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Old 11-14-12, 09:53 AM   #1
chrisgerman1983
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Default Can you reverse a thermostat

Is it possible to reverse the way a typical thermostat works? I would like to have a fan against my window so that when the heat builds up enough a fan turns on and blows the heat into the room. When the sun was shining the other day I turned on a fan and you could feel the heat coming off the window

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Old 11-14-12, 11:17 AM   #2
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It depends on the thermostat. Many are just ON/OFF, but some switch between two outputs (one output is ON only when the other is OFF). Ask around at small appliance repair shops, that's where I got one to control my heating system's circulation pump. Just tell them what the t-stat should do and hopefully they'll find something.

A slightly more expensive option would be to use a temperature controller, like a room thermostat. Those are usually of the switching type (one output for heating, one for air conditioning), though more complicated and expensive than you need, unless you can get a used one cheap.
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Old 11-14-12, 03:00 PM   #3
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Thank you! Good suggestion I will ask around. Finding a used one that somebody saved would be perfect.
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Old 11-14-12, 05:42 PM   #4
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any thermostat that is designed to run A/C will turn the A/C on when it gets to the set temp, of course that switch is a low current switch that is designed for 24v, perfect for a relay or solid state relay.
Other option is a farm supply store, there are plenty of thermostats for barn fans that come on once the barn gets warm to the dialed in point.
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Old 11-14-12, 11:18 PM   #5
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Thanks, I will look into the barn fan option as well.
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Old 11-15-12, 08:30 AM   #6
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I was thinking this morning that a simpler way of achieving what I would like to do is with a small solar panel? When the sun is out enough to heat up the window then it would create enough power to turn on the fan. The fan that I remembered I have is this one Cooler Master Any thoughts? Is it beneficial? I know that if the sun is coming in the window then it is already heating the room, but my thought is that you can capture the heat off the window before it dissipates through the window and back outside.
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Old 11-15-12, 08:33 AM   #7
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BTW I removed the lame LED's off the fan. Don't know who decided computer fans need to be light shows

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