I’ll automate it Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hello everyone, I am looking to integrate a fully submersible temperature sensor into my pond so I can regulate feeding times/quantities for my fish during the changing seasons. I plan on using a standard C4 T-stat to distribute temp readouts to my various UI's but am having a very difficult time finding a remote temp sensor that can be fully submerged and talk to a C4 t-stat. Can someone please advise? I have readily available a Jandy pool water temp sensor but I do not know if it will work with a direct connection to a C4 stat. Thanks! Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstafford388 Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 I don't think that's how the remote temp sensor in the C4 thermostat works. Pretty sure it's just designed to allow you to use a remote sensor to provide the current temp for that particular thermostat. for instance put the thermostat hidden in a closet, then run the remote sensor into the bedroom so you get an accurate reading of the bedroom temp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 You can, but it'd be better to get a Card Access contact sensor with their recommended external thermistor (which is submersible: http://www.cardaccess-inc.com/automation/products/index.php?a=details&i=50) Also gives you the option of going battery powered if that's preferable due to location etc, and avoids having to deal with powering the the thermostat with a messy 24VAC powersupply (the CA pice handles a wide range of voltage and ac/dc so a standard 12vdc supplies work. Probably ends up cheaper too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEORY Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Have you hooked up the jandy sensor and seen what the readings are? It should work, but you need to change the readings in Composer to come from the remote sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstafford388 Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 You can, but it'd be better to get a Card Access contact sensor with their recommended external thermistor (which is submersible: http://www.cardaccess-inc.com/automation/products/index.php?a=details&i=50) Also gives you the option of going battery powered if that's preferable due to location etc, and avoids having to deal with powering the the thermostat with a messy 24VAC powersupply (the CA pice handles a wide range of voltage and ac/dc so a standard 12vdc supplies work. Probably ends up cheaper too. So would that just be turning that thermostat into a temperature display? would that essentially make the thermostat's main functionality useless? or in composer can you just tell it to display the remote temp but do the HVAC controls off of the thermostats reading? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Depends, you CAN program off of remote sensor separately if you want. keep the t-stat as a normal hvac control off of local, but I wouldn't recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 So would that just be turning that thermostat into a temperature display? would that essentially make the thermostat's main functionality useless? or in composer can you just tell it to display the remote temp but do the HVAC controls off of the thermostats reading? cinegration has a driver to have a temp display off off anything that u cn get a reading from....as Cy pointed out, this will work with card access ....is only a display, u wouldnt use a tstat, but u can program off the temps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstafford388 Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Makes sense. Thanks guys. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I’ll automate it Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 This is all great information. I was unaware that Card Access sold thermistors (and submersible ones at that!)... I think I am going to go that route as I am only using it to monitor temperatures and not actually control them. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFUG Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 ^and don't forget to install the display driver for that T point. Get it @ CA's website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidle323 Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 ^and don't forget to install the display driver for that T point. Get it @ CA's website.good tip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neldua Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 I use a Card Access with external thermistor to monitor my hot tub temperature works well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gix656 Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 I use a Card Access with external thermistor to monitor my hot tub temperature works wellHow is the thermistor installed? Just floating in the hot tub or did you drill a hole or secure it somehow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neldua Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Yes right now I have wire coming through little hole on side and over edge. I wanted to test reliability before something permanent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gix656 Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Thanks. Have a client that's interested in this but not sure how to run and secure the cable and sensor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Alternative is to tape one with duct reflector tape and some isolation tape over-top to the hot water pipe going to the tub. It would be one-two degrees off but you can calibrate that. Even a smudge off is plenty accurate enough for alerts etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neldua Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 That's a great idea, I will try that and provide some feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gix656 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Alternative is to tape one with duct reflector tape and some isolation tape over-top to the hot water pipe going to the tub. It would be one-two degrees off but you can calibrate that. Even a smudge off is plenty accurate enough for alerts etc.Sounds like a pretty good idea. Have you done this before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Sounds like a pretty good idea. Have you done this before? Only a dozen times or so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neldua Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 I taped the external thermistor to my heater pipe on my hot tub with hvac foil tape and the temperature was about .5oC - 1oC off at most.Thanks again Cyknight for the useful information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConnectC4 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Not sure what protocol is for dredging up old posts but was hoping to slightly high-jack and ask advice on bringing some spa (outdoor hot-tub) control into the 21st Century. With Control4. At the moment its a simple heater and pump motor all in one type system, with an air switch doing four functions (pump no heat, pump and heat, off, auto) and a potentiometer for a temperature control. I'm happy/confident wiring relays or what ever may be required into the exsiting board - would something like the CA relays with an external thermistor work as a make-shift hot tub Control4 integration solution? Was wondering if anyone else has done this? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Africa C4 user Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Best way is to use Pentair or Jandy and the appropriate driver... but there are many other workarounds that would work including the one you suggest... Just don't use it as some form of security shut down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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