Smart Life app + Tuya temperature sensor + Arlec smart plug question

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  jiriteach on 05/09/2023 - 10:11

  +1

  Yes there are differences but its dependant on your scenario.
  = is sometimes too expliclit and you want something below or above.

  If you use = the temperature would have to = that exact value and with those sensors I would assume they send values with decimals so in your case you would want to use less than < or greater than >.

  You mentioned if the temp gets 17 to turn it on? So you want it on between 17 and 20? or < 17 on and > 20 off else it would be > 17 on and < 20.3 off.

  • 

    Wakrak on 05/09/2023 - 10:20

    So you want it on between 17 and 20?

    Thereabouts. If it gets to 17c = turn on, 20.3c = turn off. Not too worried if it's 16.9c or 17.1c. But around 17c feels like a good time to turn it on. Tends to get to that temperature around 2-4am in my sons room.

    would assume they send values with decimals

    Yes definitely. Right now, for example, the sensor shows 19.1c

    I've got the heater on a somewhat high setting, so it should get to 20.3c relatively quick from 17c.

    Also wondering if I should have it a bit tighter; say 18c-20c. But don't really want the heater turning on and off constantly. I was hesitant to get a smart plug for this heater in the first place, but a few conversations I read on Geekzone made me go for it. Plus, it's annoying waking up at 4am to make sure he's not freezing.

• 

  jiriteach on 05/09/2023 - 10:26

  +1

  I would then set it -

  If > 16.5 turn on
  If > 20.5 turn off

  or if it allows

  16.5 < 20.5

  Those heaters are designed to turn on/off all the time since it does that by default with the in-built themostat. You would have to set the theromostat on that heater to say 22 for example so it doesnt interfere since its being controllled elsewhere.

  • 

    Wakrak on 05/09/2023 - 10:28

    +1

    Thanks for the responses. I'll give that a go and then maybe do a dummy run this afternoon. I used the plug for the first-time last night, but this will be the first time combining it with the sensor.

• 

  ace310 on 05/09/2023 - 10:56

  +1

  Also, try not to switch heater On/OFF too much. Find the ideal temperature you like in the room and set probably 0.5/1c less and let the heater stay ON for longer. More you do on/off, it will consume more power/energy. Constant temps around 21c will get you better power efficiency.

  As mentioned above use > & < rather than = unless the values you get are like true/false or integers like 1,2,3…

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  ace310 on 05/09/2023 - 11:34

  Ohh another thing, temperature readings on both sensor & heater won't match and it will also depend on the location of both(how far from each other & it might be different around your son's bed).

  If temperature gets to 20.3°c, turn heater off

  You might have to get the exact reading in night when room has ideal temp and work out the settings.

• 

  Everettpsycho on 05/09/2023 - 17:07

  I'd run with < every time. The issue will most likely be if you also have timings on as a separate thing, so say it only runs the scene at 8pm for the night and it's already 16 in the room, it would fail to turn the heater on if you had = as it never hits 17 to initiate the scene.

  On theory you will always have to pass through 17 to 16 but using < will catch all scenarios just in case.