I have started batting around the idea of a temp/humidity controller. I have a few questions.
1. I will not be running an AC. Is it a waste to run a controller just with fans and dehumidifier?
2. Do you have to run "smart" devices for the controllers to work?
3. My dehumidifier does not have an analog switch, but digital buttons. Is there a way that a controller could turn that on and off?
4. I currently run a vivosun 6" fan and filter. It runs on low 24/7 because I need to maintain negative pressure for smell purposes. Do the controllers work in a manner that I turn it oh high and then the controller controls the voltage to the fan to change the speed?
5. When I say that I have started looking at controllers, I am talking about the budget controllers. Ac infinity 67 and 69 etc...
I realize I may be pipe dreaming that there us an inexpensive way to help control this stuff, but figured I would ask so I can plan for the future.
Thanks in advance.
1 you can look at your exhaust as Min and max . Min could be x amount of fresh air for plants and also to ensure the space is maintaining a negative pressure. if its a non passive system and you are introducing air into the space via another fan. Then again you would want the incoming cfm to be less then out going fan, wich gives you a negative pressure for smell reasons primarily. If we wanted the cleanest enviroment we would create a slight postive pressure like clean rooms Operating rooms and such.
Max is typically meant to handle your cooling loads . So if can handle the cooling loads via free cooling its definitely cheaper. If you are pulling the air from a conditioned space you have already paid to condition it.
If Commercial and legal, i would assume a slight positive is hands down the way to go.
But for most the simplicity of passive is solid way to go.
2 Do you have to run "smart" devices for the controllers to work? If you are talking full blown tridium, JCI , Honeywell or other system they are very expensive with licensing fees but.... all the trick stuff you can do . remote monitoring with graphics email / phone notifications for alarming trending and sooo much more.
if you are referring to the smart Ac infinity controller I think its very hard to beat for the money. Setpoints RH and Temp with proportionate speed control
Now where i think they should go with this is separate temperature inputs and link it to the different control loops. So i wouldn't be surprised if we see some changes from them or competition in the future. But for the cost this would be my choice. Also if you decide to go that route with your fan make sure it is compatible.
3 Yes a programmable controller with digital and analog inputs and outputs, again for residential starts getting pricey . Commercially programmable controllers would be the good way to go.
If you conditioned the makeup air (or zone it is pulling from then all your controller will need to do is increase the amount of CFM it exhausts pulling in conditioned drier air in the process. The AC infinity controller will do this for you. Very simple as the Dehumidifier has its own setpoint setting.
You want more DH in space increase exhaust.
4 If you are getting a proportional controller for the fan , that it can either work as a reostat= (adjust voltage least turn down ratio) or VFD that reduces voltage and hz. More expensive, better turn down ratio. Not sure what the AC infinity but has respectable turn down .
5. I was in same boat for a small setup residential if you can find a dual channel controller that does RH and temp with a variable output for close to that cost i will be interested as well .
6. Check out all the controllers for sure
Sorry for typos and errors my little pea is starting to shut down , needs some coffee.
