WiFi switch for Geyser options?

[vylint]

Hello folks

I'm looking for suggestions for wifi enabled switches to control off/on times for home geysers. I rather like the Sonoff wifi switches but I see these are NOT recommended for controlling your geyser.
Are there other options I can consider that are available in South Africa?

I'm certain some Carb members are already doing this, please share your setups. =)

Thank you!

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Hello folks

I'm looking for suggestions for wifi enabled switches to control off/on times for home geysers. I rather like the Sonoff wifi switches but I see these are NOT recommended for controlling your geyser.
Are there other options I can consider that are available in South Africa?

I'm certain some Carb members are already doing this, please share your setups. =)

Thank you!

You can still use the sonoffs. But rather than hooking it up to the geyser, you can use sonoff to control a relay/contactor that controls the geyser.

 

[gbyleveldt]

Only Sonoff rated correctly is this:

Sonoff Pow R3

You can use this as well if you happy with Tuya integration

SMART CONTROLLER ASTUTE CBI

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Only Sonoff rated correctly is this:

Sonoff Pow R3

You can use this as well if you happy with Tuya integration

SMART CONTROLLER ASTUTE CBI

This is good. Better prices at sonoff africa though.

 

[Confucius]

Hello folks

I'm looking for suggestions for wifi enabled switches to control off/on times for home geysers. I rather like the Sonoff wifi switches but I see these are NOT recommended for controlling your geyser.
Are there other options I can consider that are available in South Africa?

I'm certain some Carb members are already doing this, please share your setups. =)

Thank you!

Just wondering why you want to do this though. If you have solar and would like to heat water mainly during the day then there is benefit but just the geyser timer alone doesn’t do much for electricity saving.

I use a sonoff th16 with an external relay / contactor that I use to monitor the temperature as well as control the power to the geyser. I have solar though and try to heat the geyser to max during the day.

 

[Ninja Sandwich]

Link

I got mine from Builders, was about R400 if I remember correctly, I took the WiFi enabled version of the link above

 

[DuncanBH]

Like stated above this is the one, I've installed a couple times works well

CBI Astute Smart Controller ASC-BP

• Wi-Fi enable (2.4 GHz only) • Compact size • Energy monitoring • Energy control • Multiple ON\OFF programs • Protective lift-up cover -sealable • Dual mount

www.chamberlains.co.za

 

[vylint]

Just wondering why you want to do this though. If you have solar and would like to heat water mainly during the day then there is benefit but just the geyser timer alone doesn’t do much for electricity saving.

I use a sonoff th16 with an external relay / contactor that I use to monitor the temperature as well as control the power to the geyser. I have solar though and try to heat the geyser to max during the day.

I don't have my geysers connected to my solar system; if all geysers decide to heat up at the same time, it would trip my current 6k inverter for sure. So main reason for wanting to control my geysers is to limit the time it can be on... in the hopes of reducing my monthly consumption. In the future, I'd be keen to get a heat pump setup for my geyser needs.

 

[vylint]

Like stated above this is the one, I've installed a couple times works well

CBI Astute Smart Controller ASC-BP

• Wi-Fi enable (2.4 GHz only) • Compact size • Energy monitoring • Energy control • Multiple ON\OFF programs • Protective lift-up cover -sealable • Dual mount

www.chamberlains.co.za

I do like this idea: CBI-ELECTRIC ASTUTE SMART CONTROLLER

What mobile app software are you using with this @DuncanBH @DoringRosie ?

 

[DuncanBH]

I do like this idea: CBI-ELECTRIC ASTUTE SMART CONTROLLER

What mobile app software are you using with this @DuncanBH @DoringRosie ?

CBI Home - Apps on Google Play

Living a smart future

play.google.com

This is what I use

 

[Qui_Illustrati]

Have a Sonoff POW on my geyser for years now. Zero issue. 3kw element. Housing stripped and safely secured in the isolator box. Solar geyser supplemented by grid during the colder months.

 

[Confucius]

I don't have my geysers connected to my solar system; if all geysers decide to heat up at the same time, it would trip my current 6k inverter for sure. So main reason for wanting to control my geysers is to limit the time it can be on... in the hopes of reducing my monthly consumption. In the future, I'd be keen to get a heat pump setup for my geyser needs.

Okay then it makes sense.

In this case, something that you can read the temperature and control based on that would be preferable.

I have 3 geysers. 1 has an evacuated tubes setup on it, in series with a standard 150l electric. Then have another separate 200l with a Heatpump. I diy installed everything so costs were kept down but with the price you pay for a heatpump installed, it doesn’t make financial sense to me. ROI would be pretty long. If I were to do it again, I’d just getting more solar panels and extra geysers for storage.

 

[Confucius]

Have a Sonoff POW on my geyser for years now. Zero issue. 3kw element. Housing stripped and safely secured in the isolator box.

There’s been a few cases where the element connected directly to the pow results in the relay on the pow burning out. I wouldn’t take a chance.

Yes, from the ratings of the pow, you are technically fine but the built in relay seems pretty tiny to handle 3kw.

Sonoff isn’t exactly SABS approved and in the unlikely event that you end up with a fire, insurance can have a field day with your claim.

 

[DuncanBH]

These CBi relays are rated for 30A resistive and 10A inductive so for geyser 3kw there's more than enough Room to go 4kw according to their specifications, if things go south that's why we have circuit breakers and earth leakages , although not having SABS approval they do have SANS to meet stated specifications . So it's not like you buying a Chinese special that will probably burn your house down

 

[Qui_Illustrati]

There’s been a few cases where the element connected directly to the pow results in the relay on the pow burning out. I wouldn’t take a chance.

Yes, from the ratings of the pow, you are technically fine but the built in relay seems pretty tiny to handle 3kw.

Sonoff isn’t exactly SABS approved and in the unlikely event that you end up with a fire, insurance can have a field day with your claim.

Yip. I did the maths and it's well within the operating parameters. Like I said, been running it for years sans issue. In fact running sonoffs without the housing in every light switch, motor and pump with no issue.

Valid points though. A few cases though shouldn't warrant massive panic. As with everything in life there are always 'a few cases' that deviate from the norm.

Practice safety and exercise some critical thinking and all shall be well.

 

[Qui_Illustrati]

These CBi relays are rated for 30A resistive and 10A inductive so for geyser 3kw there's more than enough Room to go 4kw according to their specifications, if things go south that's why we have circuit breakers and earth leakages , although not having SABS approval they do have SANS to meet stated specifications . So it's not like you buying a Chinese special that will probably burn your house down

Not intimately familiar with the brand, know of it though. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the innards are made in China, like virtually everything else
Blasting Chinese made products is as good as pissing in the wind. Most of the things you use daily comes out a factory in China. Just the reality of it all.

An example, I know the OP is running off a 6kw Goodwe. Want to hazard a guess where that comes from?

 

[Confucius]

These CBi relays are rated for 30A resistive and 10A inductive so for geyser 3kw there's more than enough Room to go 4kw according to their specifications, if things go south that's why we have circuit breakers and earth leakages , although not having SABS approval they do have SANS to meet stated specifications . So it's not like you buying a Chinese special that will probably burn your house down

The CBI seems solid. Was more referring to running the sonoffs directly.

WARNING: Sonoff POW R1 burned!

This is my second Sonoff POW R1 that blew up. I was running Tasmota. I’m very lucky that by house didn’t burn down and that the flame was contained This particular device was running well for >1year with daily automations turning on and off several times a day. It was connected to a water...

community.home-assistant.io

At an additional cost of R80 for a 40A 220V rated relay, I prefer to rather be safe than sorry.

 

[abd]

63A 1P Smart Circuit Breaker with monitoring - eWelink

Connect this high powered Smart Switch to your high current appliances and control it from anywhere. This device is perfect to control your geyser (up to 63A). You can set this device to automatically switch off your geyser during peak times and switch it back on during off peak times.

www.robofactory.co.za

These work well with ewelink and energy monitoring as well. Available from chinese stores cheaper.

 

[Confucius]

Not intimately familiar with the brand, know of it though. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the innards are made in China, like virtually everything else
Blasting Chinese made products is as good as pissing in the wind. Most of the things you use daily comes out a factory in China. Just the reality of it all.

An example, I know the OP is running off a 6kw Goodwe. Want to hazard a guess where that comes from?

Most of the CBI range also comes fro China. So does Sonoff and most of the other smart switches.

In China, you get the original stuff, then you get fakes, then there’s the fakes of the fakes, and the fakes of the fakes of the fakes and so on. It’s the later that seem to be the problem and is generally associated with “cheap Chinese”

 

[DuncanBH]

Not intimately familiar with the brand, know of it though. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the innards are made in China, like virtually everything else
Blasting Chinese made products is as good as pissing in the wind. Most of the things you use daily comes out a factory in China. Just the reality of it all.

An example, I know the OP is running off a 6kw Goodwe. Want to hazard a guess where that comes from?

Not blasting Chinese products blasting quality control, CBi has in house built and calibrated products making sure you get the best possible Chinese combo , 6kw is still with in 30A for OP to use that specific product

 

[DuncanBH]

63A 1P Smart Circuit Breaker with monitoring - eWelink

Connect this high powered Smart Switch to your high current appliances and control it from anywhere. This device is perfect to control your geyser (up to 63A). You can set this device to automatically switch off your geyser during peak times and switch it back on during off peak times.

www.robofactory.co.za

These work well with ewelink and energy monitoring as well. Available from chinese stores cheaper.

Giving a geyser a load of 63A before tripping is a moersa fire risk but what do I know, Chinese products lekker 🤣

 

[Ninja Sandwich]

I do like this idea: CBI-ELECTRIC ASTUTE SMART CONTROLLER

What mobile app software are you using with this @DuncanBH @DoringRosie ?

I literally have this, it's very nice, the app is called CBI Home, you can see how much power you use per month, you can set schedules for when it should turn on and off, you can set to get notifications, it's also got a manual button if you ever feel the need to switch it on/off outside of scheduled hours.

 

[abd]

Giving a geyser a load of 63A before tripping is a moersa fire risk but what do I know, Chinese products lekker 🤣

In the ewelink app this device has a setting where one will set the maximum A before tripping. Doesnt mean it will reach 63A. I had set it to 15 or 20A as per previous breaker

 

[gbyleveldt]

The CBI seems solid. Was more referring to running the sonoffs directly.

WARNING: Sonoff POW R1 burned!

This is my second Sonoff POW R1 that blew up. I was running Tasmota. I’m very lucky that by house didn’t burn down and that the flame was contained This particular device was running well for >1year with daily automations turning on and off several times a day. It was connected to a water...

community.home-assistant.io

At an additional cost of R80 for a 40A 220V rated relay, I prefer to rather be safe than sorry.

Oh boy I feel a serious case of deja-vu coming on lol.

As @Vassen has quite rightly said, the CBI (and Sonoff POW3) are better suited at high current switching than a Sonoff POW2. The issue isn’t with the specified power rating of the POW2 as much as it is with the incorrect push type terminals used. If you cannot secure high current cabling using correctly rated screw terminals, you run the risk of a poor connection heating up and creating a fire risk, as has been well documented all over the internet. Yes, it can work if the connection is done well, but doing it wrong is just as easy.

Anyway, I’ve had enough arguments with people on the internet about using incorrectly applied equipment in high current situations. If guys don’t want to listen, let it burn…

 

[Confucius]

Oh boy I feel a serious case of deja-vu coming on lol.

As @Vassen has quite rightly said, the CBI (and Sonoff POW3) are better suited at high current switching than a Sonoff POW2. The issue isn’t with the specified power rating of the POW2 as much as it is with the incorrect push type terminals used. If you cannot secure high current cabling using correctly rated screw terminals, you run the risk of a poor connection heating up and creating a fire risk, as has been well documented all over the internet. Yes, it can work if the connection is done well, but doing it wrong is just as easy.

Anyway, I’ve had enough arguments with people on the internet about using incorrectly applied equipment in high current situations. If guys don’t want to listen, let it burn…

Yeah, I also had that feeling when I saw you part of this discussion. Same discussion, different forum. 😂

 

[Qui_Illustrati]

Yes, it can work if the connection is done well, but doing it wrong is just as easy.

This, as with most things in life, is the crux of it.

 

[vylint]

Thanks for all the input.

Being cost conscious, I'm thinking of trying these Tuya switches, anyone have any experience with these?
henractech.co.za

• R340.00 (incl vat)
• Works with Amazon Alexa, Google home and supports IFTTT on the Fastest and most Stable Platform available.
• Configure and Schedule activation dates, days of the week, start times, duration, geo-fence to name but a few.
• Smart WiFi Geyser Control Switch 30A (9600W)

That geo-fence feature is super interesting.....not sure how I'd quite use that though.

If not these, then my next option is going to be the CBI units which cost around R480 each.

 

[P1000]

Thanks for all the input.

Being cost conscious, I'm thinking of trying these Tuya switches, anyone have any experience with these?
henractech.co.za

• R340.00 (incl vat)
• Works with Amazon Alexa, Google home and supports IFTTT on the Fastest and most Stable Platform available.
• Configure and Schedule activation dates, days of the week, start times, duration, geo-fence to name but a few.
• Smart WiFi Geyser Control Switch 30A (9600W)

That geo-fence feature is super interesting.....not sure how I'd quite use that though.

If not these, then my next option is going to be the CBI units which cost around R480 each.

The box says 30A, but if you open it up, there is a 16A relay inside... (I have not actually bought one, but that's what I see from searching for the product code. 30A 250V relays are actually not that common, and usually are bigger and of the latching variety)

 

[vylint]

The box says 30A, but if you open it up, there is a 16A relay inside... (I have not actually bought one, but that's what I see from searching for the product code. 30A 250V relays are actually not that common, and usually are bigger and of the latching variety)

Oh hectic! Won't be trying this switch from henractech then, thank you very much for this.
=)

 

[rinners]

I literally have this, it's very nice, the app is called CBI Home, you can see how much power you use per month, you can set schedules for when it should turn on and off, you can set to get notifications, it's also got a manual button if you ever feel the need to switch it on/off outside of scheduled hours.

How many apps do you have? Does it work with HA?