Device for non heated garage?

[danbutter]

I have a light in my non heated detached garage that is controlled by a dragon tech pa100. Since the temp dropped below freezing a few days ago it won't work anymore. I can physically hit the button on it and it works fine, but it won't switch on remotely.

 

Anyone have any plugin on off or even outlets or switches that they have used successfully in non heated areas in below freezing temps?

 

Thanks

[stusviews]

An in-wall outlet with an insulation gasket will probably withstand cold better than the exposed outlet.

[larryllix]

I have a light in my non heated detached garage that is controlled by a dragon tech pa100. Since the temp dropped below freezing a few days ago it won't work anymore. I can physically hit the button on it and it works fine, but it won't switch on remotely.

Anyone have any plugin on off or even outlets or switches that they have used successfully in non heated areas in below freezing temps?

Thanks

I have the Insteon Outdoor On/Off module, another two On/Off Modules, and an X10 Appliance module outside on my deck, white taped around the modules to keep the snow out of the plug/receptacles and they all work fine.

 

They were covered in snow last winter for the Christmas lead-up season and using the same units again this year.

 

Keep the water out of them and don't get them sub-zero and bring them into warm humid air, they should be OK.

 

If you have frozen wiring that is wet, Ice is s hort circuit for RF. I am not sure if that would affect Insteon signals though, They are low frequency compared to business band stuff.

 

Bring them into the warm and try them. They can go back then or be replaced, either way they need to come in.

[Teken]

I've had many Insteon products located inside the none insulated garage and outside of my home for more than eight years now. Average mean temperatures in the winter for the GWN is -25'C / -13'F where I live. Will see 2-3 weeks of -32'C to -45'C / -25.6'F to -49'F during the peak winter times of January & February.

 

Current Insteon devices that have continued to operate are open-close sensor, motion sensor, 2 X appliance linc, on-off plugin relay, I/O linc, 2 X icon dimmers, Insteon LED, micro relay.

 

Several products were installed for long term testing as a simple proof of concept to see how they lasted and operated in the extreme cold.

 

I haven't seen any failures yet but also didn't expect them to operate 100% given they are well outside of the makers claimed operational working temperature(s).  

[KeviNH]

Most "indoor" Insteon devices are rated +32°F to +104°F, many garages exceed both ends of the range at some point each year.

 

While this is the official rating, I've had good luck running Insteon devices at much colder temperatures.   I suspect there is something about the Dragon Tech PA-100 which causes the fault you experience.   If you move it inside, does it work reliably at room temperature?

[danbutter]

Well I haven't moved it inside yet, but it worked fine until the temps here hit the 20's Fahrenheit.

I'll try to warm it up a bit and see what happens.

[Teken]

Was there a specific Insteon device you have on hand that you want me to try in my own environment for comparisons?

 

There are only a few devices I don't own which are DIN, Outdoor Outlet, Toggle Linc, 1-10 Ballast, Dimmer Outlet.

 

 

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[KeviNH]

Was there a specific Insteon device you have on hand that you want me to try in my own environment for comparisons?

There are only a few devices I don't own which are DIN, Outdoor Outlet, Toggle Linc, 1-10 Ballast, Dimmer Outlet.

The "2634-222 Plug-in On/Off Module, Outdoor" is the most likely to work reliably in this application, is officially rated for -4° F to 122° F (-20° C to 50° C).  

 

I use the outdoor outlet module in my unheated garage year round, never had any issues with it.

[danbutter]

Well I was trying to go zwave out there so I can put a zwave lock on the man door to the garage and I'll need a repeater for it.

For now I've put exactly what you suggested. An insteon outdoor plugin on off module. It works fine at 25F.

I'll have to check next week when the forcast temps are to be below zero.

 

Still would like to find a way to get the zwave lock working out there though.

 

I wonder if the GE outdoor mudule can do beaming? I'll have to look into that.