Yes, you can. Air bubbles that make their way into the upper part of a dirt separator housing will be automatically removed if an air vent is installed. Our brass dirt separators, such as the 5462 Series DIRTCAL and 5463 Series DIRTMAG have a 1/2" female NPT top connection so the 502043A MINICAL or the 502243A or 502343A VALCAL will fit perfectly. Our larger, steel flanged dirt separators, such as the 5465 DIRTCAL, NA5465 DIRTCAL (with ASME/CRN), or the 5465 DIRTMAG Series, have a 3/4" male NPT top connection so the 501502A MAXCAL air vent is the perfect fit for those. That being said, we highly recommend installing a dedicated air separator, such as a 551 Series DISCAL or a combination air/dirt separator such as the 546 Series DISCALDIRT in every hydronic system. These devices automatically remove all air down to the micro-bubble level, which an air vent alone will not do.
Check out our idronics issue #15 (Separation in Hydronic Systems) for detailed information on air removal.
Hello. My HVAC contractor installed the Model 521 mixing valve upside down. My hot water is irregular. Is it designed to function properly upside down? The adjustment knob is facing down as it was easiest for them to install it that way.
Regards,
Mark Olinsky
The 521 can be mounted in any orientation, no problem. Irregular water temperature could be caused by a number of factors. The 521 has a minimum flow rating of 1.3 GPM; flow rate less than that can cause valve "hunting" and irregular temperature fluctuations. Check valves on the hot and cold inlet are recommended to prevent cross-flow during pressure variations also. Make sure the hot water supply is delivering a good steady flow of water that is at least 25 degrees higher than the setpoint on the 521 knob.
In reply to The 521 can be mounted in any by tech_support
Hi Kevin, thanks, that makes a lot of sense, my water supply is a well and pump so the flow might be marginal. I know I have problems with pressure washers as well. Not sure there is much I can do about it then other than get a bigger well pump, lol.
Regards,
Mark