BITZER has expanded its range of air cooled condensing units with the ECOSTAR LHV5E and LHV7E. The two innovative series fulfil the European Union’s new Ecodesign Directive and therefore offer users planning security over the long term.
The new Ecodesign Directive 2015/1095 took effect in July 2016, with minimum efficiency criteria (MEPS) that also apply to condensing units. With its new ECOSTAR LHV5E and LHV7E series, BITZER now has two new air cooled series in its range which fulfil these requirements. The required declarations of conformity on MEPS adherence as well as other documents are available for download from the effective date. Smaller condensing units with a cooling capacity up to 5 kW (in medium temperature application) and 2 kW (in low temperature application) are declared using the coefficient of performance (COP). For larger condensing units, values are based on the Seasonal Energy Performance Ratio (SEPR).
The cutting-edge ECOSTAR LHV5E is part of the BITZER range of condensing units for smaller cooling capacities, and is quiet and especially energy-efficient. BITZER began producing and delivering the three LHV5E models at the end of 2015. Like the larger LHV7E condensing units, the LHV5E boasts an improved mini-channel condenser, which means it requires a smaller refrigerant charge and is more efficient than comparable models.
The ECOSTAR LHV7E series of condensing units comprises ten models which, thanks to their integrated EC fans, offer low-noise, power-saving and reliable operation. Compared to older ECOSTAR models, LHV7E units require a smaller refrigerant charge while offering higher heat transfer. ‘And the integrated winter start feature allows the compressor to start even in winter when the ambient temperature falls below the saturated suction temperature,’ emphasises Stefan Dorn, Product Manager System Solutions at BITZER.
The series’ additional strengths include simple installation and operation as well as low maintenance requirements. The BITZER LHV7E condensing unit comes standard with an integrated frequency inverter and filter drier. Optional features include an oil separator with check valve, oil monitoring and an additional check valve for installation in low ambient temperatures.
The new ECOSTAR LHV5E and LHV7E condensing units also have plenty of strengths in common, including power-saving EC fans with the latest generation of active PFC monitoring. Users can seamlessly adjust the speed of the fans and the capacity of the integrated ECOLINE VARISPEED compressor via the speed control, which enables energy-optimised operation with a low number of switch cycles. The new condensing units also offer a reliably long service life and low maintenance requirements. Condensing units can be quickly installed on site, as the control electronics are wired in the factory, making them immediately ready to operate.
The ECOSTAR’s integrated controller automatically adjusts the compressor speed and the fans based on the actual cooling load or the ambient temperature, making the overall system especially efficient. The BITZER Electronics Service Tool (BEST) also allows users to adjust the characteristics for unusual applications via Bluetooth.
‘Flexibility is a crucial benefit for every user and a competitive advantage for BITZER. That’s because our condensing units are used in a whole host of operating conditions all over the world. We took that into account when developing our new ECOSTAR series,’ says Dorn. Depending on the model, the LHV5E and LHV7E condensing units are suitable for use with the refrigerants R134a, R404A, R507A, R407A, R407C and R407F. In this way, BITZER supports a wide application range. Additional low-GWP refrigerants such as R448A, R449A, R450A and R513A are already stored in the firmware and available upon request for the time being.
The robust and corrosion-resistant housing is also suitable for outdoor use, while its compact size means condensing units can even fit inside smaller engine rooms. The running noise is extremely low thanks to the internal sound absorber and the sound-optimised airflow, so the ECOSTAR condensing units can also be used in locations sensitive to sound – for example, within a hotel complex.
Users can control and monitor the new ECOSTAR LHV5E and LHV7E condensing units remotely via an Ethernet LAN connection for networks or via the Internet and a Modbus RTU. In addition, BITZER has added a menu for the LHV5E and LHV7E condensing units to the latest version of its free BEST software, so that they can also be controlled in this way. Using Bluetooth 4.0, the password-protected controller of the ECOSTAR unit can also be operated from a distance of 30 m if in line of sight. Manual control and monitoring is also possible via the LCD display in the controller’s housing.
With the aid of a new function in the latest firmware, users can connect up to four ECOSTAR condensing units via Modbus. They then form an ECOSTAR control network and, in optimised interaction, the temperature of a cold store can be controlled without the need for their refrigerant circuits to be connected.
The ECOSTAR condensing units’ enhanced software provides a number of improvements. If a problem occurs with the sensors, the compressor and fans will continue operating at a constant speed, thanks to the optimised emergency mode. In the case of sporadic faults, for instance due to a loose contact, the emergency mode will automatically be deactivated. When the sensors function normally again, the unit continues working independently.
Also, frequency ranges can be skipped without the need for a BEST converter thanks to the improved avoidance of resonance. This update now also enables external access to be configured: an optional alarm signal can be set that sounds whenever external access is disabled. In the new night mode, the firmware also limits the maximum speed of the compressor and the fans for operating noise below 45 db(A) (–10°C/32°C/20°C R134a).
As expected, the new ECOSTAR condensing unit has proven itself to be reliable in extensive field tests. One ECOSTAR LHV7E has also undergone many other tests with a VARISPEED frequency inverter, including the new refrigerant injection (RI) and R407F. The condensing unit passed with flying colours in the low temperature application thanks to stable operation with acceptable discharge gas temperatures even in high ambient temperatures.
