Hot water heater timer?

Hardware
1

Has anyone found a good hot water heater timer they like that works with home assistant?

there is a few things it needs.

  1. I need to be able to manually turn on/off. Like if we want hot water now then we should be able to.
  2. I should be able to see some indicator on the box when it is closed saying if it is on or off. Light is prefer. But if it has a smart display then fine.
  3. The schedule needs to be on the device itself. If the internet or home assistant goes to crap, it shouldn’t effect the timer. Bonus points if the schedule is done manually.
  4. I should be able to turn it on/off with home assistant.

I’m having a hard time finding something

2

You could use a sonoff basic, and re-flash it with esphome?
With esphome you can make the switch autonomous any way you like to.

It does involve a lot of DIY though

3

Gas? Resistance Electric? Hybrid? Other?

4

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5

If you expect good suggestions, post specs of your heater.
Normal smart relay like Shelly 1 can likely do what you want.

6

I think 30amp

7

I’m assuming you are talking about modifying one. My hope was to find something off the shelf that will work. That will basically hit all or most of the marks. It’s a normal water tank. Electric, I think 30 amp

The thing that is being replaced is Intermatic WH40 Electric Water Heater Timer, Gray - Wall Timer Switches - Amazon.com

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It isn’t this, but it should give you an idea. The one we had, for some reason the wire started smoking. We are going to be looking at that more later this week to see the cause. But I’m assuming the timer needs to be replaced. And I figure if we are, then we might as well look at something that works with home assistant. At best we get something we can remotely turn on/off the heat. At worse we stick to something like this.

All the features something like this has to be there. (local timer settings, manual control, etc)

I’m just wanting the ability to turn on/off the heater remotely to mostly expand our abilities. After doing a bit of research I don’t think what I’m aiming for exist. But I figure I might as well ask before giving up.

8

I think so too. Why would someone build such a device…
But it’s easy to solve the problem. Leave that timer like it is, connect the output of that to smart relay’s switch input and then output of that relay to 30A+ contactor.

1 Like
9
1 Like
10

I have this but it’s hard to find these days.

With that kind of amp flowing through, you would not want “relay” but “contactor” to switch on and off.

11

I would isolate and remedy that problem before doing anything about replacing a timer, due to it possibly catching alight. If your house burns down, having a functional timer is the least of your worries. If you have insulation breakdown or intermittent contact, no replacement timer will fix that. You need an electrician.

Not if you are pulling 30amps for a sonoff rated at 10amps! The magic smoke would appear in milliseconds and leave you with a molten mess. You could use the sonoff as a controller for a contactor rated to switch the higher current however.

That mechanical timer you show is rated to switch 40amps. You will need a suitable contactor to switch that load if you automate the smart alternative.

The same question as the others: What make and model is your boiler? Even a clear photo of the label showing the electrical and heating ratings would be helpful.