Beacon control is expanded to large refrigeration systems
Heatcraft markets its refrigeration equipment under the Bohn, Chandler, Climate Control, and Larkin brand names. Systems available with Beacon range from 15- to 40-hp outdoor condensing units, and dual-compressor units up to 80 hp matched with large unit coolers.
The Beacon system is a complete, factory-installed refrigeration control system with an integrated, microcomputer-based electronic control board preset for common industry settings, says the company. The Smart Controller option allows for setting of system setpoints, such as superheat, defrost, and temperature, from a conveniently mounted location, such as the office.
The controller can also be hooked up to a computer via modem for remote system monitoring from a PC or laptop.
“The Beacon is ideally suited for larger applications because of the Smart Controller option,” says Ray Clarke, engineering manager of Heatcraft’s low side group. “Larger systems are typically mounted in large warehouses, high in the ceiling. Smart Controller can be mounted at ground level in an office, which makes it easier to monitor the equipment and program settings.
“A technician would not need a crane or scissor lift to adjust settings as they would on a conventional system.”
Another option available with the system is Smart Defrost, a setting within the Smart Controller that senses how much frost has accumulated since a system’s last defrost and determines when defrost is necessary.
Clarke says, “With a conventional system, you program how many defrosts you would like and the system is going to defrost that many, regardless of what’s going on. Smart Defrost looks at a number of parameters and determines if it can skip a defrost.
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“By skipping a defrost, you can save quite a bit of energy.”
He adds, “Customers say they have actually gone from four defrosts per day to two.”
Beacon also is said to save energy due to the floating head system in the compressor, which allows head pressure to float during low ambient conditions.
With this system, “The compressor doesn’t have to work as hard,” says Clarke. The lower pressures can reduce compression ratio, enhancing system operation and reducing run time, to lower energy costs.
The Beacon system first became commercially available in 1996. There are now more than 3,000 systems installed.
For more information, contact the company: 770-465-5600; www. heatcraftrpd.com (website).
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