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Where could I buy a timer like this?

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Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
I am planning out a potential project, not yet sure if I'll do it or not. I will need multi on/off programmable timer capable of switching at least 4000w worth of equipment at various set times. It needs to be double pole. I would feed it with 8/3 wire which would then feed a small sub panel (easier to organize everything that way). So 2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground. 240volts across both hots 120 from hot to neutral. Would probably use a 30 amp circuit.

Anyone know where I could buy something like this in Canada?
 
What you need is a contactor. It's basically a heavy duty relay. Just buy one with a coil voltage that matches your line voltage. When the timer turns ON it pulls in the coil which will close the contacts.

Double pole contactors are commonly found at HVAC supply houses and some pool and spa places may carry them as well - for controlling large pumps/heaters with a timer.
 
I was thinking that too, though something with built in timer would be simpler. My 2nd option I was thinking a 24 volt relay and just use a programmable thermostat as the timer.
 
RedSquirrel said:
I was thinking that too, though something with built in timer would be simpler. My 2nd option I was thinking a 24 volt relay and just use a programmable thermostat as the timer.
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Yes however you still will need a 24V transformer adding another part where you plug in the timer, wire a cord up to the contactor's coil and you're done.

What kind of contactor you need depends on the load. Tungsten (lamp) loads are different than motor loads, etc. Matching up is critical to reliability! The wrong contactor type may result in premature failure - namely sticking of contacts in the ON position. If the load is a heating element a dangerous condition can develop as most fail safes will cut contactor coil power! Always make sure the circuit is correctly fused as well. 4kW sounds like 240VAC since you're asking about a double pole relay. 😉
 
Yeah would be a 3000w element and motor, not sure yet how big the motor will be, I'm thinking less then an amp. And yes 240v, regular household power. The pump would be 120, which is why I went with the sub so I can safely separate the two items.

It's for a potential underfloor heating system, basically.
 
Are you building this from scratch or is this a packaged unit?

Even low watt density inline heaters need all sorts of fail safes in case your circulator goes out or just to prevent ANY kind of run dry scenario!
 
Pretty much from scratch but I'm still researching it. The source of heat is a small hot water heater, that way if the pump fails it's still a safe situation. The valves will mostly be manual. Still a lot to consider.

This is my plan so far:

water_heating.png


The pump needs to be a circulator and not a pump though, and should be on supply side, so that's one thing I did wrong on that diagram. Also might put valves on the other end of each zone just so when I fill I do one zone at a time, the current setup might cause lot of air to get trapped.

Learning a lot as I research this. Still not sure if I will in fact do it or not. The cost is quite high even the DIY route. (to do it properly!)
 
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Sea Moose said:
Its never going to work!

You forgot to include the flux capacitor.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of adding one for the pump and HW heater. That way when I turn it on, it actually turned on 2 hours ago so it would be instant heat! Flux capacitors have a good place in modern HVAC systems. :awe: Why wait till the system warms up when you can modify time?
 
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