnect the SSR from the output signal connection Have a licensed Electrician check the SSR before turning the circuit breakers back on Another cause may be if the V18b heating element is too close to or touching the interior sidewall of the V18b heater vessel Insufficient flow particularly with multiple V18bs in ser...

Page 19: ... which could cause condensation to form and accumulate inside the unit For high humidity locations you may also consider filling the entire cavity but not cover the reset button with an electronics grade silicone potting material rated for this type of application Example GC 19 160 or similar gcelectronics com Make sure power is disconnected before and during this operation When using a silicone p...

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