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How safe is it to use a SSR to control power to a spa? Or use a relay?

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DougSpindler:

--- Quote from: bob91343 on July 20, 2020, 01:27:32 am ---Don't overreact to my caution about insurance.  I have heard horror stories and think it's wise at least to add that concern to the equation.

These guys know how to play hard ball so make sure you know what you are doing.

--- End quote ---

I know exactly what I am doing.  I live in California where earthquake insurance is very expensive.  That's why I keep a gallon of gas on top of my natural gas hot water heater.  Should their ever be a large earthquake that would damage my house the fire insurance will cover it.



cdev:
Check with your local building and health deparments that your hot tub is code compliant. Better safe than sorry.

In my experience, spas always had to be connected to a reliable mechanical timer switch with a maximum on time per turn of an hour or less (check local laws)  All this means is that you have to give it a twist every hour. (you have to be present and conscious)
The reason is that people have lost consciousness in spas and literally have been cooked alive.

Also, you are not supposed to bring alcohol into a hot tub and may be required to post a sign to that effect..

The temperature should not be allowed to get too hot. The CDC recommends 104°F (40°C) as the maximum temperature.

The need for a mechanical timer prevents it from just being left on. My knowlege may be old but in my experience, a mechanical timer tends to be the most reliable kind.

 (They are also useful for soldering equipment. Its easy to reset a timer and worth it for the peace of mind knowing your soldering iron or preheater cant be left on all day by mistake).

james_s:
I would attack this from a different angle. The spa already has a system that controls power to the heater and pump(s). You can intercept the low voltage signals that control those, or you might look at upgrading the control, I'd expect there are models available that can be programmed to run during certain hours. Mine has an "eco mode" that only heats during the scheduled filter cycle and that can be programmed to run at a specific time and it's pushing up on 30 years old so nothing new there.

langwadt:

--- Quote from: DougSpindler on July 20, 2020, 04:21:32 pm ---
--- Quote from: bob91343 on July 20, 2020, 01:27:32 am ---Don't overreact to my caution about insurance.  I have heard horror stories and think it's wise at least to add that concern to the equation.

These guys know how to play hard ball so make sure you know what you are doing.

--- End quote ---

I know exactly what I am doing.  I live in California where earthquake insurance is very expensive.  That's why I keep a gallon of gas on top of my natural gas hot water heater.  Should their ever be a large earthquake that would damage my house the fire insurance will cover it.

--- End quote ---

maybe, or the isurance will say the fire was caused by the earthquake and not covered.

Louis Rossmann has told several times about his business insurance refusing to covers loss from not having electricity,
because they didn't cover flooding and the missing electricity was caused by a flood at the powerstation

DougSpindler:

--- Quote from: cdev on July 20, 2020, 04:40:33 pm ---Check with your local building and health deparments that your hot tub is code compliant. Better safe than sorry.

In my experience, spas always had to be connected to a reliable mechanical timer switch with a maximum on time per turn of an hour or less (check local laws)  All this means is that you have to give it a twist every hour. (you have to be present and conscious)
The reason is that people have lost consciousness in spas and literally have been cooked alive.

Also, you are not supposed to bring alcohol into a hot tub and may be required to post a sign to that effect..

The temperature should not be allowed to get too hot. The CDC recommends 104°F (40°C) as the maximum temperature.

The need for a mechanical timer prevents it from just being left on. My knowlege may be old but in my experience, a mechanical timer tends to be the most reliable kind.

 (They are also useful for soldering equipment. Its easy to reset a timer and worth it for the peace of mind knowing your soldering iron or preheater cant be left on all day by mistake).

--- End quote ---


Your information is old and out of date.  A mechanical timer will not work for this application.  The power companies in the US are changing how they charge for electricity.  The amount of money we pay for electricity changes 5 times today.  Prices will range from $0.12 kWhr to $0.54 depending on the time it is purchased.  Then on weekends the times change.

With a mechanical timer I would be really screwed when the power company shuts the power to the city during high winds.  I would have to reset the timer every time that happens.

While I appreciate your suggestion, it's not solving the problem. 





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