Universal Air-Source Heat Pump Controller

[AC_Hacker]

I came across a remarkable, inexpensive device that can make building a Homemade Heat Pump much easier. In the "Manifesto" thread, we hit a bump because in our attempt to design a simple cheap controller, we found that it was was not so easy.

Recently, I discovered a well made controller that had all the functions needed to make a full function Air Source to Water heat pump. The hot water from this unit can be for typical domestic purposes, and of great interest to me, the hot water can be used for home heating. Of course, many other uses for water, cheaply heated can be found.

The complete controller with all parts and LCD readout is: ZL-R200A

The controller can be bought at many outlets:

• AMAZON for $80
• eBay: for $50 to $60
• And various Chinese outlets for about $38

I think that this device is going to be a game changer.

Best,

-AC_Hacker

[jeff5may]

Yep, I started working with acuario to try and do up something universal, but his rig was very setup specific. A whole lot of parameters to enter, plus the web server, iot side of setting up the interface. I was looking for something more standalone and simple to get going.

I ended up using much the same boards as you . I think Gary (xringer) posted up a product that led me to discover a whole bunch of boards, many different badges but the same OEM. The OEM was qunda. QD line, I used one on my 2 ton window shaker build. And on later ones, too. The one I documented from the getgo was this one:
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4640

And here's the control unit I used:
https://www.smartclima.com/universal...em-qd-u12a.htm

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, the seller lists a whole bunch of similar control boards. Main differences are:

-Heating only, cooling only, or both w/reversing valve control (the control units have the reversing valve active in heating mode; most split units are plumbed cooling active)

-LCD panel display, numerical display, or just a few LED lights

-Number of temperature sensors (more is smarter)

The other resource I found was this one:
https://www.instructables.com/Valden...mp-Controller/

But it was for ground loop systems. Not readily adaptable to air source based setups without adding software and hardware. I believe it only did heating also.