Well, I finally got the fireplace automated. Here’s how I did it and what I learned.
Initial setup:
Low voltage switch on the wall turns the gas fireplace on and off. This switch has solid core 18 gauge wire running to it from the control module beneath the fireplace. Fan blower turns on/off via thermostat inside of fireplace. Fan blower has a reastat that controls the speed of the fan.
Automation hardware:
Aeon labs G2 smart switch
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008VWBNAUpsc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
110 vac Dpdt dry contact relay from Amazon.
An 8 foot long extension cord
A single gang switch box
How I did it:
- Cut the male plug end off of the ext cord about 12 inches from the end. Connect this to the L & N lines of the aeon switch.
- cut off about 8 inches of the cord. Use this as a jumper between the connections of the switch and the input to the relay.
NOTE #1 — run the cords into the switch box before connecting to the switch. Once connected put smart switch inside of box.
NOTE #2 - the external switch input on the smart switch has to be at least a 14 gauge wire. The switch runs 120 vac through the external switch. It is NOT a low voltage external switch like what was used to turn on the fireplace.
NOTE #3 - run an acceptable gauge wire to the fireplace low voltage switch box. I just used the rest of the extension cord. I taped the end together and pulled it in as I pulled out the smaller wire.
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at this point plug in the switch, add it to ST, and make sure everything is working fine. Ensure your relay turns on and off. Use a multimeter and make sure the dry side of the relay is closing and not applying a voltage.
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connect the fireplace control module to the dry side of the relay.
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store everything beneath the fireplace, clean up your mess, and enjoy.
NOTE #4 - the wall switch now acts as a toggle switch for the fire place. It’s no longer up for on and down for off. Consider what you just installed was a three way switch configuration. If the fire is on via ST or Alexa, then a single flip of the switch will turn it off. And vice versa.
NOTE #5 - a flip of the wall switch does not register a Zwave response from the smart switch to the hub. At least, I didn’t wait long enough for that to occur. I set up a rule in rule machine using a custom command for the relay, “refresh()”. I use all off the motion sensors in my house as the trigger and the action is to run the custom command. I plan to add more triggers to that just because of the fact it is a fireplace.
Summary:
Overall it was an easy project that cost me less than $50.00. I have manual control, voice control, and app control of my fireplace. If something goes wrong I can kill the entire thing at the breaker box or at the power strip installed beneath the fire place. It took me about 3 hours from start to finish, but I did double check every connection and test with power at every step. Then I rechecked the connections. I also used 3m foam tape to stick the smart switch inside of the box and the relay to the outside. This helped to immobiliz the wiring.
I’m very satisfied and the wife likes it.
