BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: opus on March 28, 2012, 08:39:55 AM

Title: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: opus on March 28, 2012, 08:39:55 AM
You know, just one of your normal bi-metalic ones you might have in your home.  Its got 2 leads on it.  I want to wire it into a fan to come on at a certain temp.  I assume I cant run 5A through it so I would have to use a relay to run it? 
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: chev49 on March 28, 2012, 08:47:24 AM
i haven't tried to do that... but i would think one of those car relays for security systems, etc would work just fine. they can be bought on eBay cheap for 10 at a time..

Thanks for the idea...will try that also, as i have lots of the relays, and some thermostats...
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: baker4106 on March 28, 2012, 01:39:30 PM
You are right, don't try to run 5A.   I purchased a relay at a locale auto parts store to run mine and it works fine.
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: mikke60 on March 28, 2012, 01:47:54 PM
you can also buy a thermostat intended for use with electric baseboard.Can handle plenty of amps.mike
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: Jriddle on March 28, 2012, 02:17:15 PM
Quote from: mikke60 on March 28, 2012, 01:47:54 PM
you can also buy a thermostat intended for use with electric baseboard.Can handle plenty of amps.mike

This is what I did. I run 12v for the fan through them seems to work great for me.

John
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: opus on March 28, 2012, 09:22:41 PM
Can someone point me to a particular item or make, model, etc?

Sorry, should have looked first.  This should suffice?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honeywell-T410A1013-Electric-Baseboard-Heat-Thermostat-/360437283184?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ebbc7970#ht_2787wt_819 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honeywell-T410A1013-Electric-Baseboard-Heat-Thermostat-/360437283184?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ebbc7970#ht_2787wt_819)

Better yet?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suburban-RV-Furnace-Thermostat-12V-part-161154-/140656834374#ht_500wt_819 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suburban-RV-Furnace-Thermostat-12V-part-161154-/140656834374#ht_500wt_819)
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: Jriddle on March 29, 2012, 06:24:12 AM
I would go with the first model. The second may not support the amp draw that you may need.

John
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: mikelcan on March 29, 2012, 08:15:15 AM
 I would think that a heating thermostat would work opposite of what you desire.  They are designed to turn something on when the temperature drops below a set point.  For a fan you would want an AC or attic fan thermostat that will turn the fan on when the temperature is above a set point.  I would think that this would work:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Attic-Fan-Thermostat-120-240VAC-Model-1A22-7-New-/120743373884?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1cddac3c#ht_793wt_1112 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Attic-Fan-Thermostat-120-240VAC-Model-1A22-7-New-/120743373884?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1cddac3c#ht_793wt_1112)

Mike
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: Jriddle on March 29, 2012, 08:21:06 AM
Quote from: mikelcan on March 29, 2012, 08:15:15 AM
I would think that a heating thermostat would work opposite of what you desire.  They are designed to turn something on when the temperature drops below a set point.  For a fan you would want an AC or attic fan thermostat that will turn the fan on when the temperature is above a set point.  I would think that this would work:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Attic-Fan-Thermostat-120-240VAC-Model-1A22-7-New-/120743373884?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1cddac3c#ht_793wt_1112 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Attic-Fan-Thermostat-120-240VAC-Model-1A22-7-New-/120743373884?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1cddac3c#ht_793wt_1112)

Mike

True
Depending on the use of thermostat I assumed he wanted to turn on a fan in a heat exchange.
Good Point

John
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: opus on March 29, 2012, 08:50:08 AM
Sorry, I want the fans on the heat exchanger to turn on at 67 or whatever.  No AC involved.  I should have clarified.
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: opus on March 29, 2012, 02:51:47 PM
Will the Honeywell work with just 12V?  I see it is rated for 120/240.  I dont suppose the voltage would really matter, would it?
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: Jriddle on March 29, 2012, 05:31:17 PM
Quote from: opus on March 29, 2012, 02:51:47 PM
Will the Honeywell work with just 12V?  I see it is rated for 120/240.  I don't suppose the voltage would really matter, would it?

Yep pretty much what I have.

John
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: belfert on March 29, 2012, 05:51:52 PM
A simple bi-metal thermostat really shouldn't care about voltage.  Some fancier thermostats might need power from the furnace, but many of them work on batteries these days.

I had bought some dead simple bi-metal thermostats, but they turned out to be junk.  The quality was terrible and the setting wouldn't stay were it was was set.  I bought some $15 digital thermostats instead that have batteries.  I have yet to try them.
Title: Re: Wiring a thermostat
Post by: opus on March 29, 2012, 05:56:18 PM
Ok, I will grab a couple of those Honeywell stats.  This way I can run the power right to it and not have to deal with relays.