Insteon Thermostat 2441TH wiring help

[TrojanHorse]

Hi all,

 

Hopefully the helpful people here can set me straight since I maybe got overextended here.

 

I have a simple natural gas fireplace that I would like to control with the 2441TH thermostat. Previously it used a battery powered thermostat that connected two wires to control the fireplace. My goal is to incorporate an Insteon thermostat.

 

So, I ran a new 5 conductor wire (overkill for heat only) and bought a 24V Elk power supply. My hope was to simply power the thermostat using the Elk power supply and mimic how the previous thermostat worked. However, as the experts here know, the 2441TH only allows connection for a single wire to W1 terminal (in addition to 2 stage heat, AC, fan, etc.).

 

I should have looked at this more closely before digging in.

 

I see that in a previous thread that I could maybe connect the other switch wire to the 24COM terminal, but I also believe this fireplace is a millivolt system and could get damaged by this setup? Stu and Techman, would love your insight here. http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14100-2441th-two-wire-wo-power/

 

I know enough to be dangerous, so trying to not blow anything up. I may have an unused IOLinc laying around that I could use with some programming, but I was hoping to keep this simpler.

 

Thanks in advance guys!

 

Edit: of course I would appreciate comments from anyone here. I only mentioned Stu and Tech since I saw their previous posts.

[G W]

Does 2441TH have a dry contact relay that you can use? If not you may need to add a 24vac relay.

 

I used an I/O Linc to control mine.

 

Gary Funk (Joke removed at the request of one user)

[stusviews]

The 2441TH is not compatible with a millivot heat system. Only a millivolt thermostat will work.

[TrojanHorse]

Thanks for the prompt replies guys.

Mr. Funk - it does not have a dry contact relay, which is essentially my problem / misunderstanding.

Mr. Stusviews - thanks for the clarification.

 

I see 3 options now for myself:

1. Find a 24vac relay (suggestions?)

2. Use an iolinc to connect the original 2 wires with programs triggered by the 2441th

3. Buy the wireless battery powered insteon thermostat that I should have probably done originally.

 

Any comments are appreciated, otherwise I just wanted to close the loop if others look at this post.

 

 

 

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[mwester]

If you like easy wiring and pre-packaged (rather than a loose relay and possibly having to solder wires), you might check eBay for one of these -- I use these (and other members of this product family) all over; very useful.

 

http://www.functionaldevices.com/building-automation/display.php?model=RIBU1C

 

(I particularly like that one, because of the multi-volt coil - it means that when I grow tired of my current project, I can take it apart and it's more likely that I can find a use for the relay elsewhere...)

[larryllix]

Thanks for the prompt replies guys.

Mr. Funk - it does not have a dry contact relay, which is essentially my problem / misunderstanding.

Mr. Stusviews - thanks for the clarification.

I see 3 options now for myself:

1. Find a 24vac relay (suggestions?)

2. Use an iolinc to connect the original 2 wires with programs triggered by the 2441th

3. Buy the wireless battery powered insteon thermostat that I should have probably done originally.

Any comments are appreciated, otherwise I just wanted to close the loop if others look at this post.

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The 2441ZTH can run on batteries but it doesn't have any hardware output contacts. You will end up putting an ac adapter on it anyway and still need an IOLinc.

 

That 3rd termminal space on the 2441TH looks like it had plans for an isolated contact option. Maybe a jumper that could be cut and there is another option with a shared contact between isolated 24 vac and isolated millivolt, but I wouldn't even suggest it to somebody else for a heating system in a house that could be a danger or a non-electrical-technical person.

 

I would probably go to a heating contractor supply place and ask them for an isolation relay for a furnace. They take 24vac input to a small heater element, and bimetal dry contact output, to make them totally quiet. Last I heard, about $15-$40 depending on brand, mounting and terminals or wires, etc.

[TrojanHorse]

Thanks Mwester - I think that relay sounds pretty foolproof (even for this exceptional idiot) so I will buy that. Seeing it on amazon for $17 and I'm assuming this is an acceptable / conforming use of that relay.

 

Larryllix - thanks for your suggestion but for that price I'm gonna play it safe

 

Edit: mwester: is the relay loud when it clicks on? It's in a bedroom. Thanks

 

You guys are all great!

 

 

 

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[larryllix]

Thanks Mwester - I think that relay sounds pretty foolproof (even for this exceptional idiot) so I will buy that. Seeing it on amazon for $17 and I'm assuming this is an acceptable / conforming use of that relay.

Larryllix - thanks for your suggestion but for that price I'm gonna play it safe

Edit: mwester: is the relay loud when it clicks on? It's in a bedroom. Thanks

You guys are all great!

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\Same thing and purpose except that one will be slightly louder. Your local heating supply will usually have them over the counter.

 

The nipple mount should work well right into a connection box in the fireplace, probably with a knockout just for that type of thing.

[TrojanHorse]

\Same thing and purpose except that one will be slightly louder. Your local heating supply will usually have them over the counter.

 

The nipple mount should work well right into a connection box in the fireplace, probably with a knockout just for that type of thing.

Thanks. By playing safe, I was referring to your comment about a 3rd terminal

 

 

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[TrojanHorse]

Mwester's relay arrived via UPS today.

So far so good double checked wth a multimeter.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

 

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