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Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

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Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#71

Post by cogman10 »

gwbas1c wrote: post #66

I don't understand why he can't just connect / disconnect the power? The thermostat is a bi-metallic strip. Assuming the thermostat is controlling 120V AC: 1: There are plenty of cheap wireless thermostats for AC that you can buy off of Amazon. I have two, and they work great with space heaters. 2: You can use a 120V relay with those thermostats to control different voltages, amperages, ect. --- BTW, controlling the…

This would be the route I took, but the op was scared of the plug. If their landlord does an inspection IDK that they'd love seeing a hacked power cable.

I'd basically get something like this [1] and then put it in the middle of a patch cable.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Security-controller-electricit...

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#72

Post by cogman10 »

daniel5151 wrote: post #68
gwbas1c wrote: post #66

I don't understand why he can't just connect / disconnect the power? The thermostat is a bi-metallic strip. Assuming the thermostat is controlling 120V AC: 1: There are plenty of cheap wireless thermostats for AC that you can buy off of Amazon. I have two, and they work great with space heaters. 2: You can use a 120V relay with those thermostats to control different voltages, amperages, ect. --- BTW, controlling the…

I discuss this quite early in the writeup. There is a whole section on why a smart plug will not work here.

If you are ever feeling like burning down your apartment ;), the route I'd take is buying a 5-20p extension cable, cutting it open, and splicing in a 120V switch into the middle of it. You can find a few smart switches that fit that bill for whatever relay tech you are interested. It's non-invasive for the AC unit and can be quickly removed.

There's only 3 wires to deal with as well so it's not THAT scary to make your own cable (but I'd understand why you might feel differently).

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#73

Post by rendx »

lstodd wrote: post #19
danudey wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It always kind of blows my mind that I keep seeing "smart TVs" which have a bunch of integration options for high-end AV installations (rich people's houses, etc.) but no API that you can integrate with to just handle toggling channels/inputs/power states/volumes. (I did get my last Sony Bravia integrated with Homekit so that I could control inputs, volume, etc. via the Home app, but that's not really what I'm lookin…

It always blows my mind why those rich people even bother with TVs. I'm not rich by any measure, but still I can afford a projector, a screen and a couple KRK monitors.

It always blows my mind what ideas people have what "rich people" have or want.

I know a few 'filthy rich' people and some of them don't even own any TV or projector, because they're totally content with a laptop screen and don't want their kids to be exposed to TVs. You will not see their wealth unless you know where to look.

Once people have money, most of them begin to think about what actually serves them and what doesn't; if you can afford anything you want, you usually become more humble and selective. There's simply no point in owning things for the sake of owning them any more. Displaying your wealth usually has far more downsides than upsides. What we see is the outliers.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#74

Post by [deleted] »

cogman10 wrote: post #71
gwbas1c wrote: post #66

I don't understand why he can't just connect / disconnect the power? The thermostat is a bi-metallic strip. Assuming the thermostat is controlling 120V AC: 1: There are plenty of cheap wireless thermostats for AC that you can buy off of Amazon. I have two, and they work great with space heaters. 2: You can use a 120V relay with those thermostats to control different voltages, amperages, ect. --- BTW, controlling the…

This would be the route I took, but the op was scared of the plug. If their landlord does an inspection IDK that they'd love seeing a hacked power cable. I'd basically get something like this [1] and then put it in the middle of a patch cable. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Security-controller-electricit...

[deleted]

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#75

Post by lmz »

yegle wrote: post #61
danudey wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It always kind of blows my mind that I keep seeing "smart TVs" which have a bunch of integration options for high-end AV installations (rich people's houses, etc.) but no API that you can integrate with to just handle toggling channels/inputs/power states/volumes. (I did get my last Sony Bravia integrated with Homekit so that I could control inputs, volume, etc. via the Home app, but that's not really what I'm lookin…

I think the standard control for TV is the RS-232C port on the TV. https://community.home-assistant.io/t/serial-projector-contr... from a quick search.

HDMI CEC could do something similar as well.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#76

Post by Rumudiez »

inigyou wrote: post #60
Terr_ wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish lock-in was as taboo as medieval Christian attitudes towards usury.

But weren't medieval Christian attitudes towards usury a good thing?

wouldn't treating lock-in as taboo be a good thing?

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#78

Post by selcuka »

inigyou wrote: post #60
Terr_ wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish lock-in was as taboo as medieval Christian attitudes towards usury.

But weren't medieval Christian attitudes towards usury a good thing?

I guess usury is analogous to lock-in in your parent comment, not the Christian attitudes.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#79

Post by EvanAnderson »

inigyou wrote: post #62
a-dub wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i don't think that's true. i still have a thinkeco ac modlet that coned sent me years ago as part of some kind of "make your ac smart" promotion. if you turn those knobs to the off position while the compressor is running, does it actually go into some kind of orderly shutdown or does it abruptly cut power to the compressor?

I don't think its the shutdown that's the problem but the restart. If I fiddle with the thermostat on my fridge, it turns off in one direction, but if I turn it all the opposite way it won't come back on for a few minutes. I think this is the relevant interlock. Something about letting pressure equalize.

High head pressure on startup is the problem I'm thinking of. Generally there is a delay after shutdown and a lockout on restart until the head pressure is lower. In the old refrigeration compressors I am familiar with there was an electromechanical timer to facilitate this lockout.
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