@chris14 (chris) posted a new topic, subject "Window AC unit control (messing around)". It read:

   The AC unit in my rented apartment is junk. It only has an on / off toggle and even if it could sense the current temperature correctly, there's no good way of adjusting it. I don't have a remote for it and the sock remote wouldn't have had that option anyway.
    
    My Solution…
    
    I used a cell phone app to get the IR codes and built a MQTT to IR device with an magnet sensor on it. So I could control it.
    
    To tell if it's on or off, I put a magnet on a flap and positioned the flap in front of the vent. So, when the AC is on the flap gets blown up and moves the magnet away from the sensor.
    
    I add 2 other ESP / DHT setups around my apartment to monitor temps.
    
    Yeah, it looks really rigged right now but works well. I can get the temp in my apartment exactly in the range I want it.
    
    And now I have other features too, like a 15 on/off cycle to save energy and my ears (the AC compressor is really loud).
    
    flapdown5312×2988 2.12 MB
    
      
    
    
    flapup4563×2366 1.53 MB

@jeubanks replied

    Interesting. I have AC units that are dumb and I use a ZEN15 power plug to just turn them on/off as needed. Also using remote temp probes like you.

@chris14 (chris) replied

    A relay was my first thought. But I'm in the US and it's 220v. ACs have very high power drains too. So, you want to be really careful with something like that.
    
    Besides, I had these parts laying around … I did the programming while the support frame was 3d printing. Like I said, I was kind just messing around.

Then @jeubanks said

    chris14:
    
    > But I'm in the US and it's 220v. ACs have very high power drains too. So, you want to be really careful with something like that.
    
    Yeah I'm in the US as well. Mine are small 110v units that are under 15a draw they pull a bit when they first cycle but I've watched and never tripped the overload protection in the ZEN15 and I have it puling the meter info to watch as well. The ZEN15 is made for a full 15a and I've pushed it and they work like a champ. Been using them for this for the last couple of years.


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