powering wireless Insteon thermostat

[62vetteefp]

I am putting the wireless tstat in the same place as the old tstat. It will communicate with a wired 2441 tstat.

 

I thought I would be able to use two of the old tstat wires to power the wireless 2441 by hooking the furnace end up to a common and R terminals in my zone controller (24v ac). However in reading the directions it says I need:

 

Any generic AC/DC adapter that has a 5-7.5V and 200mA output will work. (Do not use an adapter greater than 7.5V to avoid damaging the thermostat.)

 

Is there anyway of getting around this? My only thought is that I get an adapter, attach to the wires in the basement and then plug it into a wall socket.

 

thanks

[LeeG]

The 2441ZTH has been found sensitive to voltage much over 5v. The specs would indicate a 6 volt supply will work (which is what I have) but the 2441ZTH sends many Humidity messages with the 6 volt supply. A user on the Smarthome forum posted a solution, putting a diode in series with the + leg of the 6 volt supply to bring the supply down close to 5v. That solved his many Humidity message problem. Have not tried that yet but it is simple solution if it works for all 2441ZTH devices.

[Brian H]

If you have to get an adapter.

I would go for a five volt regulated type.

Some unregulated types only have the rated voltage output at the rated current. A lower current load would give a higher voltage.

 

If you have the six volt one. The series diode will lower it to closer to five volts as LeeG mentioned.

[62vetteefp]

In my zone controller it is 24v ac. Is there a simple way of converting to 5 v dc?

 

I have a 110v ac to 5v 550 ma phone charger I could use if I want to plug into a wall socket.

[LeeG]

I would think the cost of a good 5V DC supply to be not much more than buying the components and some type of component box to package the converter from 24V AC to 5V DC.

 

The 2441ZTH specs on the sales page indicates a 5V supply as the optional supply but the same sales page refers to a 6V power supply (which is what I am using and have an excess of Humidity messages).

 

A cell phone charger supply may not be regulated enough to power the 2441ZTH

[Xathros]

I use one of these to power a number of my 5v devices (including the ISY). It's overkill for just a Stat but will provide a nice stable 5V.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Amico-Regulated-Switching-Converter-Display/dp/B008SO6MIO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391019963&sr=8-2&keywords=5v+switching+power+supply

 

I also have a 12V version for my router, switch and DIN relay.

 

-Xathros

[62vetteefp]

Would these work?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24vac-24vdc-to- ... 3a865c0e2d

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Transform ... 3cd3670aa2

 

http://www.surveillent.com/altronix-vr1 ... MgodgQ8A4g

[larryllix]

USB wallwarts are usually much cheaper, easily available, and most are switching PSs now. They put out 5vdc and typically capable of 0.5A up to 2.0A. One comes with every cell phone, iPad etc. I think I have 30 of them here now.

[Xathros]

Would these work?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24vac-24vdc-to- ... 3a865c0e2d

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Transform ... 3cd3670aa2

 

http://www.surveillent.com/altronix-vr1 ... MgodgQ8A4g

 

Looks to me like any of those would work. Like Larry said, any USB wallwart would suffice and likely be much cheaper.

 

-Xathros

[62vetteefp]

USB wallwarts are usually much cheaper, easily available, and most are switching PSs now. They put out 5vdc and typically capable of 0.5A up to 2.0A. One comes with every cell phone, iPad etc. I think I have 30 of them here now.

 

I have the one I mentioned earlier. But I really am trying to go from 24vac.

[LeeG]

Then build a 24V AC to 5V DC converter. If you have Radio Shack in the area I'm sure they have the parts to build one.

[62vetteefp]

Then build a 24V AC to 5V DC converter. If you have Radio Shack in the area I'm sure they have the parts to build one.

 

Me? Would not know where to start. Not electrically inclined.

[LeeG]

Then the idea of using 24V AC as the starting point for a 5V DC power supply would seem unrealistic. Applying 24V AC to the thermostat will damage the device. Building that power supply is simple for someone with electronics knowledge but I doubt you have a soldering iron small enough to work with electronics. I think you need to look at using a 5V DC wall wart.

[62vetteefp]

Thanks for the education and input.

 

The in wall tstat wiring runs from the 2nd floor right to the furnace zone controller in the basement. I want to keep this a clean install and want the wire at the zone controller, not in the middle of the basement where someone would unplug it.

 

So I am going to go with one of those converters that will be screwed to the mount board.

[larryllix]

So I am going to go with one of those converters that will be screwed to the mount board.

I ran into this one that could do your job. Heat produced and size may be a consideration though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24vac-24vdc-to-5vdc-converter-power/251362283053?_trksid=p2046732.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20000%26meid%3D4487592531891961588%26pid%3D100040%26prg%3D8920%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D131102781584%26

[62vetteefp]

Thanks. That is one of the ones i listed above that I found.

[larryllix]

Thanks. That is one of the ones i listed above that I found.

ooops... Sorry. I guess I only looked at the other two and assumed two total.

[Xathros]

Larry-

 

I think he was planning on putting the converter at the basement end of the wire so heat wouldn't be an issue there.

 

-Xathros

[62vetteefp]

Yep, though I will probably go with the more expensive one because it screws to my board and has screwed wire connections.