Question:
I have a portable air conditioning unit in a nursery which I would like to
automatically switch on if the temperature exceeds a particular value (the
air conditioning unit does have it's own thermostat control but it doesn't
work in the way I would like it to - it switches to a less powerful mode
when a particular temperature is reached whereas I just want it to switch
off totally when it reaches a temperature which I specify).
The air conditioning unit plugs into the mains so I want something which
will somehow connect between the mains and my air conditioning unit. Does
such a product existing ? I do not have any knowledge of electronics so am
totally out of my depth when I browse electronics catalogs. Some of the
programmable thermostats seem to state that they will work for air
conditioning unit but I'm not certain whether they will help in my
particular circumstances.
can anyone help ?
Answer:
The easiest way for you to controll it as you describe, would be with a
line voltage t-stat. All typical residential t-stats operate off of a
24 v control circuit, but you can find a line voltage t-stat at a HVAC
supply house. Just tell them the voltage, prob. 240 volt, and the
amperage it will need to handle. The amperage should be on the unit tag.
Break the incomming power supply thru the t-stat, then run it to the
unit. This is fairly basic wiring, but if you are not comfortable with
it, I'd suggest having an electrician do it.
