Mini split and raspberry pi fusion

[vavet]

I have a mini split in my detached garage. The lowest set point for heat in 62. I wish it was a bit lower. I don’t want to keep the building warmed to 62 all the time. I think 50 would be good.

The easiest way would probably be to hack the code for MR Cool to change that minimum temp. I have no idea how to do that.
I figure there has to be a way to do with an external device with a temp sensor.
My Mr Cool unit has a web app where it displays the on/ off status, the current temp, and the set point.
It also has a wireless remote in the garage.
I might not be able to change the minimum set point, but I could turn it on when the temp is below 50 and turn it off when it reaches 52. This would be easy if there was an actual button to do it, but I’m not sure how to do it with these soft controls.

Pepper me with your ideas.

 

[ericm]

Does your Mr Cool have FP mode? It may only be in the app. That sets the thermostat for 46 degrees.

https://iwae.com/resources/videos/use-mrcool-app-diy-ductless-mini-split.html

 

[vavet]

Does your Mr Cool have FP mode? It may only be in the app. That sets the thermostat for 46 degrees.

https://iwae.com/resources/videos/use-mrcool-app-diy-ductless-mini-split.html

I got really excited when I saw your post because my remote control has a FP button....but it doesn’t do anything.
I don’t see anything that says FP in the app either.
I guess it’s a remote that ships with lots of different units. Bummer,

 

[mike93lx]

is the remote IR? maybe an IR blaster for the Pi and the right code to send a signal when the desired temp is reached?

 

[vavet]

is the remote IR? maybe an IR blaster for the Pi and the right code to send a signal when the desired temp is reached?

So I’d need to know what the “on” or “off” blink patterns look like that come out of the remote. I’d then program the pi to replicate those patterns when the temp sensor reaches the one and off temps. I like this idea. It’s much simpler (for me) than trying to hack into the Mr Cool software.

How do I learn what the blink patterns coming out of the remote look like? It seems like I heard something about this using a cell phone camera.

 

[mike93lx]

So I’d need to know what the “on” or “off” blink patterns look like that come out of the remote. I’d then program the pi to replicate those patterns when the temp sensor reaches the one and off temps. I like this idea. It’s much simpler (for me) than trying to hack into the Mr Cool software.

How do I learn what the blink patterns coming out of the remote look like? It seems like I heard something about this using a cell phone camera.

I would bet there is an IR sensor available for the PI. Basically to treat it like a learning universal remote

 

[mobetta]

you need to hold the fp button down for a few seconds....

 

[ericm]

Did you watch the video? They hid FP in the app's setup menu and it's called 8 degrees C.

 

[ttpete]

So I’d need to know what the “on” or “off” blink patterns look like that come out of the remote. I’d then program the pi to replicate those patterns when the temp sensor reaches the one and off temps. I like this idea. It’s much simpler (for me) than trying to hack into the Mr Cool software.

How do I learn what the blink patterns coming out of the remote look like? It seems like I heard something about this using a cell phone camera.

You just watch the LEDs through the camera screen. It works with small point-and-shoot cameras, too.

 

[Innovate1]

I remember long ago there being some sort of X10 device for setting back the temp. It was just a small heater below the thermostat that raised the temp around the thermostat about 10 degrees which effectively lowered the set point 10 degrees. You could do something like that and not mess with your Mr. Cool at all. Maybe use an incandescent light bulb for the heater.

 

[vavet]

you need to hold the fp button down for a few seconds....

Outstanding! This did it!

I owe you a cold one Mobetta!

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

Hey Everyone,

I'm also very interested in being able to set a lower temp than 62 for heating with the Mr. Cool mini splits (without using the FP mode).

I'm using two of the 18k units in an outbuilding where the ideal heating temperature in one room is 50 degrees and 60 in the other (62 is close enough).

I'm sure a minimum set temp of 62 works fine for 98% of situations but it seems like a real oversight to not have any sort of "range expansion" available. I'd happily spend $100/unit for a clean solution that would allow a minimum setpoint of 50 degrees.

 

[ericm]

There's this unit that fools AC or mini splits into cooling below the software minimum (for use in walk in coolers and similar): https://www.storeitcold.com/

I wonder if the same folks would consider making something like that for mini splits to lower the heat minimum. Or if someone could take the concept. You'd need an easy way to cool the mini split's temp sensor, maybe a Peltier device, and a controller.

Of course it would be easier for the mini split manufacturers to just change their software but people who want lower minimum heat are probably a minority of their customers.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

There's this unit that fools AC or mini splits into cooling below the software minimum (for use in walk in coolers and similar): https://www.storeitcold.com/

I wonder if the same folks would consider making something like that for mini splits to lower the heat minimum. Or if someone could take the concept. You'd need an easy way to cool the mini split's temp sensor, maybe a Peltier device, and a controller.

Of course it would be easier for the mini split manufacturers to just change their software but people who want lower minimum heat are probably a minority of their customers.

I actually use those Coolbots for cold storage rooms, they work well and the same concept would definitely work for the mini splits, just seems so stupid to me that I'll likely have to go the route of "fooling" the mini split to get the temp where I need it.

Just blows my mind that the functionality isn't there. Granted there's likely only a few of us that really need it but I don't see how it would hurt anyone to have the option.

 

[ffghtr356]

I actually use those Coolbots for cold storage rooms, they work well and the same concept would definitely work for the mini splits, just seems so stupid to me that I'll likely have to go the route of "fooling" the mini split to get the temp where I need it.

Just blows my mind that the functionality isn't there. Granted there's likely only a few of us that really need it but I don't see how it would hurt anyone to have the option.

Did you ever try the coolbot on the Mr cool mini split