Hi everyone,

I've been looking for a geyser controller where one can program a on/off schedule but also be able to remotely switch the geyser on and off over mobile.

I'm changing the geyser element to a 1,5kw element and will have it connected to the essential loads. I just don't want the geyser to be running off battery during load shedding and power outages.

I don't have any home automation. What I'm looking for should be easy to use and have a manual override to switch on and off as well. 

I've seen some no-name WiFi breakers, but concerned about reliability and lifespan. Also to note that my DB board is a Samite mounting and not Din rail. 

What options are available?

Thanks in advance

Good day. I have used the Sonoff TH Elite on an 1.5kw ptc element on a 150L geyser for over a year now.

Have not had any issues, except when I tried to extend the probe cable. The max length is 2meters, otherwise the temperature reading is way off. Better to keep the probe length unmodified.

 

Have a look at the CBI Astute Smart Controller .

56 minutes ago, Warlok said:

Good day. I have used the Sonoff TH Elite on an 1.5kw ptc element on a 150L geyser for over a year now.

Have not had any issues, except when I tried to extend the probe cable. The max length is 2meters, otherwise the temperature reading is way off. Better to keep the probe length unmodified.

 

How exactly do you measure the water temperature inside the geyser with the Sonoff TH probe?

Just put it in the sleeve where the manual thermostat came out and then seal witn non drip tape. 

GeyserWise Tuya can do timers and remote access via Tuya

49 minutes ago, system32 said:

GeyserWise Tuya can do timers and remote access via Tuya

That is quite cool, how does the Tuya smart switch fit in? Does it link to the geyser wise or not?

Otherwise I am thinking one could just buy this: https://www.livestainable.co.za/product/geyserwise-tse-geyser-timer-and-controller/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0Agkt9j0kVHYs1d2eg24s5o9yckzB-SaYCEy8fLKySvrhlKlhwinFVVUaAv4HEALw_wcB 

Then add one of those Sonoff switches and get the same thing?

 

 

@Warlok Do these newer Sonoff switches come with samite connector out the box and then you need to purchase an adapter separately for din rail and then it fits into a DB board without issues?

3 minutes ago, PsyCLown said:

That is quite cool, how does the Tuya smart switch fit in? Does it link to the geyser wise or not?

Otherwise I am thinking one could just buy this: https://www.livestainable.co.za/product/geyserwise-tse-geyser-timer-and-controller/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0Agkt9j0kVHYs1d2eg24s5o9yckzB-SaYCEy8fLKySvrhlKlhwinFVVUaAv4HEALw_wcB 

Then add one of those Sonoff switches and get the same thing?

@Warlok Do these newer Sonoff switches come with samite connector out the box and then you need to purchase an adapter separately for din rail and then it fits into a DB board without issues?

If you have a GeyserWise TSE1 (check that you have the correct module) you can upgrade to Tuya - you buy & replace the circuit board in the keypad.
You don't need both the Sonoff (Astute) and GeyserWise Tuya.

From what I can see on my device:

Features:

• Remote access via Tuya/SmartLife App
• Temperature view
• Temperature set set for 4 time zones
• Remote power control (turn on/off element)
• View Element Run Time - I guess you can calculate kWh from hours * element rating
• Remote set of Normal/Holiday mode.
• The TSE1 has 4 timer + temperature zones, the time cannot be configured via the app - set on keypad only. The temperature for the zone can be set via app.

Missing:

• Set & view timers/time zones via App - this can only be done on the keypad.
• No Volts, No Amps, No kW, No kWh.
• Home Assistant integration is via Tuya cloud (not the easiest)

For the Sonoff, what I've done with my Kwikot is to poke a hole into the foam insulation around the geyser, and snuggy the probe in there, right against the outside of the inner drum.  Seems to work very well.  (You can get into the foam insulation behind the Anode plug usually - at least on the Kwikot.)

I kept the original thermostat (maxed out) as a backup failsafe in-case the Sonoff doesn't switch off.

The Sonoff has a profile where you can set it to maintain a specific temperature between certain times, which is quite useful.

 

1 hour ago, PsyCLown said:

That is quite cool, how does the Tuya smart switch fit in? Does it link to the geyser wise or not?

Otherwise I am thinking one could just buy this: https://www.livestainable.co.za/product/geyserwise-tse-geyser-timer-and-controller/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0Agkt9j0kVHYs1d2eg24s5o9yckzB-SaYCEy8fLKySvrhlKlhwinFVVUaAv4HEALw_wcB 

Then add one of those Sonoff switches and get the same thing?

 

 

@Warlok Do these newer Sonoff switches come with samite connector out the box and then you need to purchase an adapter separately for din rail and then it fits into a DB board without issues?

No, you have to get the adaptor as mentioned a few posts up. R15 (give or take)

 

@Warlok Do these newer Sonoff switches come with samite connector out the box and then you need to purchase an adapter separately for din rail and then it fits into a DB board without issues?

Expand  

No, you have to get the adaptor as mentioned a few posts up. R15 (give or take)

Thanks guys, I never know these items existed before. It's quite nifty to get an adaptor between Din and Samite mountings. 

I've been googling the above switches. Seems like the CBI astute is Din rail mounted. Basically has the features I'm looking for - power meter and scheduling with manual button.

Sonoff seem to make quite a variety, there is the TH elite which works on sensing temperature I gather. Then they make POWR3 which is a smart relay and POWR320 which is similar to the POWR3 but has a display. The latter two I don't think are made for the DB board.

@Warlok where do you have yours mounted? And can you program a on/ off schedule not related to temperature? 

It would be nice if it could sense automatically when the inverter is running from battery power and then automatically switch the geyser off. Wondering if anyone tried programming the like? This is probably out of my scope. 

I've come across the Sonoff load shedding detector.

I'm wondering is this is better for me if it is more of a plug and play solution without requiring a lot of programming. 

I may only need one of these detectors and one smart switch or relay to control the geyser. 

 Is anyone using this, or can advise?

 

22 hours ago, Munzee said:

And can you program a on/ off schedule not related to temperature? 

It would be nice if it could sense automatically when the inverter is running from battery power and then automatically switch the geyser off. Wondering if anyone tried programming the like? This is probably out of my scope. 

If your smart meter + inverter/battery/both + geyser can do mqtt or similar control communication then you can make them do just about anything you like.

Mine is a tasmotised-POWR3 which checks for loadshedding, battery SOC, available solar etc and then  "decides" if it should be on or not. Most sunny days it runs midday, but on the odd winter days it comes on automatically if/when needed and draws from the most efficient power source available.

28 minutes ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

Mine is a tasmotised-POWR3 which checks for loadshedding, battery SOC, available solar etc and then  "decides" if it should be on or not. Most sunny days it runs midday, but on the odd winter days it comes on automatically if/when needed and draws from the most efficient power source available.

 

That's a nice setup. What hardware do you use to achieve this? 

I'm a real novice when it comes to automation 

50 minutes ago, Munzee said:

 

That's a nice setup. What hardware do you use to achieve this? 

I'm a real novice when it comes to automation 

Control side
RPi4 with nodered+mosquitto mqtt broker

Automation side
Whole bunch of tasmotised smart switches and monitoring devices
Mostly Sonoff and visia power monitoring switches and plugs.

https://github.com/arendst/Tasmota

I personally do not use home-assistant but many here on the forum do:
https://www.home-assistant.io/

https://nodered.org/

Here is a nice simple to follow guide:

https://ezcontents.org/mqtt-home-automation-rapsberry-pi

Nice easy to follow guide on using powr3 ( perfect for geyser control ) and tasmotise it

 

Edited July 8, 20232 yr by WannabeSolarSparky

nodered Looks complicated but actually quite simple if you can follow steps, this is my one that controls everything.

Home-assistant is maybe a bit more end-user friendly once you figure out how to get it up and running.

 

18 hours ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

 

I'll just look on with stars in my eyes.. it's pretty cool.

I don't have RPi device and not willing to take that plunge. 

Sonoff can check if the power is out and then switch on and off devices. And possibly CBi astute with Tuya switch can do the same.

The only issue with CBi and sonoff is that when the sun is shining and there is load shedding, my geyser will still switch off. And I will have to remember to turn it on to use the PV. But still much better then having it completely manual. 

I'm leaning towards the CBi, just scared of Sonoffs melting. I see some users advise using a contactor but that won't add any value for power monitoring

Hi @Munzee

I recently did a video on how link a CBI Astute to Home Assistant and do a basic automation to disconnect it when there is load shedding. I am planning a follow up to this to include a whole bunch of other stuff but you may find it useful. There are also video's on linking your inverter to Home Assistant which you would  need to do first. What inverter do you have? 

 

 

Edited July 9, 20232 yr by Sc00bs