Misc: Navien NPE-240A Navilink App missing scheduling function
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| NPE-240A |
Just had a new tankless water heater installed in my house to replace a failing 22 year-old 50 gallon tank. Couldn't be happier w/ my new tankless, but was dealing with weirdness on the Navilink app to control/view my new Navien. The app's scheduling function (for the recirculation pump) was missing.
Solution:
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| NR-20DU |
- Disconnect NR-20DU remote controller. (if you want to schedule via App)
- *DIP Switches need to be set properly as well.
In my case, w/ a bridge valve in my furthest faucet, is considered "External Recirculation".
Check w/ your plumber for proper settings, they set mine properly.
If you are in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend Plumbing Express LLC.
Ask for Jonathan DeWeese.
For reference only, these were set correctly by my plumber for my setup.
- DIP Switch 1 Off, 2 On. (Internal Recirculation would be the opposite)
- Parameter 18 set to On (This is to enable Navilink)
These settings are detailed out in the installation guide.
DO NOT just look at youtube for suggestions, there are some videos out there that are just plain WRONG.
Details:
My understanding is that "External Recirculation" refers to the use of a bridge valve, typically installed in the furthest point from the water heater. Basically utilizing my cold water pipes as a poor man's hot water loop. "Internal Recirculation" is when a dedicated hot water loop is actually installed. That will be way more expensive to retrofit a house that does not have a dedicated hot water loop, so external recirculation is usually more common.
With regards to the Navilink schedule function, my plumber was just as confused as I was since this was one of the primary reasons I wanted the Navilink function. Long story short, installing the NR-20DU remote controller unit disables the apps remote scheduling capabilities. Simply disconnecting it enables the scheduling function in the Navilink app.
When thinking about it, it actually makes sense. You wouldn't want 2 devices dictating possibly conflicting schedules. Although documentation wise, it's almost as if you're led to believe that the remote controller is required for Navilink schedule function. So what is the difference between the two?
Quite simply, Navilink allows a more complex schedule. The NR-20DU controller only allows 3 schedules.
Next is to figure out how to have app enable the 'hot button'. Cursory glance appears to me that I need the hot button kit, but that appears to disable the scheduling function. This leads me to believe that the unit might be dumb in its status info to its controllers. Meaning if a 'schedule' is active, pressing/activating the hot button will turn that off. Seems like a split brain issue that Navien works around by simply disabling competing functions.
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| NaviLink App & Wi-Fi Control |
Comments
Do I need to buy anything else to get that 'hot button' in the app?
I have had the same problem for 2 years. Despite setting up a schedule with navilink my NPE has been recirculating at will and costing me $$$ gas.
Based on Daves post and "unknown" above I unregistered and re-registered the Navilink.... but also had an epiphiny... The enable/ disable buttons are wrong !!! They should read "Enabled/Disabled" When it says enable the schedule works. I think it is a Korean translation issue.
A caveat : I could not reregister using my Iphone x with IOS 13. I had to use my wifes IOS 12 Ipad. Once registered I was able to login and use my phone to control the unit again. Navien tech support is aware of this issue and I assume Navien will fix this in the next app update.
Like the unknown poster above I hope they will create an app based hot button ( and widgit) for the occasional recirulation. (the actual hot button kit which I tried turns off the scheduling ability).
So Navien:
Please fix IOS 13 compatibility
Clarify the enable/disable schedule button if I am correct
Please add a hot button to the app and better yet a a widgit.
If it fails me again I will repost.
As in my recent post the Navilink and schedule have finally been working corectly. I have been doing a little tweaking of parameters 12,14 and 15 to try to keep the warmest and most consistent water in my pipes during a scheduled recirculation. In addition to the suggestions I made in my last post It would be nice if Navien had a recommended algorithm for adjusting these parameters.
As I stated in my last post the enable and disable buttons are wrong. If you hit enable it shuts off scheduled recirculation and the machine reverts to default recirculation. As a consequence If you want to recirculate off schedule jut turn off (Enable) the schedule in the app and then in a few minutes turn it back on ( disable) your schedule a work around to a hot button.