After getting some opinions in the last thread I started, I think I am going to go with a sentinel chhc-4 controller. My question is how am I able to hook up a mini-split AC to this controller if the controller is only rated for 15 amps? I plan on picking up a 24k btu mini split AC and wanted it to be regulated by the controller, is this possible or out of the question?
-
As of today ICMag has his own Discord server. In this Discord server you can chat, talk with eachother, listen to music, share stories and pictures...and much more. Join now and let's grow together! Join ICMag Discord here! More details in this thread here: here.
Hooking up mini split AC to CO2/ environmental controller?
- Thread starter louie
- Start date
Here you go bro. http://www.randmsupply.com/productdisp.php?pid=583&navid=5 you just plug it into a wall outlet, then into your contoll unit and when your control unit comes on it will trigger the mini split to come on.
GanjaIsMyLife
Member
Yep exactly what he said, use the trigger cable pluged into your environmental controller, if dont know how to do that, relatively easy, you can buy the sentinel relay same thing just in a nice shiny box with lots of mark up.
B
Bob Smith
If you have a high SEER mini with an inverter, controlling it with an atmospheric controller will nullify the benefits of it - it's designed to run constantly and modify its output based on needs (where the efficiency is), not to be turned on and off like a conventional window/portable AC.
The same company makes a power expansion module the PMX-1.
http://grow-gps.com/?page_id=44
I have the CHHC-4, it's great.
I also have a mini split/heat pump and just run it in the auto mode. It's not run by the controller.
I set it for 76 degrees and it either heats or cools to maintain it.
http://grow-gps.com/?page_id=44
I have the CHHC-4, it's great.
I also have a mini split/heat pump and just run it in the auto mode. It's not run by the controller.
I set it for 76 degrees and it either heats or cools to maintain it.
Thanks for the info guys! Yeah that makes sense, I plan on getting a mini split with a high seer rating. I should probably just let the mini split AC and Sante Fe dehumidifier control themselves versus have them linked to a controller. After thinking about it I probably don't even need an environmental controller. I think I am going to end up going with the sentinel cppm instead to just control CO2.
G
Guest 18340
RIGHT ON THE F*%CKIN MONEY ANSWER!! K++
This is the same conclusion I came to after putting my setup all together.
It's probably better for the individual unit to use it's own control instead of having the power turn off and on constantly.
NorCalHal1
New member
Get the Sentinal PMX-1. Basically, it is just a relay that controls power to your Mini split.
Very easy to wire in, and the 120 triggercord plugs right into your CHHC4 to allow the Controller to operate the Mini split and react usuing the Sentinals "sniffer".
I paid alot for the controller, so I want to use it, otherwise, just a CO2 controller would have worked.
If you paid for it , let it do the work, and it seems much more accurate, and you have the ability to adjust the deadband with the controller.
IE, I have my cooling temps for daytime set @ 85 degrees. So, when the temps reach 85.5, the controller fires up the AC. (the AC is set to 65 degrees at all times). The AC will cool the room down to 82, and then shut off. You can set the controller to cool the room down however many degrees you want from the setpoint (deadband).
Very easy to wire in, and the 120 triggercord plugs right into your CHHC4 to allow the Controller to operate the Mini split and react usuing the Sentinals "sniffer".
I paid alot for the controller, so I want to use it, otherwise, just a CO2 controller would have worked.
If you paid for it , let it do the work, and it seems much more accurate, and you have the ability to adjust the deadband with the controller.
IE, I have my cooling temps for daytime set @ 85 degrees. So, when the temps reach 85.5, the controller fires up the AC. (the AC is set to 65 degrees at all times). The AC will cool the room down to 82, and then shut off. You can set the controller to cool the room down however many degrees you want from the setpoint (deadband).
GanjaIsMyLife
Member
Does your ac short cycle norcalhal1? As in does it just kick on for a couple of minutes every so often?
I believe thats bad for the compressor and hard on the components.
I believe thats bad for the compressor and hard on the components.
B
Bob Smith
NorCal, while it sucks that you already laid out the funtickets for the relay and Sentinel, that's what is called a "sunk cost" - unfortunately, that money is gone.
To use the logic that "I paid for it, I might as well use it" to control a mini which will cause it to short cycle, work inefficiently and break down way before its time doesn't make much sense (IMO).
Put your relay and Sentinel up on Craigslist (tons of buyers, I'm sure) and let your mini run the way it was designed to - there is no deadband with a mini, because the compressor will adjust to maintain your temp at exactly the setpoint, not run in a constant cycle of 85 down to 82 and then back up to 85, etc...............set it and forget it.
To use the logic that "I paid for it, I might as well use it" to control a mini which will cause it to short cycle, work inefficiently and break down way before its time doesn't make much sense (IMO).
Put your relay and Sentinel up on Craigslist (tons of buyers, I'm sure) and let your mini run the way it was designed to - there is no deadband with a mini, because the compressor will adjust to maintain your temp at exactly the setpoint, not run in a constant cycle of 85 down to 82 and then back up to 85, etc...............set it and forget it.
GanjaIsMyLife
Member
Yep^ or store it you never know when you'll need that sentinel, denial and error haha.
I myself have a little hardware store of euipment sitting in my garage, extra ballast bulbs hoods and inline fans, pumps, oscillating fans ducting, its nice when shit happens you got replacements on deck.
I myself have a little hardware store of euipment sitting in my garage, extra ballast bulbs hoods and inline fans, pumps, oscillating fans ducting, its nice when shit happens you got replacements on deck.
R
RedRain
why would you get a controller for an AC when it has a thermostat built into the indoor unit??
you would be stupid to do this, and your indoor unit of the mini split, is probably 240v. You set the temperature and you leave it. The unit will shut off when the desired temperature is reached. Even if its 120v, it would be retarded to cut power to the unit when it is monitoring your temperature turning on when the temp passes your desired temp all on its own.
your thermostat also has a 5 minute built in delay to allow the compressor pressures to equalize. you cannot just turn on and off the compressor whenever you want. You are doing it wrong!
That Sentinal PMX-1 is for window shakers or crappy portable AC's that are 120v. Your mini split is much more accurate, and has its own signal 3 wire from the indoor units stat to the out door unit to trigger the ac compressor and condenser fan to turn on.
you would be stupid to do this, and your indoor unit of the mini split, is probably 240v. You set the temperature and you leave it. The unit will shut off when the desired temperature is reached. Even if its 120v, it would be retarded to cut power to the unit when it is monitoring your temperature turning on when the temp passes your desired temp all on its own.
your thermostat also has a 5 minute built in delay to allow the compressor pressures to equalize. you cannot just turn on and off the compressor whenever you want. You are doing it wrong!
That Sentinal PMX-1 is for window shakers or crappy portable AC's that are 120v. Your mini split is much more accurate, and has its own signal 3 wire from the indoor units stat to the out door unit to trigger the ac compressor and condenser fan to turn on.
twist1uc
Member
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I think my situation may be similar to the original poster's.
I've already purchased a sentinel 4 for each of my 3 rooms (1 veg and 2 bloom).
I will be cooling the rooms with it's own air handler, all powered by a Banks 5 ton water chiller. (The veg room will have a 1 ton handler and the bloom rooms will each have a 4 ton handler)
Should I control the climate independently through an in room thermostat.... OR should I use a relay (like this: http://www.functionaldevices.com/building-automation/display.php?model=RIB2401B) to run in line in-between the sentinel controller and the air handler?
I've already purchased a sentinel 4 for each of my 3 rooms (1 veg and 2 bloom).
I will be cooling the rooms with it's own air handler, all powered by a Banks 5 ton water chiller. (The veg room will have a 1 ton handler and the bloom rooms will each have a 4 ton handler)
Should I control the climate independently through an in room thermostat.... OR should I use a relay (like this: http://www.functionaldevices.com/building-automation/display.php?model=RIB2401B) to run in line in-between the sentinel controller and the air handler?
