Thermostat issues

[Code54]

I recently put a propane heater in my shop and added a 24v thermostat. The heater is great!!!!! The thermostat works fine but only goes down to 60 degrees ( would have bought something different by could not get anything in the right voltage locally so I ordered this one and didn't know it didn't do below 60)
Is there anyway to lower the temp setting on a mechanical thermostat ( bend something etc...). I really want to keep the shop around 45ish when I am not in there and just turn it up when I go over to work. I don't care if the numbers on the slider are accurate I just would like to lower my lowest setting.
Thanks

 

[Egon]

Your heater will probably have an on/off valve for the propane so nothing there to change.

There may be some adjustment to the thermostat itself but that is an Iffy type thing unless you are very familiar with them.

Can you move the thermostat to a different location in the shop. One that is warmer so the thermostat does not see the actual temperature of the garage?

 

[Egon]

Your heater will probably have an on/off valve for the propane so nothing there to change.

There may be some adjustment to the thermostat itself but that is an Iffy type thing unless you are very familiar with them.

Can you move the thermostat to a different location in the shop. One that is warmer or see's heat sooner so the thermostat does not see the actual temperature of the garage?

 

[Depmandog]

I believe most bimetallic thermostats have a way to make minor adjustments as they are tested and adjusted at the factory. Look for a way to loosen and rotate the bimetallic coil. Doubt though it has a 30 degree range (15 up / 15 down) to get you from your 60 down to 45. (and it might be the older ones had this - not sure).

You probably will have to adjust the bend where the coiled section turns 90 degrees to make contact with your set point (temp adjustment). Use two pair of needle nose pliers and open the angle from its roughly 90 degree angle mark another 10 degrees or so (bend the end to the right).

The angle you need to bend it will be reflected in the distance from 60 to 75 degrees on your set point (assuming you want to make 15 degrees temp adjustment.). Use that distance as a gauge on how far to open the angle.

Test this setting. It will probably take some trial and error to get it where you want it. Make sure you don't twist the metal, it needs to make contact with the set point to close the circuit to fire up the heater when it cools down and contracts.

Hope this helps. And if you totally jack things up .... Uh well - we tried!

Dean

 

[Mace Canute]

If you can find one of the old Honeywell T87 non-programmable thermostats, it will work perfectly for what you want.

 

[DanD78]

I saw a guy that has a small light bulb by his thermostat when he wants to drop the temp. The bulb heats the thermostat and makes it think the room is warm.

Dan

 

[Redneck in training]

Most thermostats for direct electric heat go as low as 45F. The "non electronic" are cheap. The lectronic one are for 220V. Just bought some in HD.
Cadet Mfg. 08121 Wh Sngle Pole Thermostat

 

[kenmac]

If you can find an old mercury type bulb t.stat. You could install it where it's not level to have the heater come on at what ever temp you want & check it with a therometer for your desired temp. most of those old t.stats went down to around 45-50. You should be able to adjust the 1 you have a few deg. off

 

[KennyG]

You usually have to go to the manufacturers data sheet for actual capability, but most Honeywell electronic thermostats now have a heating control range from 40 deg F to 90 deg F. When I add heat to my pole barn, I'm going to add a programmable one like this:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RTH221B-Basic-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B000WEKNOW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323183699&sr=8-4"]http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RTH221B-Basic-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B000WEKNOW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323183699&sr=8-4[/ame]

I can set it to return to 40 degrees every six hours so that it will shut down if I (or my family ) forget to turn the heat off. It's only $23.

 

[grsthegreat]

I agree that the programmable electronic t stats can go from the 40s to the 90s. And most will work with millivolt or 24 volt systems. you'll need to look up the spec sheets on them