Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Thermostat Selection questions freemanb.us.ibm.com Fri, 16 Apr 1999 08:59:31 -0500

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I'm running two HAI RC-100's (heat pump model) since last July using ECS
serial byte support (thanks again Peter) on V3 ECS.  Last summer they were
$ 125 (or so) ea. from Worthington.   They communicate via RS-232 and can
be connected via (if I recall correctly) 4-conductor telephone wire.   The
'stats support multidrop ("daisy-chain") interconnection, although I don't
think ECS V4 supports this yet.

When I was evaluating my options, I ultimately decided that a hard-wired
(vs. X-10) interconnection was important to me.   These are essentially
fairly capable programmable thermostats that can be interrogated and
(re)programmed via their RS-232 serial interfaces.    I am quite pleased
with the functionality and performance of these units.

Regards,

Bill Freeman



Bill Walters <wtwalters@home.com> on 04/16/99 01:03:38 AM

Please respond to ecs-list@netbloc.com

To:   ECS List <ecs-list@netbloc.com>
cc:    (bcc: Bill Freeman/Austin/IBM)
Subject:  [ECS] Thermostat Selection questions





I'm -considering- bypassing my desire to have ECS directly control my 3
HVAC units and use instead, a communicating thermostat.

Since I will be using 3 of these, price is a factor.

Looking online and in the catalogs I have, prices "generally" are around
$250 for the Statnet, plus I'll need a RS323-485 converter box.  Total
tab for 3 comes in at about $825 or so which is pretty steep!

The HAI RC-80 "lists" for $179 but available online for less.  It too,
is directly supported by ECS, and due to its price, is much more
attractive to me.

Anyone on the list have experience using ECS with either of these two
units?

Bill Walters

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