Thermostatic switch for 6kw portable air conditioner ??

[aidendewhirst]

Ive got a large 6kw air conditioner used to keep a storeroom cooler during hot periods, its currently run on a 24hr timer but this means its sometimes probably running when the room is already cold enough thus wasteing electricity.

Ive seen plug in thermostats but these are all only rated upto 3kw.

Could I risk using one of these?? Or any suggestions on how I could rig a switch up?[/b]

 

[JohnW2]

Ive got a large 6kw air conditioner used to keep a storeroom cooler during hot periods, its currently run on a 24hr timer but this means its sometimes probably running when the room is already cold enough thus wasteing electricity.

AC units normally have their own thermostats - are you sure you're not 'missing' one?

Ive seen plug in thermostats but these are all only rated upto 3kw. Could I risk using one of these??

Not really. Quite apart from the 'overloading' issue, your 6kW AC unit presumably is not plugged in (to a 13A socket) anyway, is it? (6 kW is about double the capability of a 13A socket).

Kind Regards, John

 

[aidendewhirst]

Unfortunately this model only has settings for either high or low fan speed, no themostat or temperature control.

 

[333rocky333]

Is it a fixed or portable unit, if its a fixed unit and you have an internal wiring diagram, it may be possible to mount a normal stat on it wired into the internal wiring or possibly wire a stat and contacter to the wall mounted supply

 

[Taylortwocities]

If there is no thermostat, then it is a relatively simple electrical job to get a "cooling" thermostat to operate a contactor (aka relay). this relay can then switch the cooler on or off.

Per the above. The first thing is to determine where the unit is powered from, it should not be a 13A plug/socket if its a 6KW unit.

 

[bernardgreen]

no themostat or temperature control.

Are you sure there isn't provision for a thermostat but the installer did not fit a thermostat and just linked out the connections on the controller ?

Make and model ? Then if a data sheet is available it may give details of how to fit the thermostat.

 

[aidendewhirst]

AIR CONDITIONING UK - BROUGHTON MCM20

* 20,000 BTU's of cooling(5.9 kW's) * Features integral foldaway exhaust permanently attatched to the unit * Cool up to 2 areas simultaneously * Advanced air movement system to reduce noise and temperature * 'fan-only' setting adds flexibility * Easy to transport and manoeuvre * Tough steel * Runs off 13A 240V supply

Its a portable unit, I bought it 2nd hand so no instructions or anything with it with any diagrams

 

[Sparkz1963]

Switching 6KW would ideally require a 32A contactor. In laymans terms the thermostat would energize the 230v coil of the contactor closing the contacts to a 6KW 32A supply. Regards Steve

 

[JohnW2]

Switching 6KW would ideally require a 32A contactor. In laymans terms the thermostat would energize the 230v coil of the contactor closing the contacts to a 6KW 32A supply.

True, but there now seems to be some uncertainty as to what this "6 kW" is all about ...

* 20,000 BTU's of cooling(5.9 kW's) ... * Runs off 13A 240V supply

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

Though bearing in mind, a contacter switching the supply may not be suitable.
More so with portable units the contacter will turn unit off ok but when switched back on, the unit may have reverted to standby mode until the power button is pressed on the unit.

EDIT
Mind you, if its on an external timer already then it must auto start

 

[EFLImpudence]

May not be straight forward -

MCM20 Operating Instructions
On the control panel of the unit are 2 buttons, and 2 lights. The buttons are marked and they operate the fans, and the cooling cycle. One light indicates the power is on to the machine and the other, when the condensate tank is full of water.
Operation
Check that the power light is ON. Switch the air conditioning unit on by first turning on the fans. Then begin cooling by switching on the cooling cycle using the cooling button. The time delay, of up to 10 mins, before the compressor switches on is a safety feature, to protect the unit.

 

[bernardgreen]

The 6 kW is the amount of heat the unit can "pump" out of the room.

As most heat pumps can pump at least twice as much heat as the power required to drive them then this unit is likely to be using about 3 kW to move the 6 kW of heat.

 

[FDJ]

The 6 kW is the amount of heat the unit can "pump" out of the room.

As most heat pumps can pump at least twice as much heat as the power required to drive them then this unit is likely to be using about 3 kW to move the 6 kW of heat.

Correct!
Equivalent cooling power is 6kW NOT power consumption.
It is stated that it runs from a 13A Plug so no more than 3kW.

Could be run from a plug-in thermostat.
Frank.

 

[bernardgreen]

Could be run from a plug-in thermostat.
Frank.

It may not be that simple as

Check that the power light is ON. Switch the air conditioning unit on by first turning on the fans. Then begin cooling by switching on the cooling cycle using the cooling button.

suggests that starting the unit requires a three stage sequence :-

[1] power on
[2] start the fans
[3] start the cooling cycle ( turn on the compressor )

A simple timer can control the power but one or two delay to operate relays may be needed to operate [2] and then [3]

 

[JohnW2]

The 6 kW is the amount of heat the unit can "pump" out of the room. As most heat pumps can pump at least twice as much heat as the power required to drive them then this unit is likely to be using about 3 kW to move the 6 kW of heat.

Correct! Equivalent cooling power is 6kW NOT power consumption. It is stated that it runs from a 13A Plug so no more than 3kW.

Yes, fair enough.

Could be run from a plug-in thermostat.

Load-wise, yes - but as is being discussed, it might not be quite as simple as that with this particular AC unit, in view of the required 'start up sequence', seemingly involving at least two switches, that the unit requires (oOne wonders how this is working with the external 'timer' control the OP currently has).

Kind Regards, John