humidity switch with remote sensor?
canoehead2
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I am looking for a humidity switch whose sensor can be located remotely (up to 2′ away) instead of having it exposed at the back of the unit.
I did some searching on the web and could only find very expensive electronic units (some with display screens) that could do this. I’m looking for something in a similar price range as the regular switches.
Edited 10/17/2007 8:19 am ET by canoehead2
Replies
What is the application for this?
Maybe an alternate way to solve you problem.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Want to switch a blower that is venting a crawl space only when the humidity level requires it (typically after heavy rains or during spring thaw).
"Want to switch a blower that is venting a crawl space only when the humidity level requires it (typically after heavy rains or during spring thaw)."But why does that need a remotely adjusted? Why not just set it leaving it alone.If you want some way ot just turn it off then install a simple on/off switch in series.I doubt that you will find a unit like this.It would have to have a mechanical shaft between the knob and the sensor/switch.An electronic one could be made and sold at a reasonable price. But I doubt that there is a market for one..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
>> But why does that need a remotely adjusted? Why not just set it leaving it alone.
I'm closing off the crawl space (not really a "crawl" space anymore) and want to switch to be accessible in case I need to replace it.
The space in under an addition attached to a foundation. An inline fan will suck air out of the space through a duct in the existing building and out an existing wall. (Make up air going in through another hole).
The switches on my (Sears) dehumidifiers would only need a longer wire.
Forgot to mention that we don't use them, prefering manual switching/monitoring. Want one? No idea how well they work.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Edited 10/17/2007 9:56 am ET by VaTom
>> Want one?
Uh, well, sure but isn't the switch attached to the unit? I'm not sure I follow.
but isn't the switch attached to the unit?
There is a humidity monitor/switch that turns the unit on. For automatic application, just like you're wanting. We don't use that feature, so the switch is surplus, assuming I can detach it without disabling the dehumidifier. I'll look at one of my spare dehumidifiers. This indicates a source: Sears repair parts. Whirlpool dehumidifier has the same feature. Apparently common.
With luck, it'll have a current rating on it. Won't be high, as total consumption is something like 7A. What do you need? A relay would solve that problem if it arises.
However, your question indicates that you don't often reconfigure appliances. This won't be a neat little switch in a box. Switches with wires dangling, relays; anything you want to mess with? PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
If you can tell me the model number of the unit, I'll try to buy a spare part. Please don't dismantle your unit :)
Thanks.
Whirlpool is model #AD50USL5, 6.2A, 50 pts/24 hrs (under idea conditions).
I can check the Sears unit tomorrow, and look at where the switch lives (front is already removed for heat isolation). To me, the switch is negligible.
Your application makes sense. No crawlspace here.
I once installed a commercial dehumidifier in a client crawlspace. Far as I know it was successful, with the rh sensing switch. Pretty sure that they'd call if the floor (under a pair of Subzeros) continued to drop. PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Thanks very much VaTom.
Just to be clear, what I am looking for is a humidity switch that I can place in my existing basement and run the probe that is attached to it through a hole in my foundation to the enclosed crawl space of my new addition. The switch would activate an inline fan to suck humid air out of the crawl space.
Edited 10/18/2007 8:08 am ET by canoehead2