IS the shielded wire critical when wiring a remote temp sensor? It specifies 2 conductor shielded wire, but the location is prewired w the original 18/7 stat wire. The sensor itself is 2 conductor, with 3 conductors being used at the stat end. (The 3rd being connected to the shield)

[Link: homeauto.com]

Will this work w/o the shield being connected to the stat.


Another question. Can you paint the flush mount sensors w/o effecting the functionality?

Thanks

I don't know about it being "critical." Note that the shield is floated on the device end with no mention of terminating it at the stat. We've used solid core, unshielded tstat wire w/o problems in the past. Have had a problem or two as well using this, thus the spec for STP. Depends on the length and manner in which the tstat wire was run, any sources of interference nearby, etc. Assuming you didn't do the tstat prewire, I might float the caveat that there may be issues to the customer to manage his/her expectations. Then go ahead and try. Chances are it will work fine.

Painting won't affect performance. Note that it stands off the wall slightly. The business side is the air gap between the face of the device and the wall.

Thats what mad eme think it might not be critical, but wasnt sure

The "business" side is the outward facing side, or wall facing side? I was assuming it was the outward (visible) facing side. I has planned on using a utility knofe to score the drywall a bit, so it mounts flush, and doesnt have the 1/16" protrusion. (Similar to what you have to with a lot of "old work" J boxes, to get them to sit flush.) If Im usnderstanding your post correctly, this might not be a good idea.

never been an issue with hai stuff before

My understanding is the face of the unit is not used temp sensor circuit, thus you can paint it. If it was used, you couldn't. The business portion of the unit is in the stalk behind the round face


Yeah, can't do that. It needs to stand off. For what it's worth I've never had a customer complain about this. Once painted it looks WAY better than any other option.

Thanks

We have flush mounted HAI's stats by doing exactly as you stated (scored sheetrock, etc.) with out a problem. We are indeed getting accurate results and the temp sensors have a skim coat of mud and paint. Completely disappeared and once again, we are getting accurate temp reading. I am not saying you'll always get away with it but you may. We are.

I suppose you could account for the fact that it's buried by adjusting the offset of the tstat. Not sure you'd get accurate results in all modes and during all seasons. Not sure this would work up north here where we have a very wide range of temps and outside conditions.

That's a good point, tnova. They've only been installed for about 4 months. So I should be thankful that all is well thus far. So far, so good.

If it works now, AZ, it probably would in winter as well assuming that it was mounted in an interior wall. Exterior wall would be another thing, I think. Tstat in my office is on exterior wall and requires 4 degrees of offset to compensate for crappy insulation allowing cold air behind it in winter, as an example.

Both are interior wall. We actually moved the sensors from where the stats were going to be located. HVAC fella had them too close to an active door.

That's funny. I swear most of those guys no nothing beyond air handlers and tin.

Why not use a Aprialaire of HAI remote sensor and not have to worry about cutting the sheet rock to bury the thermostat.

Marc

???

thats exactly what I am doing. See original post.

we actually used 4 wire tstat wire, we did a retro on a house in wisconsin that we put the t stat in the furnace room and used the exsisting tstat cable for remote temp sensor.... worked like a charm

ed