Plum EcoMAX boiler microcontroller in nuances and details

In our publications, we have repeatedly raised the topic of control of boiler units and modern boiler houses, primarily those operating on solid fuels. So far, this is the only type of fuel that can claim renewability and is inexpensive. In fact, we are talking about the fuel processing of agricultural and logging waste. Today we will talk about how it implements boiler controller Plum EcoMAX.

Despite the advantages of fuel pellets, they remain the same solid fuel, when burned, it is possible to achieve maximum efficiency, but only with the support of certain characteristics of the combustion process. This is what the Polish Plum EcoMAX boiler controller "does" not only in solid fuel boilers and pellet burners FOCUS.

Among specialists and experienced consumers, the Plum EcoMAX microcontroller belongs to the premium class, and the boiler unit equipped with it is considered a "premium" class boiler. Our goal of this publication is to tell you what Plum EcoMAX can do. And how much better its quality and functionality are than products of this class from other manufacturers. Let's digress right away and recall that FOCUS solid fuel boilers and pellet burners are equipped with two independent microcontrollers, which creates quite extensive conditions for settings.

Considering that the manufacturer's website is quite difficult to find, we recommend that you visit it yourself: https://www.plum.pl/en/project/ecomax850p_en/, since not all Ukrainian sites provide the correct functionality.

Main functions Plum EcoMAX

Note that Plum EcoMAX is a family of microcontrollers. If the modern model Plum EcoMAX 850P is made for pellet burners and boilers, then Plum EcoMAX 250WZ is used to control solid fuel, primarily coal-fired boilers.

In turn, the Plum EcoMAX 350 model is an expandable module for pellet burners. This is a simpler version, but can be extended to modern functionality. It is worth noting the Plum EcoMAX 860 TOUCH model, it has 12 outputs for connecting peripheral devices, including 10 analog ones, as well as a touch screen control and, of course, WI-FI.

As we have already figured out in our publications on "Smart home", climate control in the heating system, the control of most boilers is organized by changing the speed of the circulation pump. But in more advanced solid fuel systems, which include premium FOCUS boilers, dosed supply of primary and secondary air to the furnace, pump control and other control functions are implemented.

Plum EcoMAX 850P is directly controlled via WI-FI and from a mobile phone. It can work in conjunction with room thermostats and other sensors. If you have a large house and a heating system with multiple heating circuits, it is better to purchase as part of the Plum EcoMAX 860 TOUCH boiler. This microcontroller provides more extensive sensor control capabilities, significantly expanding the control functionality.

Functional Plum EcoMAX 850P

What the manufacturer writes about the capabilities of their microcontrollers:

• Supports two wireless standards Wi-Fi and ISM. If you live in a fairly crowded area with a Wi-Fi conflict or you have already been hacked, it is recommended to set the equipment to the ISM frequency range for the safety of the boiler and burner. Despite the rather low speed of ISM, it fulfills its tasks, but most often the standard is used to configure production SCADA;
• Plum EcoMAX 850P controller has a 5-inch touch screen, very easy to set up;
• the software environment is updated using a microSDHC or miniUSB memory card, which can be purchased from dealers;
• the equipment operates on a patented operating system, which ensures functional stability of the operating modes and a low number of errors.

The technical functionality of the controller is as follows:

• fully controls the combustion process in boilers and pellet burners, adjusting the parameters to the selected fuel;
• provides weather regulation of the heating system and hot water circulation (with the recommended connection diagram) in radiator circuits and underfloor heating;
• provides control of pumps, 3-way and 4-way valves.

Line of equipment EcoMAX

I must say that Plum EcoMAX is a whole line of equipment, it includes:

• ECONET300 module for wireless communication with control panels and mobile devices. It is not just a control panel, but a multifunctional service system;
• ISM module for organizing communication in this frequency range;
• room thermostats with different capabilities: eSTER_x40, eSTER_x80, ecoSTER TOUCH. If in the first and last case we are talking about room thermostats of different levels of complexity, then eSTER_x80 is a room touch panel for remote control of equipment.
• The ecoLINK2 module will be of interest to specialists engaged in software development of applications for heating systems. It can be used to change the software settings of the microcontroller;
• The ecoLAMBDA module is designed to improve the combustion of pyrolysis gases while expanding the functionality of the boiler unit. Provides optimization of the combustion process and maintenance of the oxygen level in the combustion products during afterburning;
• module B and C is used to expand functionality by increasing the number of heating circuits in the heating system;
• a proprietary set of sensors is available: smoke sensor, standard sensor, weather sensor, optical sensor.

Can Plum EcoMAX 850P work, for example, in a FOCUS boiler without the listed equipment? Of course it can. However, the control functions will focus directly on the heating equipment. At the same time, digital and analog valves can be installed in the rooms to control the temperature in the batteries. However, they will not be coordinated with the boiler room, but will simply reduce the speed of movement of the coolant through a specific radiator equipment.

When connecting the listed devices, users can set not only individual settings, but also create work scenarios. In this case, the control system will transmit data to the boiler and / or burner, and adjust the intensity of the heating operation. The same can be done remotely using mobile devices and appropriate applications.

Premium Features Plum EcoMAX 850P are determined precisely by its technical capabilities

All of the listed functions are mainly consumer functions. They do not determine the quality and stability of the boiler controller. The Plum EcoMAX is not only about its optional equipment. Its advantages are inherent in low-level or technical functionality.

Even the microcontroller of the Plum EcoMAX 250WZ boiler has the following operating capabilities:

• controls the circulation pump;
• provides control of the boiler supply fan;
• regulates the characteristics of the DHW circuit pump;
• has a built-in flue gas sensor;
• supports the "winter" and "summer" modes;
• interacts with a room thermostat.

The improved model has additional features:

• supports the operation of the thermal buffer if it is present in the system;
• has a configurable output H (alarm, reserve boiler, admixture, circulation pump);
• supports expansion with additional modules B and C when the heating system becomes more complex;
• works in summer / winter mode;
• provides access to professional data: heating curves for boiler and mixer circuits, working with a grate, displaying the fuel level;
• provides adaptive mixer control and detects STB operation.

What is the bottom line

As a result, we can say that the Plum EcoMAX boiler microcontroller is a stable equipment for controlling heating systems of any complexity, designed for professional and consumer use.

Plum EcoMAX allows you to:

• expand the heating system;
• coordinate the heating equipment available in the system;
• establish transmission and synchronize the user characteristics of the heating system.

This is all accompanied by a fairly budget price that will be on the price tag of a multifunctional climate control.

When purchasing a pellet boiler room FOCUS, you only need to correctly complete the heating circuits and purchase additional equipment for room climate control. Plum EcoMAX is installed on solid fuel boilers and pellet burners FOCUS (not sold separately). In addition, the equipment is supplied with a piping kit, completely ready for connection to the heating system. FOCUS can supply equipment with a complete turnkey installation of a heating system. The work can be carried out with the installation of room thermostats and adjustment of the control system.

Order a pellet boiler with Plum EcoMAX controller