Programmable Thermostat

[Tedinski]

Hello all!
I've looked back through posts for what type of thermostat might be best for my pellet stove.

The Rite Temp and Lux brands are often mentioned.

I've checked the stats of the Lux brand available at Home Depot. They all say +/- 1 degree F. Which model should I be looking at for a user-definable temperature band? (say 2 degrees, or 2.5?)
Sorry if this has been covered. I'll get more used to & better at searching as time goes on.

 

[Woody1911a1]

Skytech

 

[Tedinski]

Woo! Skytech's look good, but quite expensive!

 

[DBCOOPER]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/search/20422597/?q=lux+500&o=date&c[node]=14

(broken link removed to http://www.luxproducts.com/instructionmanuals.php)

 

[Cleetussnow]

Check ebay for skytech. Not as bad there. This is what i have and could not be happier.

 

[Tedinski]

Thank you thank you!
Home Depot lies. Using the link you provided I see a NUMBER of the Lux units provide "swing control", even though Home Depot lists them as "+/- 1 degree"

Even the basic units!

I have learned SO MUCH from these forums. Things I didn't know that I needed to know!

 

[Tedinski]

Check ebay for skytech. Not as bad there. This is what i have and could not be happier.

I'll check it out.

I think the Lux units will do quite nicely, but if I can find a Skytech for a steal I'll definitely grab it!

 

[imacman]

There are many forum members who use Lux units. Nice units, not too $$.
This is a nice one for a pellet stove:

http://www.amazon.com/Lux-PSP511LC-...4&sr=8-5&keywords=Lux+programmable+thermostaT

 

[saladdin]

The one in my sig. $30 on amazon, 2.25 degree swing. Using on Cab50.

 

[Tedinski]

Well, couldn't ask for a better match then. (same stove even!)

 

[saladdin]

Well, couldn't ask for a better match then. (same stove even!)

Works like a top. Just keep fresh batteries in it. Once mine got down to 40% according to the stat and would not click the stove on. Replaced batteries and works perfectly. I start with new at beginning of season and will switch once just for the heck of it in the middle of season.

Location is important. Make sure you sit down and think it through.

 

[jjk454ss]

The one in my sig. $30 on amazon, 2.25 degree swing. Using on Cab50.

If your looking for this one, the 1500, it's $19 on clearance at Menards right now. I know menards is regional, but if you have one around it's a great price. I just ordered it for $30 from amazon before I saw it at menards.

 

[Tedinski]

If your looking for this one, the 1500, it's $19 on clearance at Menards right now. I know menards is regional, but if you have one around it's a great price. I just ordered it for $30 from amazon before I saw it at menards.

Thanks for the tip... it's a long ways to a Menards for me.
I checked their website, and they don't sell the 1500E online!
Thanks for keeping an eye out for me.

 

[reallyte]

Beware of the 'a' version of lux tx500/tx1500, the 'a' version is the newest with the swing setting removed.

 

[Tedinski]

That's excellent information!
I would've been surprised when I got home.
Thank you!

 

[Tdamico]

So, I've been reading here about programmable thermostats. It sounds like they work well and make adjustments easier. Also sounds like it would be much easier for hubby to use (he's clueless about the stove) when I am not around. Will adding a t-stat alter or void my stove warranty?

 

[reallyte]

Adding a tstat should not void any warranties.

 

[briansol]

you rmnaual should state that it is compatible or not with it. generally, a millivolt type.

 

[DBCOOPER]

you rmnaual should state that it is compatible or not with it. generally, a millivolt type.

Whats a millivolt type thermostat?

 

[reallyte]

Most common are millivolt. Non millivolt hook up to things like electric registers.

 

[sinnian]

Skytech

 

[DBCOOPER]

Most common are millivolt. Non millivolt hook up to things like electric registers.

It was a retorical question. Since the pellet stove does not have a pilot light to generate the electrical current necessary to operate a non existant gas valve there is no reason for people here to keep saying you need a millivolt thermostat for a pellet stove. If you can run it with a jumper across the thermostat connections you can run it with any thermostat. Its just a switch.

Millivolt thermostats

As illustrated in the use of the thermostat above, the power is provided by a powerpile, which is a combination of many thermocouples, heated by the pilot light. This produces little power and so the system must use a low power valve to control the gas. This type of device is generally considered obsolete as pilot lights waste a surprising amount of gas (in the same way a dripping faucet can waste a large amount of water over an extended period), and are also no longer used on stoves, but are still to be found in many gas water heaters and gas fireplaces. (Their poor efficiency is acceptable in water heaters, since most of the energy "wasted" on the pilot light is still being coupled to the water and therefore helping to keep the tank warm). It also makes it unnecessary for an electrical circuit to be run to the water heater. For tankless (on demand) water heaters, pilot ignition is preferable because it is faster than hot-surface ignition and more reliable than spark ignition.)

 

[briansol]

a 24 volt thermostat will NOT hook up without some relay action, so your argument is invalid.

 

[tjnamtiw]

Beg to differ, Brian. I think DB is correct. As far as the pellet stove is concerned, it is just looking for a switch closure. A 24 volt thermostat just means its contacts and circuitry are capable of handling 24 volts when the switch closes. They don't need 24 volts to operate any circuitry within the thermostat.

http://www.epatest.com/store/resources/images/misc/how-a-thermostat-operates.pdf

 

[tjnamtiw]

Hello all!
I've looked back through posts for what type of thermostat might be best for my pellet stove.

The Rite Temp and Lux brands are often mentioned.

I've checked the stats of the Lux brand available at Home Depot. They all say +/- 1 degree F. Which model should I be looking at for a user-definable temperature band? (say 2 degrees, or 2.5?)
Sorry if this has been covered. I'll get more used to & better at searching as time goes on.

That reference to +/-1 degree F refers to the accuracy of the thermostat, not it's swing settings, if they are available. Not all thermostats offer swing settings so be careful. Mine in my signature also works very well and can be found occasionally for $19. There is no need for anything fancier IMHO unless you just like to spend money! I DO have a Skytech, which I got from EBay for my Castile since running a wire to it would have be a real PITA.