I NEED A COURSE IN AQUASTATs 101

I have a Burnham oil fired burner for baseboard heat and domestic hot water. There's a Honeywell aquastat attached that has 3 settings: HI, LO, and DIFF.

The owner's manual that describes how the aquastat worls reads like a primer on nuclear physics. I have no idea what they're talking about.

I'd very much appreciate a simple explanation on what the 3 settings are for, especially the DIFF. Seems that the burner would start when the water temp gets below the LO setting and then shut off when it gets to the HI setting. But apparently that's not how this works.

My settings are currently HI: 190 LO: 160 DIFF: 10

Thanks very much.

First off. If you don't understand it you probably should not mess with it as it is the main operational safety on the boiler.

The high is the maximum temperature the boiler will operate at and the temperature at which the burner shoulld shut off. Usually set between 180 and 210 but never highter than 215

The low is the temperature that the boiler will dorp to before the burner cuts in.

The diff = differential and it's there to keep the burnere form short cycling. Usually set at 10 or more.

Again, if you don't know what you are doing or trying to do, dont mess with them.

First off. If you don't understand it you probably should not mess with it as it is the main operational safety on the boiler.

The high is the maximum temperature the boiler will operate at and the temperature at which the burner shoulld shut off. Usually set between 180 and 210 but never highter than 215

The low is the temperature that the boiler will dorp to before the burner cuts in.

The diff = differential and it's there to keep the burner from short cycling. Usually set at 10 or more.

Again, if you don't know what you are doing or trying to do, dont mess with them.

nhmaster is correct,..........they are much like a pump pressure switch.
I would also heed his warnings as to whatever you are trying to do.

You never mentioned a problem with your boiler system.

BTW, the setting that you listed are pretty much where they want to be.