Chiltrix V18-B User manual

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 1

The V18 communicates with the Chiltrix air-to-water heat pump via low
voltage signaling. The Chiltrix heat pump always understands the load as
part of its capacity management program, as such, if a heating shortfall is
detected, the quantity of such shortfall is known.
Real time monitoring and calculation allow the Chiltrix air-to-water heat
pump to operate with the 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 deratings for a 5500w element rated at 240v if used at a different
voltage (Ohms Law):
230v= Up to 5051w (17,234 BTU)
220v= Up to 4621w (15,766 BTU)
208v= Up to 4131w (14,094 BTU)
2

Shown above: V18 mounted on a painted plywood board
with Uni-struts.
The 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

Example showing proper placement. Always installed *before* any
loads, and *before* the G1 DHW valve (if DHW is used in the 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.

Installation
The in-line V18 Heater unit(s) must be installed indoors, in the main
chiller loop between the Chiltrix outdoor unit(s) and any loads such as
fan 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

Two (or three) V18 inline heaters may be mounted 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

Wiring
Power Wiring
Power to operate the Heating element in the In-line Heater(s) comes from a 2
pole 208 to 240 VAC GFCI circuit breaker, via an included 40a Solid State Relay
(SSR) used to provide real time control over the power level and manage the
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 element. See below.
MAKE SURE GROUNDING IS DONE PROPERLY!
7

Assembly of this system and all connections to the buildings electrical
power system should be performed by a qualified licensed electrician
according to local and national electric codes. CHILLED WATER
IMPORTANT NOTE*
If the V18 will be installed in a
system that performs cooling
operation at times, make sure
to thoroughly seal around the
white ABS cover and inside
the Liquidtight conduit with
silicone as a minimum
precaution.
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 using a potting
material, use it only per-code
and according to the
materials instructions, make
sure to allow the material to
fully cure before attaching the
cover.
Make sure power is
disconnected before and
during this operation. 8

Control Wiring
Output Cable
Control wiring from the PWM2 terminal to the SSR(s) consists of a cable
connected to the (+) red wire and the (-) black wire 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) .
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CX34 Main Logic PCB shown above.

ASSEMBLING COMPONENTS
HEATER ELEMENT REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION –During assembly/installation or after removing an element for
replacement, 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
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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.

Step 3
WARNING: Hold the Bottom Hex (x) with a 1/4” open end wrench when
tightening the Terminal Nut to prevent rotation and damage to the epoxy
end seal.
Note, if you replace an element, make sure to change the V18 controller parameters P103 and
P106 (if/as needed, to the correct volt/watts ratings. 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.
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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.

Plumbing
The in-line V18 Heater unit(s) are installed in-doors, in the main system
loop between the CX34 outdoor unit and Load (building’s Hydronic
system), as near to the CX34 chiller as practical and before any valves of
loads. See illustration below.
The inline heater units have 2” NTP female connections at either end.
Install 2” NTP pipe nipple(s) to connect two heater 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.
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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.

V18 Backup Heater
Programming the CX34 Parameters
Enter CX34 Manufacturers Settings on the CX34 standard controller.
V18B Settings:
P56 = Set to 0, means E2 is controlling the V18b Backup Heater. (E2 is
connected to OUT14)
P57 is E2 activation air temperature. Air temp must less than P57 for V18b
to be activated. Default is 0◦C (Range is -20~20◦C)
P103 AC Electric Heater Power Watts, range allowed is 0-99999w
Setting for one standard 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 rating of the heating element used.(Default
230V)
P107 AC heat transfer coefficient 100-600WF Default 500 (see water factor
chart page 15)
P108 AC Voltage compensation, set = 0 (unless otherwise instructed by
Chiltrix support dept.)
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14
Backup Heater Operation:
E2 AC (V18b) heater start condition:
1. Before the V18b can start, the ambient temperature (as
measured by C02 in Status, details menu), must be below the P57
setting.
2. When the compressor cannot meet the BTU load for a period of
15 minutes, based on the AC inlet water temperature < target
temperature by 3C, 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 stops, the EWT target will revert back to the original target
temperature.
3. If a P5 error is flagged, (water flow error ), E2 will stop.

15

Notes Re: Controllers
When the V18 is active, any changes to temperature parameters entered
via the standard controller or via the Psychrologix controller (including
outdoor reset) will be ignored.
Outdoor Reset function, if used with a Psychrologix 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 3x V18s in series on a single CX34.
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Troubleshooting
The backup heater is off by default. Activation can only occur under
certain strict conditions and only if backup heat is needed. There are
several levels of safety.
•The GFCI breaker will trip if there is a ground fault. This protects the
system and users in the event of a short circuit or loose wire in the
power wiring.
• An internal thermal circuit breaker will trip if the heater exceeds
150°F . Reset for this control is manual. See below.
• There are a number of permissive factors that will inhibit the firing of
the SSR. Primarily, there must be minimal fluid flow.
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-metal thermal overload switch that opens and
breaks the element power connection in case of temperature rising
above 150°F. It is attached to the heater barrel interior wall.
If the thermal overload switch is tripping for no apparent reason, the
heating element may be in contact with the inside wall of the V18. See
section on proper installation / replacement of heating element.
17

Manual Reset
If the heater unit rises to an unsafe temperature the thermal overload
switch will stop power to the units element. To access the reset switch,
FIRST, POWER MUST BE DISCONNECTED. Remove the white ABS cover to
access the reset button. Assuming the temperature is below 130 °F,
depressing the reset button will reset the V18. You may need to press the
reset button with up to 15-20 lbs. of pressure in order to reset it.
Note, a tripped thermal safety switch most likely indicates a problem
that should be corrected before resetting.
A short circuited Solid State Relay is a possible cause of a tripped safety
switch. If this 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 series, may cause
this.
If the V18b backup unit stops working, first check the Chiltrix standard
controller for any error codes. Check for loose wires, see troubleshooting
section. Make sure nothing is blocking flow through the heater.
Contact Chiltrix technical support with any questions at 757 410 8640 ext.
112.
DO NOT REMOVE WHITE COVER UNLESS POWER HAS BEEN
DISCONNECTED.
DO NOT RECONNECT POWER UNTIL THE COVER HAS BEEN REPLACED.
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NOTICE
Bulletin Regarding V18 Installed
With CX34 Systems Used For Cooling
CHILLED WATER
IMPORTANT NOTE*
If the V18 will be installed in a system that performs cooling operation at
times, make sure to thoroughly seal around the white ABS cover and
inside the Liquidtight conduit with silicone as a minimum precaution.
Make sure power is disconnected before and during this operation.
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 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 potting material, use it only per-code and according
to the material manufacturers instructions and make sure to allow the
material to fully cure before attaching the cover. Do not cover the reset
button with silicone.
Do not connect power until the material has fully cured and white cover
has been replaced.
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