Thermostat for "Dumb" Mini Split

[Angelfire]

Hiya Folks,
I have a mini split that operates with an IR remote. I would like to make it "smart" so I can control it while away/prevent freezing temps/etc...... I've been looking at a number of these units that mimic your remote and communicate with the mini split via its IR but haven't been able to find anything that would say let me set the low temp of 40 such that the thermostat would kick on the heat until a certain temp is reached, then turn it back off. Was just wondering what others have done? The unit I have does not offer a wifi/app to be installed.
Cheers

 

[mike93lx]

If you are tech savvy, as Raspberry Pi with an IR blaster and a thermocouple should be able to do it.

 

[Ohmthis]

What is the make and model?

 

[Angelfire]

If you are tech savvy, as Raspberry Pi with an IR blaster and a thermocouple should be able to do it.

I'm savvy enough but have not done anything with the microcontrollers such as Raspberry. It's on my list of things to do, eventually

 

[Angelfire]

What is the make and model?

It's a Gree Multi24 outdoor unit with Terra indoor units. I have not found a factory solution (ie. WIFI/App upgrade) that can be added to the indoor units.

 

[terabitdan]

Thermostat for "Dumb" Mini Split

You can also use a zwave setup to control it. Get a z-wave temp sensor, controller and heavy duty switch likes the GE Z-Wave Wireless Smart Lighting and Appliance Control, 40 Amp, Large Load, Direct-Wire, Indoor/Outdoor, For Pool Pumps, Hot Water Heaters, Landscape Lighting, and Other Large Appliances. I like Samsung SmartThings, but any of them will work.

Use the switch to control power to the outdoor unit, when the temp drops below your desired temp, the switch turns on and activated the heat pump. When the temp is high enough, open the switch. This is one of the standard automation routines in SmartThings. You can then set a different temp when your home, or remotely control it.

Most mini-splits restore previous settings on power loss and restore. They also send the complete settings via infrared each time a button was pressed.


Edited to replace a switch and relay with the heavy duty switch.

 

[ToddL]

I use a Broadlink RM pro to do exactly what you want. Turn it on remotly with your phone, set it to turn on or off by a timer, etc. the app is a bit hokey, but once you learn it its not terrible. I havnt found a way to make it come on by a temperature, but the unit has a built in thermostat.

 

[Angelfire]

Thanks. I saw the Broadlink offering on Amazon and was thinking with a temp sensor on board, it might work for me. It doesn't get the best of reviews but it's cheap enough to give it a try. I've also seen the Flair pucks which may work as well but are 3x the price of the Broadlink.
Cheers.

 

[ToddL]

I looked on the broadlink web page and they show doing a logic condition like you want to do if it goes below a temperature. I think it should work.

 

[mike93lx]

Re: Thermostat for "Dumb" Mini Split

You can also use a zwave setup to control it. Get a z-wave temp sensor, controller and heavy duty switch likes the GE Z-Wave Wireless Smart Lighting and Appliance Control, 40 Amp, Large Load, Direct-Wire, Indoor/Outdoor, For Pool Pumps, Hot Water Heaters, Landscape Lighting, and Other Large Appliances. I like Samsung SmartThings, but any of them will work.

Use the switch to control power to the outdoor unit, when the temp drops below your desired temp, the switch turns on and activated the heat pump. When the temp is high enough, open the switch. This is one of the standard automation routines in SmartThings. You can then set a different temp when your home, or remotely control it.

Most mini-splits restore previous settings on power loss and restore. They also send the complete settings via infrared each time a button was pressed.


Edited to replace a switch and relay with the heavy duty switch.

The fan on my minisplit runs for a couple minutes after it is done heating/cooling. I don't think i'd want to be pulling the plug on it that frequently.

 

[terabitdan]

Re: Thermostat for "Dumb" Mini Split

The fan on my minisplit runs for a couple minutes after it is done heating/cooling. I don't think i'd want to be pulling the plug on it that frequently.

I wouldn’t recommend cycling it on and off to maintain a specific temperature. The way I read the OP was a way to turn it on if temperature dropped below a certain range. Once the power is turned on, the thermostat on the mini-split would maintain the previous set temperature. Then only shut it off the power after a 10 deg rise.

For example to prevent frozen pipes you set the mini split temp as low as it will go. Shut off the power with the zwave. Once the indoor temp hits 40, power kicks on. Mini-split runs for hours until reaching 50, then cut the zwave back off.

I agree, you don’t want to be maintaining a 1-2 degree range with this setup. It’s that’s the goal then the remote infrared controllers are a better solution.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk