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OldGeek

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#319144 27-Mar-2025 11:40
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I am looking for something that will allow me to set on/off timers and temperature on a conventional cylinder with thermostat and 3KW heating element.

 

I already have a timer on the switchboard but space is tight, so would like to replace this with a device that is in the hot-water cupboard and includes temperature settings and record actual on/off timings.  Ideally this unit should have a phone/tablet app and Bluetooth etc.  I am expecting that a sparky install is needed.  I also have an under-bench cylinder in the kitchen and would like to be able to control this too.

 

The overall objective to to identify how many KWH is consumed by hot-water heating and what effect adjusting the temperature has.  This is a household of 4 adults and monthly power consumption is around 1100 KWH.

 

I don’t use any form of home automation tech.

 

 





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r0bbie
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  #3357846 27-Mar-2025 14:23
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I have had this over the last 4/5 years and its been perfect - set and forget and controlled via bluetooth

 

https://eurotechnz.co.nz/products/bluetooth-hot-water-cylinder-control-kit?variant=42444211749112&country=NZ¤cy=NZD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1

 

 




OldGeek

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  #3358097 28-Mar-2025 09:16
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That unit does not allow temperature settings.  In addition to timer control (on only during off-peak hours) I am hoping to see theeffect of lowering temperatures on power consumption.





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  #3358103 28-Mar-2025 09:30
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OldGeek:

 

That unit does not allow temperature settings.  In addition to timer control (on only during off-peak hours) I am hoping to see theeffect of lowering temperatures on power consumption.

 

 

Your HWC has a manually set thermostat so to do that your HWC would need a pocket for a temp sensor and you could then use automation to control power on/off.





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  #3358122 28-Mar-2025 09:41
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P.S. Rinnai have a SMART cylinder https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/water-heating/what-s-a-rinnai-smart-cylinder

 

No app though.





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  #3358133 28-Mar-2025 10:06
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Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.


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  #3358220 28-Mar-2025 13:10
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Spyware:

 

Rheem SS cylinders contain two temperature probe pockets.

 

https://rheem.co.nz/products/home/electric-water-heating/mains-pressure-stainless-steel/32518015

 


Only their larger ones unfortunately.  Also I'd call them to confirm before buying, their tech info is very inconsistent, they miss out and mix up details of the specs for different models while Rinnai give you consistent info for everything.


 
 
 
 

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BlargHonk
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  #3360208 3-Apr-2025 14:35
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Hopefully this isn't hijacking this thread, but it seems like the most relevant one for this problem

 

We have installed a Schneider Acti9 Mechanical Time Switch (15335) in our swtichboard for one of the elements for our new Hot Water Cylinder. This has been brilliant at shifting just about all our hot water power usage onto our free hours of power. The one downside is that we have had horrible luck with the reliability of the timer switches. 

 

The first one was dead on arrival, the second one starting humming loudly one night and now the third one has started whirring. Anyone have any experience with other timers that would have better reliability? Would digital ones be better than mechanical? 


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  #3360220 3-Apr-2025 15:10
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BlargHonk:

 

We have installed a Schneider Acti9 Mechanical Time Switch (15335) in our swtichboard for one of the elements for our new Hot Water Cylinder. This has been brilliant at shifting just about all our hot water power usage onto our free hours of power. The one downside is that we have had horrible luck with the reliability of the timer switches. 

 

 

Does the timer drive a contactor coil rather than element??





Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.


BlargHonk
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  #3360224 3-Apr-2025 15:20
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Good question. All I see in our switchboard is the MCB for the "HWC Constant", MCB for "HWC Timed" and then the Mech Timer.

 

Would the contactor coil be in its own slot on the Switchboard or hidden elsewhere?


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  #3360226 3-Apr-2025 15:28
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A suitable Schneider contactor https://www.se.com/nz/en/product/A9C22715/ict-16a-1no-1nc-230-240v-50hz-contactor/

 

P.S. Typically would be installed next to timer.





Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.


BlargHonk
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  #3360228 3-Apr-2025 15:31
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Awesome thank you. So that should go 'upstream' of the timer? I will be having words with my sparky..

 

Edit: Just to check, is it safe to install without a Contactor? Or will a contactor just make it more reliable? 


 
 
 

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Spyware
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  #3360229 3-Apr-2025 15:36
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BlargHonk:

 

Awesome thank you. So that should go 'upstream' of the timer? I will be having words with my sparky..

 

 

Yes, I have the identical timer and it drives the contactor I listed, no problem after 2 years.





Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.


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