Advice for Installing an electric thermostat.

[Bowsnbucks]

Note that there is a difference between circuit wire and fixture wire. The fixture itself may be 14 guage wire but I’m guessing that the circuit wire that feeds it is 12 guage. And explains the 20 amp breaker. For example a ceiling light fixture will have leads that are 16 or 18 guage wire but the circuit feed is 14 guage with an appropriate breaker.

That's correct - internal manufacturer wiring is what it is - and the manufacturer is responsible if it fails. My advice is for the supply of that device, which any electrician is responsible for who does the actual installation. Many times electric motors will have much smaller internal "factory" leads, but require larger wiring to supply it, along with the appropriate breaker for that wire. You hit it.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

^ This is one (of many) reasons I do not do electricity.

C'mon Foggy ............ wet your fingers and get in there!!!!

 

[Foggy47]

That's correct - internal manufacturer wiring is what it is - and the manufacturer is responsible if it fails. My advice is for the supply of that device, which any electrician is responsible for who does the actual installation. Many times electric motors will have much smaller internal "factory" leads, but require larger wiring to supply it, along with the appropriate breaker for that wire. You hit it.

The electrician that installed this for me is a big asshat. He also did our home......and he would not service anything on my home.....much less this little cabin. He lost much of his biz with the contractors that he used to work for. He is hopeless.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

The electrician that installed this for me is a big asshat. He also did our home......and he would not service anything on my home.....much less this little cabin. He lost much of his biz with the contractors that he used to work for. He is hopeless.

I hope you find a GOOD electrician, Foggy. What he did with you isn't cool at all. Doing sidework over the years in addition to my career large project work, I corrected a lot of mistakes and shoddy work done by others. Some guys just don't care. Best wishes with your heater - or any other electrical needs. Have a good day, friend!

 

[Foggy47]

I hope you find a GOOD electrician, Foggy. What he did with you isn't cool at all. Doing sidework over the years in addition to my career large project work, I corrected a lot of mistakes and shoddy work done by others. Some guys just don't care. Best wishes with your heater - or any other electrical needs. Have a good day, friend!

I stopped at my deer shack today.....and the heat was at 55 degrees. I spent some time with setting the heater by moving the thermostat up in tiny increments and listening to it click on and off as I adjusted it to about 62 degrees when I had to go. It had run through the cooling phase......and that was about all the time I could spend.

I'm not certain it's "fixed" .....but we had a similar issue last year when setting it for the first time. I'm gonna have to go with it as is this year.....as I do not have more time to fix it before our season here starts and I get family coming to use the shack. I do have a small electric oil heater (looks like an old radiator) that can be used to "top off" the heat in the cabin.

I leave for Arizona in ten days.....and will be there until Christmas (for some treatment my wife needs to have). I will give some instruction to my Son-in-Law whom is pretty familiar with this heater operation. Had similar situation in the past. We will likely shut it down about Thanksgiving.

I need to source an electrician and get it done over next summer. Simply out of time this year. Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[Buckly]

Don’t want to point out the obvious but, after paying an electrician for service call, time and parts you can probably set yourself up with a nice new unit

 

[Foggy47]

Don’t want to point out the obvious but, after paying an electrician for service call, time and parts you can probably set yourself up with a nice new unit

I know your right.....and I can be kinda tight on a project like this too. I may be able to find a decent local electrician that will do this as a side job.......I gotta ask around a bit. Can't do it right now anyway.......gonna have to make do. Back burner item. More research coming.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I stopped at my deer shack today.....and the heat was at 55 degrees. I spent some time with setting the heater by moving the thermostat up in tiny increments and listening to it click on and off as I adjusted it to about 62 degrees when I had to go. It had run through the cooling phase......and that was about all the time I could spend.

I'm not certain it's "fixed" .....but we had a similar issue last year when setting it for the first time. I'm gonna have to go with it as is this year.....as I do not have more time to fix it before our season here starts and I get family coming to use the shack. I do have a small electric oil heater (looks like an old radiator) that can be used to "top off" the heat in the cabin.

I leave for Arizona in ten days.....and will be there until Christmas (for some treatment my wife needs to have). I will give some instruction to my Son-in-Law whom is pretty familiar with this heater operation. Had similar situation in the past. We will likely shut it down about Thanksgiving.

I need to source an electrician and get it done over next summer. Simply out of time this year. Thanks for the suggestions!!

Happy to help when I can. Safe travels to AZ. and back.

 

[bigboreblr]

Another thought. Smart thermostat if you got wifi. Turn up the heat before you leave the house for camp. Keep an eye on temps whenever you want.

 

[Foggy47]

Another thought. Smart thermostat if you got wifi. Turn up the heat before you leave the house for camp. Keep an eye on temps whenever you want.

Yeah.....was thinking about this today. Also, can keep an eye on current temp in the shack. The only thing is.....I do not have a wi-fi in my cabin. Not even sure if anything is available. I suppose that would add a minimum of $50 / month. Maybe more.

Hard to justify at this point in time.....I suppose if wi-fi cameras were available.....then that could be on the table. Tech just keeps moving forward.

 

[Brian662]

Yeah.....was thinking about this today. Also, can keep an eye on current temp in the shack. The only thing is.....I do not have a wi-fi in my cabin. Not even sure if anything is available. I suppose that would add a minimum of $50 / month. Maybe more.

Hard to justify at this point in time.....I suppose if wi-fi cameras were available.....then that could be on the table. Tech just keeps moving forward.

You can use a cell camera wall mounted aiming at your thermostat. Some cell cameras can take pictures on demand so you could see the readout for ~$10/month

 

[birdog]

Or you can do as suggested and put in a baseboard heater and be done with it. You will also be able to sleep a little easier at night. You don't have to have an electrician install it if you can find a competent handy man. So simple even a caveman can do it!

 

[Foggy47]

You can use a cell camera wall mounted aiming at your thermostat. Some cell cameras can take pictures on demand so you could see the readout for ~$10/month

Yeah......and so I could see an issue from AZ.....but what could I do about it? Nope.

 

[Brian662]

Yeah......and so I could see an issue from AZ.....but what could I do about it? Nope.

You don't know anybody local that can check up on things for you?

 

[b116757]

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Ranco-ETC-111000-000-Single-Stage-ETC-Temperature-Control-w-8-Sensor-120-240V-Input?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_HVAC_X_SSC_ClassA&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkvK37t3HiQMV5i3UAR0OGigAEAQYASABEgJH7_D_BwE

I use these controllers for my lumber dry kiln and my in floor heating system there are several different versions been good line voltage temperature controllers for me over the years.