$18 Wireless Switch for Thermostat, Will it Work?

[scrapmetal57]

I have an older furnace in my detatched garage, controlled by my old house thermostat. It just switches a 24VAC signal coming from the furnace. I want to be able to turn the heat on without going outside and have been looking for options.

I found this remote controlled switch on Amazon for $18. Looking at the manual, it seems that I should be able to use this to interrupt the thermostat wire and control it from my house.

Has anyone done something like this? I think this is the easiest and cheapest way to get wireless control to my garage heat.

Amazon link: Solidremote 202U

Product Manual

 

[Jonnynel]

I would recommend the "sonoff" brand of modules. If you wanted to control it from a phone. They make several that handle 5v -24volts along with modules that handle 120v. This one is the 4 channel low voltage one that could also be used to open your garage door with your phone if needed. It also has the ability to set up a schedule or timers, which could be handy with a thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072M4CRD9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This one is a cheaper single channel one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079FNSH1Z/?tag=atomicindus08-20

None of these have a dedicated remote like the one you posted but seem to be a lot more expandable if you could use your phone. They are also Alexa enabled. Only thing I am not sure about is if they work without a wifi network, might need to look into that if you don't have wifi to the detached garage.

 

[scrapmetal57]

I would recommend the "sonoff" brand of modules. If you wanted to control it from a phone. They make several that handle 5v -24volts along with modules that handle 120v. This one is the 4 channel low voltage one that could also be used to open your garage door with your phone if needed. It also has the ability to set up a schedule or timers, which could be handy with a thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072M4CRD9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This one is a cheaper single channel one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079FNSH1Z/?tag=atomicindus08-20

None of these have a dedicated remote like the one you posted but seem to be a lot more expandable if you could use your phone. They are also Alexa enabled. Only thing I am not sure about is if they work without a wifi network, might need to look into that if you don't have wifi to the detached garage.

Cool, I'll have to check it out. I was hoping to power the module with the 24VAC from the furnace transformer, but maybe I should tie into the separate power supply. I might have to anyways, I haven't spend enough time looking at the wiring diagrams yet to figure it out.

 

[rlitman]

I have a Sonoff 4CH Pro. I believe the Pro model is the only device they make that does not require line voltage. However, it’s input is DC. There’s a chance that you could use a cheap bridge rectifier with your 24VAC to feed it though. Other than that, it’s rather easy to use and setup.

 

[scrapmetal57]

I have a Sonoff 4CH Pro. I believe the Pro model is the only device they make that does not require line voltage. However, it’s input is DC. There’s a chance that you could use a cheap bridge rectifier with your 24VAC to feed it though. Other than that, it’s rather easy to use and setup.

I have a I have a spare 12v power supply so that shouldn't be an issue to dedicate to it.

 

[rlitman]

That would work. Whenever I throw out electronics that come with wall-wart transformers, I'll hold onto the 12V power supplies, as they seem to come in handy a lot.