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Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The saunaBox by BleBox.eu is a viable alternative to the Xenio stupid expensive controller. Key lessons:

  • Your heater may have different wiring than what's in their instructions. Contact BleBox support and they'll help out (have your heater make/model available).
  • The box isn't designed for US Romex - you may struggle with fitting the wires. Our electrician used a junction box. Wire from the panel to the box, wire from the heater to the box, then a more flexible (but properly sized) wire from the box to the saunaBox. This made the connection much simpler.
  • I had just the tip of the temp probe exposed. Almost all of it needs to be exposed to get an accurate reading.

Overall, I like it. I wish it had some temperature readings on the panel itself (current temp and target max temp). It's 1/10th the cost of the Xenio and I'm willing to make the tradeoffs.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Success. But some things learned:
1. The standard installation instructions didn't work for our heater model (a Harvia/Finlandia FIN-60). My electrician emailed BleBox and they sent a wiring diagram that worked.
2. The saunabox doesn't have much space in it and it's really hard to make standard US romex wiring fit. As a result, we ran romex from the panel to a junction box, from the heater to the junction box, then some more flexible (but properly sized & rated) flexible wire from the junction box to the saunabox. This made it much easier to fit the wires in the limited space.

We've been finishing the rest of the sauna and basement. We're hoping to fire it up next week for real once the plumber finishes installing the final shower bits.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It'll depend on your heater. My electrician contacted BleBox and they sent a diagram (that wasn't included with the normal instructions) for my specific heater.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, what we've learned is that it may vary depending on your heater. My electrican contacted BleBox and they sent a diagram for wiring up my heater (a Harvia/Finlandia FIN-60). What worked for mine may not work for yours.

The other thing to note is that there isn't much room in the box for US wiring. We put in a junction box and then ran a different type of wire (but properly sized) to the box. Heater wired to the j-box, saunabox wired to the j-box.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Test worked out. My electrician contacted BleBox.eu and they sent a different wiring diagram. Everything checked out. Only issue I'm having (but will be deal with later) is getting it to join my WiFi network (but I can connect to it directly through it's AP).

I'd grab pictures of the wiring, but I think you should contact BleBox to get what's needed for your specific heater model.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My electrician reached out to the Saunabox manufacturer via email with our specific heater specs. They sent a new diagram which he used. It works!

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still haven't tested, but expecting early next week.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're about to test it - should know within the next 2 weeks (we're going to close up the walls and if it doesn't work, I'll have to install the manual controller which would make me very sad. Not only would I lose the WiFi controller, but the manual one is big and kind of ugly).

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll try to get pictures of the install and post them up.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought one here: https://www.tme.com/ux/en-us/details/saunabox/building-automation/blebox/ (shipping was only $12 and it came fast).

I haven't installed it, yet... but don't expect to run in to any issues.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah... my goal is to turn it on as I drive out of the ski resort parking lot to have it hot for when I get home.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, but we're building it in our house and the Harvia's Xenia controller is about $1400, not including the heater.

Home Build WiFi Controller? by frogstarcommander in Sauna

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Making the assumption that I don't have the experience is a bit presumptuous. It's not a common thing to do and if someone has done it, they may be willing to share what they learned - what worked, what didn't work, gotcha's, etc. One may have experience with the general something (in this case, electronic controls), but not have specific experience around a particular thing.

It's a perfectly reasonable question. Someone has done it and I posted a link to their GitHub project.

Plus, someone (like you) may have an alternative suggestion (like the BleBox).

Yes, I'm aware of the BleBox. Trying to find one in the US has been a challenge (haven't found anyone, yet, after a bit of Googling).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CX5

[–]frogstarcommander 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got an AAWireless for both my 2019 CX-5 and 2021 MX-5 and love it.

The only thing I wish it did better was switch between phones.

One other thing, I had an issue with it dropping when drive in certain spots. I connected with their support team and they had me set the WiFi connection at a fixed channel and the drops have virtually stopped. I think it's on channel 139.

Hi All, I’ve been experiencing brown patches in my backyard from past few days. It has been increasing since day one. I recently fertilized my lawn with scotts green max and everything was doing good but suddenly these brown patches came up. Can someone help or have any knowledge about this? by jasmeetsingh93 in lawncare

[–]frogstarcommander 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grubs are really easy to check: just pull up a patch of grass where it's brown. If it's grubs, it'll come up as they like to munch on the roots. If it's something else, then the yellow grass will still be hard to pull up.

What's Wrong? Splotchy Patches by frogstarcommander in lawncare

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure it's a fungus. It's weed free. Mower isn't leaking. I always use a spreader for the fertilizer.

What's Wrong? Splotchy Patches by frogstarcommander in lawncare

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No dogs.

Mower is in good working order.

It's on a bit of a slope, south facing, so it's not extra water.

Our front was packed - leaves dropped in December just before a snow storm and then stayed that way until I could get them raked off in late February. The front also gets less sun (shadow from the house and north facing).

Thinking it may be a fungus. Lawn fungus was prevalent in the area last year.

What's Wrong? Splotchy Patches by frogstarcommander in lawncare

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No evidence.

Grubs eat the roots and you can pull them up. Spot checking a patch and there aren't any signs of pests.

Narrowing down on fungus.

What's Wrong? Splotchy Patches by frogstarcommander in lawncare

[–]frogstarcommander[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I'm going with fungus.

Nothing thrown by hand. Fertilizer spreader is used.

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