Re-verber-ray thermostat wiring

[ScaldedDog]

The 2-stage tube heater I got to replace my failed Reznor, came with the thermostat wiring diagram below.

They don't use the typical wiring designations, but I think "24VAC" is the Rc terminal, and "N" is the C terminal. Does that make sense? The note and dashed line depict a wire going from the N (C) terminal back to the unit, and appear to show it connected to a screw on the case. That doesn't make sense to me.

I only have 2 wires between my unit and thermostat, so I was planning to connect them to W1 and W2, and use a wall-mounted transformer connected to C and Rc. Any reason that won't work?

Mark

 

[Bert_]

24 = R
N = C
Low = W1
High = W2

You need at least 3 wires to make it 2 stage. Otherwise you're going to be on either low or high all the time

 

[ScaldedDog]

Got it. And N connects to the case, per the diagram?

Mark

 

[Bert_]

Got it. And N connects to the case, per the diagram?

Mark

No reason to question it, since it is with the diagram shows. The transformer should be grounded to the case so it makes sense.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Doesn't R get 24vac from the transformer in the heater, and wouldn't C need it, too? I don't see how the thermostat can run off ground to the C wire terminal.

Mark

 

[Bert_]

Doesn't R get 24vac from the transformer in the heater, and wouldn't C need it, too? I don't see how the thermostat can run off ground to the C wire terminal.

Mark

C is common. Between R and C you get 24v. Just like hot and neutral in a house. The common side of the transformer is usually grounded to the case.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Thanks man. For some reason I was seeing 24vac, and thinking "24vdc". Your analogy brought it home for me, if you'll pardon the pun.

For some reason, connecting 24vac from the transformer to R didn't work, but connecting to Rc caused the thermostat to come on. No call for heat, though, until I jumpered Rc back to R. That did the trick, and it's now working fine.

I'm not sure how to test the 2nd stage when it's in the 80s, but I'll get around to that.

Thanks for your help!

Mark

 

[Terry D]

The C is needed if you need both sides of the 24 volt for your thermostat. One example being a WiFi thermostat. ( there are some WiFi stats that doesnt need the C wire) If the thermostat has batteries, some will only run off the batteries and some will have a C terminal, so it will use the 24 volt, and the batteries are there just for back up