Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - Remote Install Help on Aprilaire 600.

(This was sent to my Pvt. Msg. Box and I'm posting here to share with others)


Hi, I have an Aprilaire 600 that my HVAC installer did not finish installing, which I am going to finish. (Another Story)

It is proposed for an upstairs 2nd floor closet location on the wall, on the return line.(photo attached) I realize that this unit will require a Supply feed to it (or maybe I do not, would the natural return airflow be enough?), and I also attached a photo as to where i plan to get this supply line from up in the top attic( have two attics, upper and lower) off the heat/ac air handler unit[First Co. model# 36MBXB-HW].(Hydronic Heat/AC unit=radiant heat in part of the house=boiler) Most humidifier installation I see they are placed very near the unit. Will this unit be fine where it is going to be located in the system farther in the line as shown? (Photos attached) Because of the two heat zones(Upstairs/downstairs), I figure I will have to attach the Supply feed for this Humidifier to the main trunk feed before the zone split, as this will then operate no matter which zone is calling/operating. (My system uses only one return)

Also, I plan to run the drain, probably 3/4" pvc, to the ABS vent stack(located on back side of closet wall in lower attic) with a simple tap, making sure to put in a trap for no sewer gases.

The water supply is already there on an interior opposite wall, which will run up wall, across ceiling to unit.

(I am not concerned at this point in time about the electrical connections or outside sensor placement, although where might I attach the control panel? I would assume on the return trunk line.)

Is the placement point for this unit going to be fine?

Thanks in advance for any help.

It is proposed for an upstairs 2nd floor closet location on the wall, on the return line.(photo attached)
I've never seen it done like this before.
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3d18b8f17d&view=att&th=11f7b66167c4b173&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw

I realize that this unit will require a Supply feed to it (or maybe I do not, would the natural return airflow be enough?), and I also attached a photo as to where i plan to get this supply line from up in the top attic

The duct that is already there is your "supply" side, you need to hook up a "return" going back to the air handler. But with your drawing of where to put the duct should be on the other end of the air handler. (return trunk)

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3d18b8f17d&view=att&th=11f7b66167c4b173&attid=0.4&disp=inline&zw


Also, I plan to run the drain, probably 3/4" pvc, to the ABS vent stack(located on back side of closet wall in lower attic) with a simple tap, making sure to put in a trap for no sewer gases.
How do you plan on tapping into the main stack?


(I am not concerned at this point in time about the electrical connections or outside sensor placement, although where might I attach the control panel? I would assume on the return trunk line.)

Looks like the wire is already been pulled, where does that go to?

What is the model # of your Zone board?

Hi Jay11J,

Thank you for your response.

The Humidifier being in the closet (but, on the second floor close to the main trunk lines and unit) seems out of the ordinary, but if you think about it, it would give me easy access for changing water panel and water supply/drain are protected from freezing temp.. With an air supply blowing over the water panel, which is mounted on the return, wouldn't this be performing its purpose of delivering proper moisture into the system/house?

The opening in the closet on the wall is a return.(Air pulled in going back to air handler) Wouldn't I need to connect a supply to the front of the unit (Arilaire 600) for maximum air flow over the water panel, or would just the pull of air from the return be enough to do the job?

If indeed I need to connect a supply, shouldn't I connect to my supply side of the air handler, but before the zone split, in order that I have air flow to the humidifier at all times, correct?

Connecting a small 3/4 drain line to my ABS vent stack(no sewer or water dumping in upside) would be simple. Just drill and screw in a coupling to handle 3/4 PVC line. Of course making sure all threaded connections are sealed /caulked properly.

The wire in the closet you see goes back to the attic to the Zone Board/Air Handler with plenty to spare

Thw Zone Board I have is a Honeywell EMM-3 Electronic MiniZone Panel

Thanks again for your attention in this matter.

(Still wonder why I can not attach photos/attachments in my posts. It says "You may not post attachments" on the bottom. Strange?)

The Humidifier being in the closet (but, on the second floor close to the main trunk lines and unit) seems out of the ordinary, but if you think about it, it would give me easy access for changing water panel and water supply/drain are protected from freezing temp..
Nothing wrong with that, guess this is my first time seeing this, where I am used to everything is in the basement.


The opening in the closet on the wall is a return.(Air pulled in going back to air handler) Wouldn't I need to connect a supply to the front of the unit (Arilaire 600) for maximum air flow over the water panel, or would just the pull of air from the return be enough to do the job?
I looked at the pictures again, and looks like the return is stacked on top of the supply?? Guess what threw me off at first was when you said "My system uses only one return". I see the multi numbers of flex, thinking, Ok, those are supply ducts.

so, yeah your thinking is correct in your drawing.


Connecting a small 3/4 drain line to my ABS vent stack(no sewer or water dumping in upside) would be simple. Just drill and screw in a coupling to handle 3/4 PVC line. Of course making sure all threaded connections are sealed /caulked properly.
Ok, in the summer months since the unit is not running. may want to dump water in the drain if it dries out or when you start smelling sewer gas.

The Zone Board I have is a Honeywell EMM-3 Electronic MiniZone Panel
Ok, I know some Honeywell Zone board has a humidifier hook up, and yours does not.

So you can either mount the humidistat on the main return duct, or mount it near the t-stat so that way it's easier for you to get at, and see waht's going on, then it being lost up in the attic.

Thanks again for your attention in this matter.

(Still wonder why I can not attach photos/attachments in my posts. It says "You may not post attachments" on the bottom. Strange?)
I am not sure.. but when you do post a reply, do you see the "Insert image" button above?

When you do click on that, a pop up will show up, and you enter the address of the host site that the photo is on.

Jay11J,
Thanks Again. I will proceed to install unit and make the connections. I will write back when it comes time for the wiring.

BTW, I am attaching the photos for everyone else to veiw, if I got insert picture figured out right.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/oneacer/IMG_0603.jpg

/http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/oneacer/IMG_0599.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/oneacer/IMG_0598.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/oneacer/IMG_0603.jpg

I fixed your img code. You had too many codes.

You can see below top part the the correct, lower part is what you did.
[IMG]http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8971/imghelpfi3.png

Just a quick update. I heard back from Aprilaire regarding this remote set-up, and this is what they wrote:
******************************************

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting Aprilaire. We have attached a drawing on how to remote mount a bypass humidifier to this e-mail.

You need to make a sheet metal box to mount the humidifier on and then mount the box to the wall. Then you have a 6" round duct coming off of the humidifier and off of the sheet metal box. Connect one of the 6" round ducts to the supply and one to the return side of the HVAC supply. It doesn't make any difference which one goes to the supply or return.

I hope this answers your questions. Please let us know if you need anything else.

Sincerely,


XXXXX XXXX
Technical Support
Research Products Corporation
XXXX@aprilaire.com
Visit www.aprilaire.com (http://www.aprilaire.com)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/oneacer/RemoteInstall2.jpg