Remote temperature monitoring on controller enclosures?

[Broomy111]

Is this something anyone does?  Just was wondering.

Just thought it would be good to get a text message or email that one of my controller enclosures is melting down and my house will soon be up in flames.

On a serious side, anyone ever have an enclosure fire?


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[Greg.Ca]

The Pixlite16's that I am currently using all have remote temperature monitoring and a output for controlling a fan for cooling. I however have included a N.O. 120 VAC snap switch that keeps my enclosure boxes cooled. The N.O. snap switch I selected closes at 20C and reopens at 15C. Perfect environment for the board and numerous power supplies that need to be cooled. This simple cooling system is protecting the board and the power supplies. I wouldn't and couldn't run without it. See the photo and you will see the temp switch. Look for the temp switch near the top of the right group of ground blocks

--Greg--

[jnealand]

There was a show about 1 mi from me that caught on fire last season.  I do not know the cause, but there were 4 LOR controllers in a box disguised as a present.  I believe this box was used for several seasons without issue.  I need to go visit with that person and see if what really happened.

[Broomy111]

The Pixlite16's that I am currently using all have remote temperature monitoring and a output for controlling a fan for cooling. I however have included a N.O. 120 VAC snap switch that keeps my enclosure boxes cooled. The N.O. snap switch I selected closes at 20C and reopens at 15C. Perfect environment for the board and numerous power supplies that need to be cooled. This simple cooling system is protecting the board and the power supplies. I wouldn't and couldn't run without it. See the photo and you will see the temp switch. Look for the temp switch near the top of the right group of ground blocks

--Greg--

WOW, nice looking set up.  How about a picture of your controllers and your set up?

So a snap switch can be placed in each controller box to kill the power to the box if it exceeds a set temp? 

This will be my first year deploying controller boxes and with my static display I could easily walk out into the garage and quickly monitor the sub panel and all the connections, but having heat generating devices in a small enclosure has me a little nervous.

[Broomy111]

There was a show about 1 mi from me that caught on fire last season.  I do not know the cause, but there were 4 LOR controllers in a box disguised as a present.  I believe this box was used for several seasons without issue.  I need to go visit with that person and see if what really happened.

That's my fear  :-(

[Greg.Ca]

No, a snap switch turns on the fans when it exceeds a set temperature. In my case, I selected 20C as the turn on temperature. At this point the fans turn on and stay on until the case temperature drops below 15C.

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[Broomy111]

Ahhh ok. Electrical is not my strong suit.  I'm trying to get better :-) I'm going to check that out.


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[Greg.Ca]

If you have a power supply or in my case an nema enclosure with several power supplies, they must be cooled. I designed a circuit that has a manual forced on and a manual forced off along with a snap switch that keeps my nema boxes always within 55-70 degrees  F. (15-20C). Not rocket science. '-Good luck. If you need more help, PM me --Greg

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[Broomy111]

Perfect!  Thanks


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[JMeckley520]

There was a show about 1 mi from me that caught on fire last season.  I do not know the cause, but there were 4 LOR controllers in a box disguised as a present.  I believe this box was used for several seasons without issue.  I need to go visit with that person and see if what really happened.

Jim - that was ME and yes, we had quite the "fire element" in the show last year. Yes, I had 4 lor controllers in a home-built box (rolling toolbox from home depot). Near as we could tell, a slithering critter came in to catch the warm, dryness and mistakenly crawled across the power terminals, thus becoming a crispy critter... And caused a 6' towering inferno that took 2 extinguishers to put out. Not sure if remote temperature sensing would have helped much... But clearly the need to chill is high but comes with a risk... Have to have venting which leaves avenues for creatures to travel.

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[Broomy111]

There was a show about 1 mi from me that caught on fire last season.  I do not know the cause, but there were 4 LOR controllers in a box disguised as a present.  I believe this box was used for several seasons without issue.  I need to go visit with that person and see if what really happened.

Jim - that was ME and yes, we had quite the "fire element" in the show last year. Yes, I had 4 lor controllers in a home-built box (rolling toolbox from home depot). Near as we could tell, a slithering critter came in to catch the warm, dryness and mistakenly crawled across the power terminals, thus becoming a crispy critter... And caused a 6' towering inferno that took 2 extinguishers to put out. Not sure if remote temperature sensing would have helped much... But clearly the need to chill is high but comes with a risk... Have to have venting which leaves avenues for creatures to travel.

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Wow!  That's scary.  Note to self, don't put my controllers under my pine trees.


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