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#1
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires.
Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian |
#2
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 12/14/2013 10:52 AM, Ian wrote:
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian http://www.behvac.com/troubleshooter41.htm You'll probably need to repull the thermostat wire with at least three wires so you have a common available to power the thermostat; I would repull with 5 conductor in case you think you may want to add central air in the future. In short, one of the existing wires connects to "R" (if you have "RH" and "RC" then connect to "RH") use "RED" wire for this connection. This one will be the one coming directly from the transformer. The other existing connection connects to "W" - use the "WHITE" wire for this one. Finally you will need another conductor from the 24VAC side of the transformer to the new thermostat, that will connect to "C" for Common and if there is a black wire in your cable use that one. It says here that you "may" not need to repull if you don't have a "C" wire https://nest.com/thermostat/installation/ Looking at the picture there, it appears the terminals you would use are RH, W1, and C. here's more info on why you may want to repull http://support.nest.com/certified/ar...-set-up#common Hope this helps nate -- replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply. http://members.cox.net/njnagel |
#3
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 12/14/2013 11:21 AM, Nate Nagel wrote:
On 12/14/2013 10:52 AM, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian http://www.behvac.com/troubleshooter41.htm You'll probably need to repull the thermostat wire with at least three wires so you have a common available to power the thermostat; I would repull with 5 conductor in case you think you may want to add central air in the future. In short, one of the existing wires connects to "R" (if you have "RH" and "RC" then connect to "RH") use "RED" wire for this connection. This one will be the one coming directly from the transformer. The other existing connection connects to "W" - use the "WHITE" wire for this one. Finally you will need another conductor from the 24VAC side of the transformer to the new thermostat, that will connect to "C" for Common and if there is a black wire in your cable use that one. It says here that you "may" not need to repull if you don't have a "C" wire https://nest.com/thermostat/installation/ Looking at the picture there, it appears the terminals you would use are RH, W1, and C. here's more info on why you may want to repull http://support.nest.com/certified/ar...-set-up#common Hope this helps nate Forgot to add; if you repull then you can also use the fan-only mode. Use the green wire for that function. nate -- replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply. http://members.cox.net/njnagel |
#4
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Ian wrote:
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian Hmm, Why are you asking? Read the manual? No? You can download it. Still have questions? Then ask. 2 wires? Where is another one for fan control? Maybe you are future proofing but in this case NEST is way more than what you need. |
#5
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Nate Nagel wrote:
On 12/14/2013 11:21 AM, Nate Nagel wrote: On 12/14/2013 10:52 AM, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian http://www.behvac.com/troubleshooter41.htm You'll probably need to repull the thermostat wire with at least three wires so you have a common available to power the thermostat; I would repull with 5 conductor in case you think you may want to add central air in the future. In short, one of the existing wires connects to "R" (if you have "RH" and "RC" then connect to "RH") use "RED" wire for this connection. This one will be the one coming directly from the transformer. The other existing connection connects to "W" - use the "WHITE" wire for this one. Finally you will need another conductor from the 24VAC side of the transformer to the new thermostat, that will connect to "C" for Common and if there is a black wire in your cable use that one. It says here that you "may" not need to repull if you don't have a "C" wire https://nest.com/thermostat/installation/ Looking at the picture there, it appears the terminals you would use are RH, W1, and C. here's more info on why you may want to repull http://support.nest.com/certified/ar...-set-up#common Hope this helps nate Forgot to add; if you repull then you can also use the fan-only mode. Use the green wire for that function. nate Hi, Why the trouble repulling wires? Some times it is almost impossible pulling extra wires. In that case go wireless. |
#6
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On Sat, 14 Dec 2013 07:52:40 -0800 (PST), Ian
wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. I don't believe a Nest will work on your system. Did you do fill out their compatibility form? |
#7
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 12/14/2013 12:46 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:
Nate Nagel wrote: On 12/14/2013 11:21 AM, Nate Nagel wrote: On 12/14/2013 10:52 AM, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian http://www.behvac.com/troubleshooter41.htm You'll probably need to repull the thermostat wire with at least three wires so you have a common available to power the thermostat; I would repull with 5 conductor in case you think you may want to add central air in the future. In short, one of the existing wires connects to "R" (if you have "RH" and "RC" then connect to "RH") use "RED" wire for this connection. This one will be the one coming directly from the transformer. The other existing connection connects to "W" - use the "WHITE" wire for this one. Finally you will need another conductor from the 24VAC side of the transformer to the new thermostat, that will connect to "C" for Common and if there is a black wire in your cable use that one. It says here that you "may" not need to repull if you don't have a "C" wire https://nest.com/thermostat/installation/ Looking at the picture there, it appears the terminals you would use are RH, W1, and C. here's more info on why you may want to repull http://support.nest.com/certified/ar...-set-up#common Hope this helps nate Forgot to add; if you repull then you can also use the fan-only mode. Use the green wire for that function. nate Hi, Why the trouble repulling wires? Some times it is almost impossible pulling extra wires. In that case go wireless. In my last house it took longer to puzzle out the proper connections within the furnace than it did to pull the thermostat wire. Open ceiling in basement, and thermostat wire was clearly visible going through floor, only had to do about 4 feet "blind." If that's the OP's situation there's really no reason not to do it. Obviously if it's a complete PITA to do so another solution might be preferable. nate -- replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply. http://members.cox.net/njnagel |
#8
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 10:52:40 AM UTC-5, Ian wrote:
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian What does the Nest install instructions say? Don't they tell you how to hook it up to the most basic two wire install? Normally, comming from furnace, connecting red to white would control it. Does the Next have batteries and need no additional power or does it need an additional common line back to the furnace? |
#9
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
"Ian" wrote in message ... I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian I've been fighting that battle for months. Thankfully I took still photo before starting and set up a video camera to record the actual steps in the process. Nest is still not working but at least I could go back to where I started so we have heat. |
#10
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
NotMe wrote:
"Ian" wrote in message ... I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian I've been fighting that battle for months. Thankfully I took still photo before starting and set up a video camera to record the actual steps in the process. Nest is still not working but at least I could go back to where I started so we have heat. Hi, Oh, my, if you read installation instructions and have difficulty understanding what it says, wouldn't it be time for help from pro? While it is being installed, you watch him and learn for next time. Or Nest customer support no good? Or may I ask what seems to be issue to complete installation? |
#11
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 12/14/2013 10:52 AM, Ian wrote:
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian You'll have to read the furnished manual (RTFM). We can tell you the traditional color code, but yours might be different. -- .. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus www.lds.org .. |
#12
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message ... NotMe wrote: "Ian" wrote in message ... I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian I've been fighting that battle for months. Thankfully I took still photo before starting and set up a video camera to record the actual steps in the process. Nest is still not working but at least I could go back to where I started so we have heat. Hi, Oh, my, if you read installation instructions and have difficulty understanding what it says, wouldn't it be time for help from pro? While it is being installed, you watch him and learn for next time. Or Nest customer support no good? Or may I ask what seems to be issue to complete installation? I had a simple question, emailed customer service and got an answer back right away. Nest may be over kill for your needs, it can handle 2 stage heating, 2 stage cooling, fan control, and via wifi it can be controlled by your computer, smart phone or tablet, and firmware be automatically updated. If you cannot use these features, it seems to be a waste to use on a 2 wire simple heater. |
#13
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message ... On 12/14/2013 10:52 AM, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian You'll have to read the furnished manual (RTFM). We can tell you the traditional color code, but yours might be different. -- . Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus www.lds.org . OMG! Verify that you have the battery powered Nest. If not, exchange the one you have for a battery powered unit. Turn off power. Make note of current terminations to old thermostat and use provided wire markers to make the proper designations. The old terminals will have markings that should at least have an R and W on them. If not, no big deal. Remove old thermostat base and install Nest base, make sure that it is level. Connect to terminals W1 and RH of the Nest. It is preferable that you match the R and W, but in a two wire system this really does not matter. Put Nest thermostat on Nest base. Program the Nest. Turn power back on and operate the Nest. Everything should work. If not, turn power off, reverse wiring and turn power back on. I seriously doubt the Nest gives a rip about polarity. This should not be necessary. To test the wiring (function of furnace), disconnect power. spin wires together. Turn power back on. The furnace should fire up. If it does the Nest is bad, if not, then you have a different issue. |
#14
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
It doesn't come with directions?
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#15
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 10:52:40 AM UTC-5, Ian wrote:
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian Yes, it comes with installation instructions, and I have read them, but there is no reference to a simple two wire (unmarked) set up. And, yes, I know the nest has the capability to control much more than I have, but I want the ability to program, and control remotely. It's only marginally more expensive than the basic ones that provide that functionality. In the end, I believe the answer is to connect the wires to Rh and W1. Thanks, Ian |
#16
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 12/14/2013 3:49 PM, Daring Dufas : A Sock Of Killer Loon wrote:
It doesn't come with directions? Killer Loon, living proof that human females should never have sex with farm animals. ^_^ TDD |
#17
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Ian wrote:
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 10:52:40 AM UTC-5, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian Yes, it comes with installation instructions, and I have read them, but there is no reference to a simple two wire (unmarked) set up. And, yes, I know the nest has the capability to control much more than I have, but I want the ability to program, and control remotely. It's only marginally more expensive than the basic ones that provide that functionality. In the end, I believe the answer is to connect the wires to Rh and W1. Thanks, Ian Hi, Yes, indeed but you have to connect right wire to the corresponding terminal. W1 means 1 stage heat, RH means 24V AC control power lead, H meaning for heating. If you cross this wires you may damage the 'stat. Take a look at the furnace end to see if you can sort out this two wires. If you measure the voltage between furnace frame and this wire, one showing 24V AC or so is one for Rh terminal, the other one is for W1. Some times wires are color coded. |
#18
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On Sat, 14 Dec 2013 10:43:44 -0700, Tony Hwang
wrote: Why are you asking? Read the manual? No? You can download it. Still have questions? Then ask. Husband and wife argue over the town name on a map. Stop for fast food traveling in Florida. Husband asked the cashier; is this Kimminee or "kiss-a-me". Cashier states: No sir, this is McDonald's. |
#19
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message ... , Yes, indeed but you have to connect right wire to the corresponding terminal. W1 means 1 stage heat, RH means 24V AC control power lead, H meaning for heating. If you cross this wires you may damage the 'stat. Take a look at the furnace end to see if you can sort out this two wires. If you measure the voltage between furnace frame and this wire, one showing 24V AC or so is one for Rh terminal, the other one is for W1. Some times wires are color coded. The instructions state that RH and W1 are the terminals to use. Even if the "contacts" are solid state, mixing the wires would not hurt anything. |
#20
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Irreverent Maximus wrote:
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message ... , Yes, indeed but you have to connect right wire to the corresponding terminal. W1 means 1 stage heat, RH means 24V AC control power lead, H meaning for heating. If you cross this wires you may damage the 'stat. Take a look at the furnace end to see if you can sort out this two wires. If you measure the voltage between furnace frame and this wire, one showing 24V AC or so is one for Rh terminal, the other one is for W1. Some times wires are color coded. The instructions state that RH and W1 are the terminals to use. Even if the "contacts" are solid state, mixing the wires would not hurt anything. Hmm, Note the word "may". Until tried result unknown. |
#21
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
just try it, I doubt you will damage anything if it doesn't work.
make sure RH is connected directly to transformer I suspect if you have any issues repulling to add a common will fix. |
#22
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 12/14/2013 08:25 PM, Irreverent Maximus wrote:
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message ... , Yes, indeed but you have to connect right wire to the corresponding terminal. W1 means 1 stage heat, RH means 24V AC control power lead, H meaning for heating. If you cross this wires you may damage the 'stat. Take a look at the furnace end to see if you can sort out this two wires. If you measure the voltage between furnace frame and this wire, one showing 24V AC or so is one for Rh terminal, the other one is for W1. Some times wires are color coded. The instructions state that RH and W1 are the terminals to use. Even if the "contacts" are solid state, mixing the wires would not hurt anything. It might not recharge unless the "line" is correctly connected to RH. Otherwise, I agree. nate -- replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply. http://members.cox.net/njnagel |
#23
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
I just installed 2 of these nest thermostat in my house. Both 2 wire connection, un marked, The system is gas, radiant in floor heating and basically if you touch the 2 wires it completes the circuit and you have heat. My nest has a built in battery so it works even when i pull it off the wall. anyways you just need to connect W1 and RH and you are good to go, even if you get the wires backwards it will still work, i am not sure on if it will charge the nest if it is backwards. I am going to take a look at my relay box tomorrow and verify the color codes. i have both of the wired opposite so i know they work no matter what.
good luck. On Saturday, 14 December 2013 07:52:40 UTC-8, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian |
#24
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
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#26
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
trader_4 wrote:
On Sunday, April 6, 2014 1:39:07 AM UTC-4, Tony Hwang wrote: wrote: I just installed 2 of these nest thermostat in my house. Both 2 wire connection, un marked, The system is gas, radiant in floor heating and basically if you touch the 2 wires it completes the circuit and you have heat. My nest has a built in battery so it works even when i pull it off the wall. anyways you just need to connect W1 and RH and you are good to go, even if you get the wires backwards it will still work, i am not sure on if it will charge the nest if it is backwards. I am going to take a look at my relay box tomorrow and verify the color codes. i have both of the wired opposite so i know they work no matter what. good luck. On Saturday, 14 December 2013 07:52:40 UTC-8, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian Hi, Nest 'stat has firmware bug, never heard about it? Off topic their smoke detectors are being recalled. It apparently has a lot more serious problems. The long list of ****ed off customer complaints at Amazon is amazing. Last time I looked, which was months ago, most of the complaints were related to using it in the 2 wire mode, where they try to rob power from the system to power the thermostat. In order to reduce power to make that possible, instead of using small relays like most other thermostats, they used FETs which apparently burn out, don't work, etc. One feature they appear to have that you gotta love is that it can and will install software updates any time it wants to and you have no control over if it does, nor when. Just what you want in a mission critical app. IMO this thing is great if you want a stylish ornament for your wall. If you want a real thermostat, that works, I'd get a Honeywell VisionPro. Hi, I maybe biased as Honeywell retiree, I like Honeywell Vision Pro line my self. Just good for the guy who sold the Nest to Google for 3 billion. Rule is the more a device gets fancy, the more possibility of some thing behaving weird unexpectedly. |
#27
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
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#28
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:52:40 AM UTC-8, Ian wrote:
I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. On Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:52:40 AM UTC-8, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian |
#29
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:52:40 AM UTC-8, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. On Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:52:40 AM UTC-8, Ian wrote: I am installing a new NEST thermostat, replacing an old two wire mercury bulb furnace thermostat. There are only two unmarked wires. There's 24 V across the wires. Can anyone tell me which letters on the NEST base (W, Y, O/B, AUX, E, G, C, etc) they will map to? It has to be the most basic of installations; open or close the circuit. Thanks, Ian Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. I think the Nest sucks for other reasons too. Lots of stories of people saying that they can't control it, it just does what it wants, etc. That's how it's marketed, isn't it? I saw people complaining that if they were home from work, sick in bed, and wanted it to just keep a set temp, it would just keep reverting back to figuring out that because it didn't see movement for awhile, it thought you'd left the house..... I don't need that. For me a Honeywell VisionPro that's programmable works just fine. I would get internet connectivity in my next one, so that I could control the heat from my phone, turn it up when I get back to the airport, etc. Could get a VP that does that for $150. Also, don't be fooled into some incredible claimed energy savings. Those savings are mostly due to what you can do with any programmable thermostat. |
#30
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:19:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote: On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote: I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. I think the Nest sucks for other reasons too. Lots of stories of people saying that they can't control it, it just does what it wants, etc. That's how it's marketed, isn't it? I saw people complaining that if they were home from work, sick in bed, and wanted it to just keep a set temp, it would just keep reverting back to figuring out that because it didn't see movement for awhile, it thought you'd left the house..... This is the wave of the future. If you're just going to lie in bed for hours, you should have gone to a hotel. I don't need that. Of course you don't NEED it but it's modern, high-tech, and it's what we will all have soon. For me a Honeywell VisionPro that's programmable works just fine. I would get internet connectivity in my next one, so that I could control the heat from my phone, turn it up when I get back to the airport, etc. Could get a VP that does that for $150. There's something about coming into a cold house that seems like part of taking a trip. It doesn't take long to warm up. Also, don't be fooled into some incredible claimed energy savings. Those savings are mostly due to what you can do with any programmable thermostat. I'm sure you're right. |
#31
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:19:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4 wrote: On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote: I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. I think the Nest sucks for other reasons too. Lots of stories of people saying that they can't control it, it just does what it wants, etc. That's how it's marketed, isn't it? I saw people complaining that if they were home from work, sick in bed, and wanted it to just keep a set temp, it would just keep reverting back to figuring out that because it didn't see movement for awhile, it thought you'd left the house..... This is the wave of the future. If you're just going to lie in bed for hours, you should have gone to a hotel. I don't need that. Of course you don't NEED it but it's modern, high-tech, and it's what we will all have soon. For me a Honeywell VisionPro that's programmable works just fine. I would get internet connectivity in my next one, so that I could control the heat from my phone, turn it up when I get back to the airport, etc. Could get a VP that does that for $150. There's something about coming into a cold house that seems like part of taking a trip. It doesn't take long to warm up. Also, don't be fooled into some incredible claimed energy savings. Those savings are mostly due to what you can do with any programmable thermostat. I'm sure you're right. I strongly suggest you buy something else. Version 1 had big issues with under-rated relay causing a/c compressor burn out when relay sticks. There are many other choices like Ecobee, 3M, Honeywell, etc. They are all WiFi thermostats. I believe 3M one is made by Honeywell. |
#32
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Tony Hwang wrote:
micky wrote: In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:19:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4 wrote: On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote: I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. I think the Nest sucks for other reasons too. Lots of stories of people saying that they can't control it, it just does what it wants, etc. That's how it's marketed, isn't it? I saw people complaining that if they were home from work, sick in bed, and wanted it to just keep a set temp, it would just keep reverting back to figuring out that because it didn't see movement for awhile, it thought you'd left the house..... This is the wave of the future. If you're just going to lie in bed for hours, you should have gone to a hotel. I don't need that. Of course you don't NEED it but it's modern, high-tech, and it's what we will all have soon. For me a Honeywell VisionPro that's programmable works just fine. I would get internet connectivity in my next one, so that I could control the heat from my phone, turn it up when I get back to the airport, etc. Could get a VP that does that for $150. There's something about coming into a cold house that seems like part of taking a trip. It doesn't take long to warm up. Also, don't be fooled into some incredible claimed energy savings. Those savings are mostly due to what you can do with any programmable thermostat. I'm sure you're right. I strongly suggest you buy something else. Version 1 had big issues with under-rated relay causing a/c compressor burn out when relay sticks. There are many other choices like Ecobee, 3M, Honeywell, etc. They are all WiFi thermostats. I believe 3M one is made by Honeywell. BTW, I have wireless(no wires betweeen thermostat and system) and WiFi Honeywell thermostat. I can control it any where in the world using internet. using computer or smart phone) |
#33
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 8/10/2015 9:11 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:19:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4 wrote: On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote: I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. You need three wires for heat only, common, 24VAC, and RH (request heat). It's good to have more wires, one for fan-only, and one for RC (request cool). It would be surprising if the extra two wires you have don't run back to where the furnace is. You do not want to install a NEST thermostat in "power stealing" mode because it can destroy the furnace's controller board. |
#34
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:23:28 -0600, Tony Hwang
wrote: Tony Hwang wrote: micky wrote: In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:19:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4 wrote: On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote: I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. I think the Nest sucks for other reasons too. Lots of stories of people saying that they can't control it, it just does what it wants, etc. That's how it's marketed, isn't it? I saw people complaining that if they were home from work, sick in bed, and wanted it to just keep a set temp, it would just keep reverting back to figuring out that because it didn't see movement for awhile, it thought you'd left the house..... This is the wave of the future. If you're just going to lie in bed for hours, you should have gone to a hotel. I don't need that. Of course you don't NEED it but it's modern, high-tech, and it's what we will all have soon. For me a Honeywell VisionPro that's programmable works just fine. I would get internet connectivity in my next one, so that I could control the heat from my phone, turn it up when I get back to the airport, etc. Could get a VP that does that for $150. There's something about coming into a cold house that seems like part of taking a trip. It doesn't take long to warm up. Also, don't be fooled into some incredible claimed energy savings. Those savings are mostly due to what you can do with any programmable thermostat. I'm sure you're right. I strongly suggest you buy something else. Version 1 had big issues with under-rated relay causing a/c compressor burn out when relay sticks. There are many other choices like Ecobee, 3M, Honeywell, etc. They are all WiFi thermostats. I believe 3M one is made by Honeywell. BTW, I have wireless(no wires betweeen thermostat and system) and WiFi Honeywell thermostat. I can control it any where in the world using internet. using computer or smart phone) Of course that means terrorist hackers can turn up the heat in your house. You've been warned. |
#35
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:23:28 -0600, Tony Hwang wrote: Tony Hwang wrote: micky wrote: In alt.home.repair, on Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:19:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4 wrote: On Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:11:45 AM UTC-4, wrote: I am considering buying a NEST thermostat today. I have one of the basic two wire thermostats where I have a white and a red wire. It's the type with the mercury bulb. The guy came around from the installers and tried installing a nest three months ago and told me it would not work on a two wire system. I have heard different stories about this. Some say yes it does work, other say it won't work without pulling through a common wire (whatever that is, I am no electrician) My two wires are red and white BUT I also have two other wires that are there, a black and a green one that weren't connected at the thermostat. I am wondering if I could use one of those wires as a common if need be. I would imagine they are for a future install of a heat pump. Can anyone advise me on this?. Thank you. Assuming those additional wires run all the way back to the furnace, which is likely, then yes one of them could be used as a common to supply power. If the installer was at all competent, he should have been able to deal with that the first time around. I looked into the Nest a few years ago and from what I saw, there were a huge number of problems, with most of them involving trying to steal power with 2 wire installations. Things like it shorting out, forcing the heat or cooling to full on, regardless of temp. I think the Nest sucks for other reasons too. Lots of stories of people saying that they can't control it, it just does what it wants, etc. That's how it's marketed, isn't it? I saw people complaining that if they were home from work, sick in bed, and wanted it to just keep a set temp, it would just keep reverting back to figuring out that because it didn't see movement for awhile, it thought you'd left the house..... This is the wave of the future. If you're just going to lie in bed for hours, you should have gone to a hotel. I don't need that. Of course you don't NEED it but it's modern, high-tech, and it's what we will all have soon. For me a Honeywell VisionPro that's programmable works just fine. I would get internet connectivity in my next one, so that I could control the heat from my phone, turn it up when I get back to the airport, etc. Could get a VP that does that for $150. There's something about coming into a cold house that seems like part of taking a trip. It doesn't take long to warm up. Also, don't be fooled into some incredible claimed energy savings. Those savings are mostly due to what you can do with any programmable thermostat. I'm sure you're right. I strongly suggest you buy something else. Version 1 had big issues with under-rated relay causing a/c compressor burn out when relay sticks. There are many other choices like Ecobee, 3M, Honeywell, etc. They are all WiFi thermostats. I believe 3M one is made by Honeywell. BTW, I have wireless(no wires betweeen thermostat and system) and WiFi Honeywell thermostat. I can control it any where in the world using internet. using computer or smart phone) Of course that means terrorist hackers can turn up the heat in your house. You've been warned. High end system has that all taken care off. It won't allow it. It won't cause freezing or over heating due to AI. |
#36
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 08/10/2015 11:23 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:
[snip] BTW, I have wireless(no wires betweeen thermostat and system) and WiFi Honeywell thermostat. I can control it any where in the world using internet. using computer or smart phone) When you do so, are you connecting directly to the thermostat or to a web server that's controlled by the company? If the latter, then someone else actually has control over your thermostat in a way that you don't. It shouldn't be too expensive for a thermostat to contain an embedded web server, and then YOU connect to IT. I find this very important. -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.us/ "The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do." -- Eric Hoffer |
#37
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 08/10/2015 11:40 PM, micky wrote:
[snip] Of course that means terrorist hackers can turn up the heat in your house. You've been warned. That's one reason I want a thermostat I control. BTW, At this moment I happen to be looking at my network router. It's one computerized thing I can connect to directly to change it's settings. No company has access. -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.us/ "The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do." -- Eric Hoffer |
#38
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
On 08/10/2015 11:33 PM, sms wrote:
[snip] You need three wires for heat only, common, 24VAC, and RH (request heat). It's good to have more wires, one for fan-only, and one for RC (request cool). It would be surprising if the extra two wires you have don't run back to where the furnace is. The new system I got a couple of years ago requires 7 wires, since it has 2-stage heating and cooling (not heat pump). They actually put in 10 wires (3 available for future use). [snip] -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.us/ "The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do." -- Eric Hoffer |
#39
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 08/10/2015 11:33 PM, sms wrote: [snip] You need three wires for heat only, common, 24VAC, and RH (request heat). It's good to have more wires, one for fan-only, and one for RC (request cool). It would be surprising if the extra two wires you have don't run back to where the furnace is. The new system I got a couple of years ago requires 7 wires, since it has 2-stage heating and cooling (not heat pump). They actually put in 10 wires (3 available for future use). [snip] I quit fooling around with wires quite a while ago. Wireless thermostat is so handy. |
#40
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Installing NEST Thermostat - two wires
Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 08/10/2015 11:23 PM, Tony Hwang wrote: [snip] BTW, I have wireless(no wires betweeen thermostat and system) and WiFi Honeywell thermostat. I can control it any where in the world using internet. using computer or smart phone) When you do so, are you connecting directly to the thermostat or to a web server that's controlled by the company? If the latter, then someone else actually has control over your thermostat in a way that you don't. It shouldn't be too expensive for a thermostat to contain an embedded web server, and then YOU connect to IT. I find this very important. That is moot point. Still you have to depend on the Internet for remote access. Nothing in the world is 100%, perfect;y secure. Ever heard of any system scoring perfect security ratings according to mil-spec.? When I was retiring best there was B2 rating. My home network is UTM enterprise class router based, best I could afford. So far never been compromised by hackers. Any way if there is unauthorized intrusion, at least I'll know any way as soon as it happens. BTW, I use wired gateway for outside connection. At least one less worry not using WiFi method. |
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