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Replace spa air switch? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago by Andonyx to c/diy

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I've spent a few days researching how to replace my air switch / timer box with something remote control. Water got in the air switch line and it hasn't worked right since. I've looked for replacement breakers, maybe some contactors with wifi etc. I don't need a timer function, just on and off for my spa pump and blower. I believe they each run on a 220v 20amp circuit. The pictures below are the old box with timer and air switch, and the breakers that precede that box, which I believe is a quad plex arrangement. I'm open to replacing the breakers or the box.

I'm a novice with this stuff so any guidance you have is appreciated in advance. I actually spoke with intermatic and their rep told me they don't have any single boxes that can control 2 220v circuits, which seems insane to me since the original is an intermatic product.

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[–] Tylerdurdon 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Control unit is probably pretty easy to replace (timer assembly) and you could most likely upgrade to something that has more functionality, it would just be a matter of careful research to ensure you buy something good quality that doesn't leave your PII all over the place. I would replace the housing at the same time with something that's a little more built-to-last

Overall I would be more concerned with the fuses. Electrical & rust is not a good combo. If that housing is leaking, definitely address that too. If you don't know electrical, hire out on that part.

I'm not a pro, just someone with a bunch of diy experience.

[–] Andonyx 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Thanks. I'm comfortable doing basic wiring. If I replace the breaker box, I'll have a pro do it. But for the controller, it may seem simple, but I have yet to find a specific product or mix of products that can simply turn off and on 2 220 circuits by wi-fi radio or BT. That's what I'm trying to find.

[–] Tylerdurdon 1 points 3 weeks ago

Perhaps you should have someone look at the wiring before purchasing the unit. It may be nonstandard wiring or maybe there's a relay somewhere. That controller you have looks fairly basic.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It couldn’t really be as simple as to have a smart plug running a schedule that provides or withdraws power from the device on a set schedule, right?

[–] Andonyx 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

No, in fact it's definitely not. Since these are two pole 3 phase circuits. And they are outdoor. And, as stated before scheduling is the part I don't need, I want manual on/off.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's not clear what you're looking for, since you said "remote control", then "I only want manual switching".

Remote (to me, today) implies something with timer capability (which is part of what drives the use of such things).

What are you trying to solve? What is your definition of "remote control"? Do you just want your switch farther away than it currently is? Because I wouldn't consider that remote control, just a relocation. Given that it's 220 (and 2 legs!), I'd hire an electrician to do it all at once - replace the box, move the switch, etc.

[–] Andonyx 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

To clarify: the pump and blower are controlled by an air switch. That is, the unit pictured has a 4 position switch and 15 meters away, at the actual spa, is a bulb that when pressed activates the air switch on the control unit. The bulb is connected to the switch by a plastic tube that goes underground between the two.

The tube is shot. Replacing it can be a pain. I'm trying to replace the control unit with something that uses wi-fi or other signal to turn on spa and blower from the spa. Right now, because the current air switch is bad, if I want to turn it on, I have to go outside the fence, around the corner to turn on the breakers, and then do it again to turn it off. The timer doesn't matter because we never use a timer to turn it on or off.

Hopefully that makes it clearer?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Esp32 and some relays?