Sentinel EV2 - How to run larger air conditioners through the climate controller??

[DabOnDabs]

The Sentinel EV2 Climate Controller is rated for 15 amps at 120 volts, which doesnt allow you to connect larger amperage A/C's, Dehueys, etc...

My air conditioner is a 15k btu window air conditioner which is rated at 13 amps(I believe) but it spikes up to 18 amps at times so I have it on a dedicated 20 amp 120 volt circuit running 24/7. I have been wasting a ton of energy this way and I'm also planning on expanding and buying larger A/C's for flip flop rooms.

I know there are relays which act as trigger cables allowing you to plug one end into the climate controller and when the device is activated it draws current through the relay via a dedicated circuit.

However, I have only found Sentinel Power expanders (15 amp 120 volt) or the C.A.P HPR-1 High powered relay which is 30 amp 220 volt relay. I need something that will let me use a 20 amp circuit, or a 30 amp 120 volt circuit. Can I custom make something? Anybody have any advice?

Can I strip the plug off my Window A/c and hot wire it into a 220 volt HPR?

This has to be a common problem for people with multiple rooms and or lots of lights? Help a Dabber out!

 

[DabOnDabs]

nobody??

 

[Hydropimp]

Dabs

Look for a power expand 120v aka relay

 

[Treetroit City]

Trying to figure this out myself.

My deheuy keeps tripping my Autopilot controller.

When I get my answer I'll post back.

 

[Jhhnn]

The hardwired version of the CAP-1 is rated for both 120 & 240 volt operation-

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Relay-Hardwired-External-Trigger/dp/B004CMMDC0

Probably cheaper elsewhere. You'll need to follow the instructions, wire up the power connections yourself. A #12 3 wire Extension cord could be cut to create both the input & output power cords. Use an inexpensive ohm meter to get the plug polarity right.

Going further, a variety of industrial contactors can be used, like this-

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SQUARE-D-Compact-Contactor-5B132?Pid=search

If you plan on going bigger in the future, you probably want to step up to HVAC pro grade equipment using 24v control circuits & 240v power.

 

[DabOnDabs]

The hardwired version of the CAP-1 is rated for both 120 & 240 volt operation-

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Relay-Hardwired-External-Trigger/dp/B004CMMDC0

Probably cheaper elsewhere. You'll need to follow the instructions, wire up the power connections yourself. A #12 3 wire Extension cord could be cut to create both the input & output power cords. Use an inexpensive ohm meter to get the plug polarity right.

Going further, a variety of industrial contactors can be used, like this-

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SQUARE-D-Compact-Contactor-5B132?Pid=search

If you plan on going bigger in the future, you probably want to step up to HVAC pro grade equipment using 24v control circuits & 240v power.

You are the tittyballs, thanks man! thats exactly the answer i was looking for!!

 

[Hydropimp]

Third Coast

I have an autopilot too what do you do about the green
And orange flashing light when you flower?

What you guys need is a power expander Titan makes one and
I think cap make one too.

If the right person come in to this thread they can tell you how to make
It. You need a box,relay,trigger cable and a different outlet that is not
Feeding the enviormental controller.

I think you can open up the contoller and add bigger wire to the internal componets
To run more amperage .


I run a dehuey and a 8k btu a/c on the autopilot.

 

[Treetroit City]

Third Coast

I have an autopilot too what do you do about the green
And orange flashing light when you flower?

What you guys need is a power expander Titan makes one and
I think cap make one too.

If the right person come in to this thread they can tell you how to make
It. You need a box,relay,trigger cable and a different outlet that is not
Feeding the enviormental controller.

I think you can open up the contoller and add bigger wire to the internal componets
To run more amperage .


I run a dehuey and a 8k btu a/c on the autopilot.

As far as the lights, I've only seen green ones. What are the orange for?

So far I'm just leaving them in the flower room with the green lights on. I have thought of moving it out to the veg room and probably will at some point if I see any herm issues.

So I'm going to go ahead and make a relay box using these instructions, although mine will obviously be a bit different.

http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp


Since I only need a single pole relay I will be using this one.

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...n-Style,_40A_(AD-PR40_Series)/AD-PR40-1C-120A

Not sure why I would need a different outlet that is not feeding the Autopilot though. I plant on plugging both into the same outlet box.

 

[Treetroit City]

Relay box is done. Thought I'd post up a pic. This was the answer I was looking for.

Credit to rives for helping me to build this myself and not overpay for some CAP crap.

 

[DabOnDabs]

Relay box is done. Thought I'd post up a pic. This was the answer I was looking for.

Credit to rives for helping me to build this myself and not overpay for some CAP crap.


View Image

That is extremely dope Third Coast!

Any chance you can give me a parts list and a couple more pictures or a drawing of how you set that up!?

Can it run a 15000btu air conditioner?? Thanks alot i appreciate it! Dab on brotha

 

[Treetroit City]

That is extremely dope Third Coast!

Any chance you can give me a parts list and a couple more pictures or a drawing of how you set that up!?

Can it run a 15000btu air conditioner?? Thanks alot i appreciate it! Dab on brotha

As I said in my PM, rives is the one to get help from. He is a mentor on IC and extremely helpful.

I just don't feel comfortable giving advice on electrical issues, I'll leave that to the actual electricians out there.

 

[the gnome]

rives is the one to get help from. He is a mentor on IC and extremely helpful.

oh yeah

 

[rives]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

The following link is a pretty good tutorial to build up a power relay that can be used for a variety of purposes. Basically, you only need a single set of contacts on the relay, but it doesn't hurt to have two and is only marginally more expensive. If you buy an extension cord of the appropriate length and gauge to carry your load to/from where you want, and a smaller cord or an old computer power supply cord, etc. for the trigger circuit, you can use those instead of the cords shown in the tutorial. It will wind up looking very similar to the one that Third Coast built up.

One word of caution - air conditioners do not like to be short-cycled, which is when the power goes off and then comes back on before the internal pressures can bleed off. If this happens, it can burn up the compressor motor. Most A/C units have the protection built in, but since you will be bypassing the A/C controls by externally cycling the power, you may also potentially bypass the protection. This feature may be built into your Sentinel, but I'm not familiar with them and you should check to be sure.

Tutorial - http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp

DPDT relay (has one more contact than you need, but gives you a spare if one set wears out or you decide you want to reuse the relay later for 220v, a flip, etc) - http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...n-Style,_40A_(AD-PR40_Series)/AD-PR40-2C-120A

SPDT relay (adequate for your current needs and a couple of bucks cheaper) - http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...n-Style,_40A_(AD-PR40_Series)/AD-PR40-1C-120A

 

[DabOnDabs]

what size wire do i need for the load and what size breaker..also white size extention cord to cut and use as both the trigger cable and the plug for the a/c

 

[rives]

what size wire do i need for the load and what size breaker..also white size extention cord to cut and use as both the trigger cable and the plug for the a/c

I thought that you were already on a dedicated 20 amp circuit? 20 amps will require a minimum of 12 gauge wire for the extension cord, and larger than that if you are running long distances. Hopefully the distances aren't great - exposed cords can be a hazard of their own. The trigger cable can be much smaller, anything from 14-18 gauge. I would expect that the control circuitry in the Sentinel would be fused down to protect that circuit, and the only draw would be fractions of an amp for the relay coil. The big-box stores usually carry pre-made power cords for light fixtures that would work fine, or as I suggested earlier, an old computer power cord.