Topic: Using the AC1100 for fridge control

[Rover1822]

I mentioned this in another thread, but I thought I should add some clarifications and cautions.

I have a small fridge in the garage, that has a flaky thermostat.
So using a t/h sensor and the AC1100 I have done the following

1. set the fridge thermostat to max
2. Programmed the AC1100 smart switch to turn on the fridge if the temp is > 38F, and off if temp is <36F with 2 triggers

The Pros on this, depending on fridge is that most fridges use a mechanical thermostat , which may have large swings in temperature. Using the temp sensor and switch in this case, can allow you to fine tune the temperature and figure out a reasonable hysteresis and be more accurate on the actual fridge temp.

Cons: You are essentially making the fridge operate or not, so if you have things like fridge lights, they won't work when the switch is off. Also , you are bypassing the actual function of  designed fridge. I would not do this on a modern fridge with advanced controls or ice maker, water dispenser, etc.

I have no idea really on how this will effect the compressor of the unit

So, in the end proceed at your own risk. I'm doing this with a small fridge (think like a 4.9 cu ft  dorm, or etc ) in my garage where the mechanical  thermostat can no longer be adjusted to meet my needs, it is 25 years old, and I am go to replace it. This was done as test. Actually, as I see this works, I could have held off on ordering a new fridge and run the old one till it died, but I need the fridge, so I had ordered a new one, before this test.

[Rover1822]

Adding a pic about how this works...

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[SamiS]

I mentioned this in another thread, but I thought I should add some clarifications and cautions.

I have a small fridge in the garage, that has a flaky thermostat.
So using a t/h sensor and the AC1100 I have done the following

1. set the fridge thermostat to max
2. Programmed the AC1100 smart switch to turn on the fridge if the temp is > 38F, and off if temp is <36F with 2 triggers

The Pros on this, depending on fridge is that most fridges use a mechanical thermostat , which may have large swings in temperature. Using the temp sensor and switch in this case, can allow you to fine tune the temperature and figure out a reasonable hysteresis and be more accurate on the actual fridge temp.

Cons: You are essentially making the fridge operate or not, so if you have things like fridge lights, they won't work when the switch is off. Also , you are bypassing the actual function of  designed fridge. I would not do this on a modern fridge with advanced controls or ice maker, water dispenser, etc.

I have no idea really on how this will effect the compressor of the unit

So, in the end proceed at your own risk.

If you are using an external switch with a fridge that has an mechanical thermostat, then the only real worry is not to use too small hysteresis of temperature. If you start and stop the compressor too often, it will affect its lifecycle. Also most compressors do not have enough power to start if there is still high pressure left on the circulation, so they will trip the internal overcurrent/overheat protection if switched back on too soon. But basically the mechanical thermostat is only an on-off-switch controlled by temperature, so nothing really changes except the light.

But if the fridge has an electronic thermostat or other electronics like temperature display, internal fan etc, or even an inverter controlled compressor then using external power on-off-switching will very likely cause severe stress to the longevity of the components, and can’t be recommened unless you have nothing to lose anymore.

[Rover1822]

Yep, and I added decent hysteresis, at the temperature I have set with a (now a 1 degree difference) starts are ~ 30 minutes apart, door closed. For sure, if you go in and out a lot this will shorten in time accordingly.

I did mention the disclaimer , lol , about not using on units with advanced controls, or even and ice maker


 

[wxfan]

Nice idea, but as mentioned the compressor start/stop is not the best for its lifecycle.

So the smartplug works over RF only? So AC1100 to GW and then via wifi or lan to ecowitt app?

I am looking for smatplugs that don't use wifi.

[Rover1822]

WiFi or internet? they are not the same

The switch does not use WiFi or Internet, it is wireless, but it needs to connect to a gateway that has access to the internet.

[wxfan]

WiFi or internet? they are not the same

The switch does not use WiFi or Internet, it is wireless, but it needs to connect to a gateway that has access to the internet.

Exactly as I mentioned, WiFi. Funny that you mention, I always try to explain to people that wifi is not the same as internet.

In any case you answered my question. The plug communicates with the GW via RF, that part is clear. Why would it need internet to communicate with the Ecowitt App? Does it go through the Ecowitt server? That's odd. It could just communicate to the local device via LAN or WLAN.

[Rover1822]

No, I get it, but with this iteration, the gateway does need to connect with the site for configuration.

I can make some assumptions on why, and also things may change, but for now, that is the way it is.

Also AFAIK,  the Internet connection , does not determine the functionality of the unit  (I mean switching on/off), after configuration, that becomes local.

I could be wrong and Oliver , I'm sure will jump in to clarify anything I have said in error

[G.Brown]

I had a problem with my 'new' fridge for years - when under warranty I got them in as it was defrosting when in cold conditions and I was told it is a peculiarity of fridges that they must work in an ambient of above a certain temperature so I lived with this for years.
When I got my ecowitt station first thing I did was put sensors in fridge and freezer compartment and what a shock, no wonder I had been getting intermittent food poisoning for years.
After some research found which screw on the thermostat was the hysteresis/differential and eventually took the plunge and tried removing the thermostat as the screw was hidden otherwise.
Turned out to be a simple operation to remove the thermostat and the capillary simply pulled out and back in with little resistance.
Tweaked it a few times and viewed the resulting graph on ecowitt and finally had it working to my satisfaction after twenty odd years!
I do get frost build up on the back but this seems to increase the efficiency of the fridge....some say this means the magnetic seal needs replacing and have tried the 'Vaseline' trick on that but still get ice.
My graphs should still be on ecowitt site or do the only store for a year or so.?

[henry]

WiFi or internet? they are not the same

The switch does not use WiFi or Internet, it is wireless, but it needs to connect to a gateway that has access to the internet.

Exactly as I mentioned, WiFi. Funny that you mention, I always try to explain to people that wifi is not the same as internet.

In any case, you answered my question. The plug communicates with the GW via RF, that part is clear. Why would it need the internet to communicate with the Ecowitt App? Does it go through the Ecowitt server? That's odd. It could just communicate to the local device via LAN or WLAN.

For setup, you need internet&wifi involved, as the programming is done on the app, then the server will interpret the setting and download it to the Gateway. After this, the gateway and the AC1100 or WFC01 work on their link under the SubG radio band.  you can leave the system without wifi or internet. The only thing missed is the log file that the gateway won't be able to update on the server side.

[Gyvate]

For setup, you need internet&wifi involved, as the programming is done on the app, then the server will interpret the setting and download it to the Gateway. After this, the gateway and the AC1100 or WFC01 work on their link under the SubG radio band.  you can leave the system without wifi or internet. The only thing missed is the log file that the gateway won't be able to update on the server side.

@Henry:
I know that it is set up that way now - but this doesn't mean that it needs to remain that way.

I'm sure that many users would appreciate a local option, also for creating the smart plans and for saving and potentially processing the logs as they contain the usage/consumption information (as far as I know).
And the new consoles GW1200, GW2000, WS3800, WS39x0 should have enough memory and power to do the processing (alternatively, optionally) on their own. Becoming - if wanted and needed - completely independent from the internet and an internet based cloud service. A pure intranet setup (where a local subnet would be the mini version of this). Imagine a company which wants to use the IoT plugs but doesn't allow access to and from the internet. Not a far-fetched scenario.

The Ecowitt app is a mere internet app - and with the cloud concept a logical step.
But for the processing in a local network or intranet, it's not helpful.
Here WS View Plus could become a front end candidate. Of course a network path to access the (also) locally stored logs would need to be configured. Imo not too complicated an architecture. 

[ebrewer]

The AC1100 user manual seems to imply that it is only compatible with the GW1200 or GW2000.  OP, do you just have the 1000 and 1100 listed in your sig?  I have a GW1000.
Thanks, Eric

I mentioned this in another thread, but I thought I should add some clarifications and cautions.

I have a small fridge in the garage, that has a flaky thermostat.
So using a t/h sensor and the AC1100 I have done the following

1. set the fridge thermostat to max
2. Programmed the AC1100 smart switch to turn on the fridge if the temp is > 38F, and off if temp is <36F with 2 triggers

The Pros on this, depending on fridge is that most fridges use a mechanical thermostat , which may have large swings in temperature. Using the temp sensor and switch in this case, can allow you to fine tune the temperature and figure out a reasonable hysteresis and be more accurate on the actual fridge temp.

Cons: You are essentially making the fridge operate or not, so if you have things like fridge lights, they won't work when the switch is off. Also , you are bypassing the actual function of  designed fridge. I would not do this on a modern fridge with advanced controls or ice maker, water dispenser, etc.

I have no idea really on how this will effect the compressor of the unit

So, in the end proceed at your own risk. I'm doing this with a small fridge (think like a 4.9 cu ft  dorm, or etc ) in my garage where the mechanical  thermostat can no longer be adjusted to meet my needs, it is 25 years old, and I am go to replace it. This was done as test. Actually, as I see this works, I could have held off on ordering a new fridge and run the old one till it died, but I need the fridge, so I had ordered a new one, before this test.

[olicat]

Hi!

The AC1100 user manual seems to imply that it is only compatible with the GW1200 or GW2000.

Have a look at the compatibility list or the must read thread.
The IoT devices are ALSO supported by WS3800 and WS39xx as well as the WN1980C., WN1920C and the WN18xx in addition to the GW1200 and the GW2000.
No success with GW1000 ...

Oliver

[Rover1822]

As the OP, I was using a GW2000, end of my sig was a wittboy , which is a GW2000 which I should break out in terms
But olicat's pointers are appreciated on other units that will do it.

I don't expect GW1000/1100 will be updated to handle the task.

I know that seems unfortunate, but the GW1200 , is cheap, considering

[ebrewer]

Thank you both.  I'll start looking for the least painful way of copying over setup from my old one.... 

[Rover1822]

Going from you nick, the fridge I put off this controller, was one that I used to place cornelius kegs in , the door was drilled for taps , and the top for CO2. After 20 years, I think I drove it too hard with all the leaks.

But I also see a use, if you want to lager , and have a fridge and fermenter to fit. Alas, I was using a 35 gallon fermenter, and I went to extremes to build a cabinet with refrigeration to bring temp down.

Had a device like this existed, back then , say 25 years ago, would have made life a bit easier to  handle.