I bought a third reality Temperature sensor in hopes that I could stick it in one of my vents and use it to control some fans to keep air flowing in my house. I created a Basic Rule and it is somewhat working. I tried to set it so that when the temperature in the vent is higher than 75 degrees the fans will turn on. This would work perfectly as far a timing. However, the sensor does not seem to update quick enough. It goes from reading 74 degrees to 88 degrees, and by the time it reads that temperature the furnace has shut off, defeating the purpose of what I want to use it for. Is there something in the device settings that can make the sensor update more frequently, or can I do something else to make this work? Thanks for your help!
Which device is it exactly? I have the one with the digital display on it and I found that it updates TOO often, nearly every 0.5 F change. But, there seems to be no way to change it. Even changing what should be the settings for reporting, the device ignores it and keeps reporting the same way.
What would work better in your case is if you had a smart thermostat tied into HE, then you could trigger the fans as soon as the thermostat kicked in.
You might even be able to tie a contact sensor or something like the input on a ZEN16 into the furnace to know when it kicks in its blower.
I wonder if the ZEN17 could be used here?
Yeah that was my thought as well, ZEN16 or 17 would probably work, it depends on what needs to be connected exactly. The ZEN17 has more advanced input and relay options. If all you need is to detect when a contact opens/closes (such as closing the loop on the convection blower) then either would work.
This is a little more advanced though, may not be an option for your average DIYer.
Thing is the 17 can handle the 24 volts the hvac likely uses, whereas the 16 is dry only.
Yeah good point, I guess that's what the C/VC inputs are for, I have never actually used them. I do not know exactly how one would connect this into the HVAC system, just in theory I know there should be a way to do it with one of those two devices.
I've used voltage input in the past on a 17 and can attest that it works.
There are probably relays for the different components of the heating system, eg the blower, that operate on 24v that could be tapped into.
Of course, not as "hands off", which could be a turn off.
edit: maybe try a different, ie better, sensor.
