Heat Pumps and Electric Home Heating - Vacation Home Problem
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Joe.Carrick
09-20-09, 07:12 AM
We have a small home in the mountains of Southern California. I recently installed 2 LG LWHD type Window AC/Heat Pump units with electric heat. They work great, but I want to be able to set at least one of them to automatically keep the temperature in the home at least 55F during the winter when we are not there.
The problem is that in heat mode the fan continues to run even when the heating element is off. Obviously the internal thermostat is not set to control the fan, only the heating element. I assume this is so the air circulating thru the unit can trigger the thermostat to cycle the heating element on and off as needed.
These units are 230V 30amp - each has it's own dedicated circuit. If I have the unit set to heat mode and turn off the breaker the unit stops but when I turn the breaker back on it resums the heating mode.
Is there a way to install a separate external thermostat to control the circuit itself? IOW, a thermostat that would interrupt the power if the temp was above a set level and turn it back on when the temp got below 55F.
Otherwise, how do I rewire the internal to turn off the fan when the heating element is shut down?
The problem is that in heat mode the fan continues to run even when the heating element is off. Obviously the internal thermostat is not set to control the fan, only the heating element. I assume this is so the air circulating thru the unit can trigger the thermostat to cycle the heating element on and off as needed.
These units are 230V 30amp - each has it's own dedicated circuit. If I have the unit set to heat mode and turn off the breaker the unit stops but when I turn the breaker back on it resums the heating mode.
Is there a way to install a separate external thermostat to control the circuit itself? IOW, a thermostat that would interrupt the power if the temp was above a set level and turn it back on when the temp got below 55F.
Otherwise, how do I rewire the internal to turn off the fan when the heating element is shut down?
dac122
09-21-09, 07:31 AM
What model LG do you have?
Joe.Carrick
09-21-09, 09:18 AM
LWHD1800HR & LWHD1200HR
Ideally, I would like both of them to shut down the fan when in Heat mode and the heater is not on.
Ideally, I would like both of them to shut down the fan when in Heat mode and the heater is not on.
dac122
09-21-09, 09:43 AM
I can't find any information that would expose how the unit is wired internally or if you can install and external tstat. So the only options I see are to contact LG and see if they can help, or build your own. I would caution you from modifying the units as it might void the warranty.
To build your own you'll need a 220V relay/contactor, a transformer and tstat. To control one unit you'd need a 24VAC 220V DPST relay/contactor, a 24VAC transformer and tstat.
To build your own you'll need a 220V relay/contactor, a transformer and tstat. To control one unit you'd need a 24VAC 220V DPST relay/contactor, a 24VAC transformer and tstat.
dac122
09-21-09, 09:55 AM
Just had a thought: what about a line voltage thermostat? They are designed for electric baseboard heaters, but might work for this application. Just make sure you get a 4 wire unit (DPST) that forces you to tie in both hots and disconnects them when not calling for heat.