l series lennox

[fgallagos]

doe's anyone use software for the l series l connection and how well doe's it work and is it worth the price lennox wants for it

[mike4hvac]

I do about 30 L sieries RTU's. Not one has that "L conection" thing. IMHO this L Sieries is the coolest thing since the other side of the pillow. If you do your PM's they will remain truble free from what I can tell.

[hussmantech]

In my opinion,the Lennox L series is the best commercial unit i have seen.Period....
They are the Cadillac of commercial units.Easy to service,nice controls,easy diagnostics...
And best of all,no carpal tunnel from removing fifteen hundred screws to access unit.......

[mike4hvac]

"my opinion,the Lennox L series is the best commercial unit i have seen.Period....
They are the Cadillac of commercial units.Easy to service,nice controls,easy diagnostics...
And best of all,no carpal tunnel from removing fifteen hundred screws to access unit......."

Just like the Handicap bathroom stalls are the Cadillac of the poopin' stools.

[ac/dc]

I service lots of L series units to and I agree they are
the best package unit out there. I have never needed to hook up a pc to the controls, I thought it was there
for use when you have a bunch of these units on a network

[satank]

Would you happen to know the format of the commands used over the L Network?

[fgallagos]

yea it"S about 600 dollars thru a lennox dealer. if you have some thing simular that would work i sure would be interested in that software??? thanks

[fgallagos]

Originally posted by smac
Fgallagos: I also think that Lennox L series is the best thing since apple pie. We also wanted to get the compatable software for it. We did find that Lennox has a software simulator that you can get on to get a feel for their program. From what I can see it looks like you can do everything that you normally could do as if you were at the site only using modem or internet. You can reset faults, replace a faulty thermosat using the sensor in the return compartment, reprogram set up paramaters, all of which can be controlled by a temp/time management program for different times of the day, and holliday programing for different days of the year. The software looks like it would be a nice package to have. We currently are looking to purchase some differnt types of their software and controls. I have found that Lennox is a big company. Their controls are very pricy. We are looking at other controls with the option of useing their software for just their L series.If you are a big enough company, to purchase many I am sure the price drops some. I will check on the web site for the simulator, when I go to work and will post it if I still have it.

[ac/dc]

Good to know smac, Thanks

[indian]

I haven't yet heard of the I series equipment, that would only refer to ownner-corporate level, and leaving zero for the ones that bring in the bacon. I would like to learn more!

[fgallagos]

smac thanks for your input no i"am not a lennox dealer.i am facilities director for a laboratory that has 5 lseries rtus from 20 to 60 ton started reaserching about 6 months ago for the software.units were installed just before i took over or i would have demanded that the software was included with the packages. you know the price of these units was about 650,000 bucs and lennox can"t even give you a break on the stuff

[ira fuse]

Here's a link for the L Connection Emulator software.

http://www.freewebs.com/hvac_controls/LCEmulator_v107.zip

This emulator will demonstrate the Unit Controller Software (that is used to configure the units and display operating data) and the NCP (Network Control Panel) Software (that is used to setup the NCP device and change programs and schedules).

Take a look at the emulator. I think you will find the software quite powerful. I would think that your Lennox sales person would be able to discount the software from the list price, if asked.

Respond with any questions you have. I can probably help.

[AllTemp]

I also have had the pleasure to enjy the L Series. We've done many changeout from some old Climatrol, MQuay nits these things were a perfect fit.

I also have not networked any.

But have installed the CAPL4, just wish Lennox would design the wiring harness with a Molex connector and be done with it.

Has anyone else italled the CAPL4 assesory, makes 5 stages coolig, 4 stages heating when used with a economiser...http://www.alltemp-hvac.com/economiser.gif

(Andy has always been a little camera shy)

Have had some trouble on some 15 HP VS blower motor mounts breaking, twice on two different machines!

[temp55]

I have noticed when you get a no cominication code on the board all i have done is remove and replace all the connectors on the board and your up and running.

[AllTemp]

Originally posted by smac
AllTemp: Not a bad picture. I have not had any experiences with the CAPL4. Wish I could help you there. I do know that Lennox has had some ishues with the motor brackets. Overall I like the way they have designed the units.

The Capl4 provides the 3&4 compressor L series multiple staging configurations.

Problem I have with these is their hard wired into the exisiting wiring loom. The ***** was the wiring diagrams that come with the kit were a rev. that did not include the current equipment. Cannot think of the fellows name of the top of my head from Lennox that designed the thing. If it weren't for him I wold still be pulling my hair out. Assesory is a relay board that is hard wired, you actually had to trace wires cut and splice... Alot of modifications to the existing loom...

But sure runs sweet, I use the California Economiser ( Zonex) System 2000 with these in several locations. Really nice with the boards capacity control and the staging.

[fgallagos]

smac so your telling me i need to have the ncp to be able to access parameters,check supply and return air temps etc. the units are currently controlled by california econimizer that uses the capl4 controllers

[sspears]

If you have a Tstat or DDC like a California Economizer then there is no need for the NCP. It's main purpose is to control setpoints plus a few other parameters. The NCP can be setup to monitor where you can quickly look at alarms and operating modes if you choose.

If you run a daisy chain between all the units you can connect in with the UC software and set parameters on all the units plus monitor what's going on. I think this is what fgallagos is looking at doing. All you need to get this working is the wire, UC software and one of the following:
1. PC converter for direct connect.
2. L Connection modem.
3. Ethernet converter for LAN connection.

I can help out with any questions.

[ira fuse]

smac: Sorry for the tardy reply. Also, sorry about the long download time.

I use the UC software extensively, for setting the configuration parameters of the L Series controls. In a networked system, it is very handy to upload these parameters, at one time, to multiple units. I also use it to setup the Building Controllers.

The NCP software is handy for remotely changing schedules in the control panel.

[fgallagos]

thanks ssears thats exactly what i want to be able to do it"s so much easier to configure parameters and so forth from a pc in the comfort of your office than it is on a cold snowy roof

[sspears]

Good, well here are some part numbers to get you started:
UC PC software 96L80
1000' wire 94L63

One of these options depending on your need:
PC Converter for direct connect 96L78 OR
L Connection Modem for dial in 94L62 OR
Ethernet converter for LAN hookup 76M77

[fgallagos]

thanks for your help sspears i have a couple of questions. as far as the wire go"s am i correct in assuming to daisy chain the units in a network i"ll need 3 condutor cable? and to connect the pc direct connect is that wire something speacial that needs to be purchased thru lennox? at this time i"am going to do the the pc converter direct connect 96l78. not sure what the 76m77 is?

[sspears]

The cable is 22 AWG shielded twisted pair. The part number I referenced is Plenum rated. You can use a Belden 8761 for non-plenum applications but Lennox does not stock it.

You will wire up a daisy chain from unit to unit. This is a polarity sensitive network so keep one color as + and one -. The shield drain wire should be wired into only one IMC board on the roof. At each link in the chain, wire the +/- wires into the board but just wire the shields together without landing on the board.

Set the address of each IMC board to a unique number. There is a dip switch labeled 'unit address'. Next to it is a value for each switch (1,2,4,8,16). The values can be added up for any address between 1 and 31. Example: for address 5 set switch 1 and 3 to 'on'.

Run the end of the daisy chain down to your PC location. This is where you will wire it to the 96L78 PC converter. The drain wire remains unattached here. The converter attaches to the PC COM port.

The 76M77 is similar but connects to your LAN instead of to the PC directly. If you need multiple users or locations in the building to access the L Connection network this is a good choice. Anyone on the LAN (with software installed) can then access the units. The access is limited to one PC connected at a time since the software performs an active poll to each unit and only one device can 'talk' at any time.

[fgallagos]

sspears so the phone type port on the imc board dos"nt get used??

[sspears]

No, that is used for a temporary direct connection from the PC converter. It's a much better conection to use the wire terminals on the board for the daisy chain.

When you purchase the PC Converter it will come with a short 'handset' cord. The same as on your phone. You could climb up to the roof with your laptop and plug straight into the board with the handset cord. This can be useful for troubleshooting.

[fgallagos]

smac,sspears thank you guys for your smarts on these units. the dealers around here are don"t seem to have knowlage as far as the l connection works. now i"ll have to bite the bullet and by the software. thanks again