Home Automation - Smartkit

@phaktza - So this may be a silly question but how would I be able to check if my geyser is a 15A/3000w geyser? Also I guess the one downside to this setup is if the WiFi goes does as sometimes happens, then the geysers stays on until physically switched off, am I correct?
 
ahmedy said:
@phaktza - So this may be a silly question but how would I be able to check if my geyser is a 15A/3000w geyser? Also I guess the one downside to this setup is if the WiFi goes does as sometimes happens, then the geysers stays on until physically switched off, am I correct?
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It's the power of your element. Often it's on the geyser and most newer geysers shouldn't exceed 3000w.

Additonally the scheduler will continue to function in the absence of WiFi connectivity. You also have a local LAN function to control the device in the absence of Internet connectivity.
 
ahmedy said:
@phaktza - So this may be a silly question but how would I be able to check if my geyser is a 15A/3000w geyser? Also I guess the one downside to this setup is if the WiFi goes does as sometimes happens, then the geysers stays on until physically switched off, am I correct?
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No the WiFi is only there for manual interaction.

If you’ve set timers etc they will continue working as normal.

Unless like some of us you run a home automation system separately that does all the automation and scheduling.
 
This may seem like normal for you guys by now but I'm mind blown by what is possible.
 
I still dont understand why anyone would want to control a daily use geyser. There is practically no saving in turning it off if its just going to come back on the next day. Added complication for what.
 
Maybe there could be a saving if combined with a temp sensor and good insulation. It takes more energy to heat water from room temp to 50 or 60 degrees, than heating from 40 to 60, and with proper insulation, it should take longer for water to cool down, which means less energy to reheat to required temp.

Maybe I'm talking complete nonsense, so could someone confirm this (or not).
 
calypso said:
I still dont understand why anyone would want to control a daily use geyser. There is practically no saving in turning it off if its just going to come back on the next day. Added complication for what.
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My solar-powered geyser chows power when it's turned on even on hot days.
I currently have it on a timer to turn on in the late afternoon but would love to get a thermostat and sonoff to turn it on only on cold days.
 
calypso said:
I still dont understand why anyone would want to control a daily use geyser. There is practically no saving in turning it off if its just going to come back on the next day. Added complication for what.
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Mine uses half the electricity when on a timer, so "practically" - that's a big saving.
 
Well, I guess everyone's application is different. I put an efergy meter on mine and possibly the insulation is great and the ceiling is really warm but I see hardly any standing losses. If your standing losses are high then sure a timer could save you some money, but the issue is the insulation.
 
calypso said:
Well, I guess everyone's application is different. I put an efergy meter on mine and possibly the insulation is great and the ceiling is really warm but I see hardly any standing losses. If your standing losses are high then sure a timer could save you some money, but the issue is the insulation.
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It's going to vary vastly due to different variables like times of use, the number of people, size of geyser etc.

The only way to really know would be to measure.
 
PsYTraNc3 said:
My solar-powered geyser chows power when it's turned on even on hot days.
I currently have it on a timer to turn on in the late afternoon but would love to get a thermostat and sonoff to turn it on only on cold days.
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This doesn't sound correct. I have a solar geyser and don't see any consumption on hot days. (The pump is also solar Powered)
 
spikegv said:
This doesn't sound correct. I have a solar geyser and don't see any consumption on hot days. (The pump is also solar Powered)
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It depends how much use and the size of the geyser. Also when is the water used?
 
alqassam said:
It depends how much use and the size of the geyser. Also when is the water used?
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Agree. But I would definitely play with the settings to optimise it. My one geyser is currently sitting on 78 no grid consumption and the other one is on 63 which was used to bath the kids.
ae0c75d9a3b220744b6cbe70dba5cc10.jpg
 
Yeah my 300l solar geyser also gets to the high 70s on a sunny summer day before the kids shower.

Pity my pump is AC so running off mains. WIll have to wait for it to pack up then will look at replacng with a DC/Solar setup.
 
calypso said:
I still dont understand why anyone would want to control a daily use geyser. There is practically no saving in turning it off if its just going to come back on the next day. Added complication for what.
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No complications just empowerment. Firstly, for our use case, putting geyser on timer, saves about 3-4kw a day. I tested as I have both energy and power monitor on geyser itself with the proper insulation on geyser and all pipes

The empowerment comes in that while the geyser may be on a very flexible timer e.g. my kitchen geyser comes on for 1.5 hours only on days the domestic is in, but off for the rest, I can change anytime anywhere.

For the main bathroom , if we on holiday or not at home for a weekend, we can turn off easily so it's not running needless. As soon as we land, we can power on geyser or if we an hour away from house, do the same if required to bath kids etc. Just ask Alexa on phone.

For us, it works and is better than the fixed timer thingees. Will never go back.

Having said that, the bathroom geyser is now heated by a heat pump which uses less electricity over course of day so the element is permanently turned off but on cold days if need a boost , just tell Alexa to turn to do it.

Will put a power monitor/switch on this too to control/monitor it when I get time
 
calypso said:
I still dont understand why anyone would want to control a daily use geyser. There is practically no saving in turning it off if its just going to come back on the next day. Added complication for what.
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There was this huge debate on one of the Facebook groups I belong to on this.

After going through the comments, I noted the people that disagreed had all never tried. Ever. They read an article or heard from their expert plumber - and their mind was made up.

On the other side, every single person that tried this, saw results from R70 to R200+pm depending on their usage and timer.

I save R120.00pm or so
 
eehellfire said:
The attached diagram shows what I did

EDIT: DISCLAIMER: I am not an electrician and am not giving you electrical advise. All such work should be carried out by a suitably qualified and certified professional
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I came right thanks, Installed, setup and working
 
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