Apex controlled outlet for something 12amps or larger?

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Situation:
- I have a 1.5hp chiller that pulls 10.8 amps.
- I am using an EB4 due to it having an outlet rated for 12 amps
- I absolutely need to control the power to the chiller with my Apex. The thermostat in the chiller is rated at +/- 2 degrees.
- The first time the chiller came online the 15amp breaker on the EB4 popped. It has not popped since then.

Question:
Is there a way to:
1) Take the EB4 apart and change parts out to make it 20amp?
2) put commercial grade parts rated for 15amp?
3) is there another way to do this using the Apex to control the on/off for the chiller?

 

[Timfish]

You'll need to use an intermediate relay to handle higher current loads. Something like this and you might want to ytalk to an electrician about wiring it up.

 

[Subsea]

Situation:
- I have a 1.5hp chiller that pulls 10.8 amps.
- I am using an EB4 due to it having an outlet rated for 12 amps
- I absolutely need to control the power to the chiller with my Apex. The thermostat in the chiller is rated at +/- 2 degrees.
- The first time the chiller came online the 15amp breaker on the EB4 popped. It has not popped since then.

Question:
Is there a way to:
1) Take the EB4 apart and change parts out to make it 20amp?
2) put commercial grade parts rated for 15amp?
3) is there another way to do this using the Apex to control the on/off for the chiller?

Get a 20A 120V NO relay that uses output of Apex controller as latch in power.

Baomain AC Contactor HC1-20/20 110V 20A 2 Pole 2NO Universal Circuit Control DIN 4.34.3 out of 5 stars​

(136)
50+ bought in past month
$9.99
https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-Cont...0v,+no&qid=1746543539&sprefix=,aps,714&sr=8-3
I am not an electrician, yet this is an easy diy.

https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-Cont...0v,+no&qid=1746543539&sprefix=,aps,714&sr=8-3

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

This is great. So, it would look like @Timfish 's example I could maybe wire into the EB4? And @Subsea 's I would wire into an outlet? Thus getting a signal from the apex to activate it? Let me start digging on here and youtube, clearly I won't be the first person to do this. Hopfully someone has documented this for those like me who aren't affraid to get zapped occasionally, lol. Thank you!

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Then I found this. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h...1hp-chiller-with-apex-power-bar-eb832.720936/

 

[Reefer Matt]

Is the EB8 also on a 20 amp circuit for the main breaker panel? If not, you may need to change your house wiring and breaker to upgrade to 20 amp.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Is the EB8 also on a 20 amp circuit for the main breaker panel? If not, you may need to change your house wiring and breaker to upgrade to 20 amp.

@Reefer Matt , Yes it is on a dedicated 20amp circuit. I am using a EB4, it has a 12AMP rated outlet, EB8s/EB832s don't. My Chiller pulls 11 amps on start up then coasts at 9amps. Over time 11amps could cause the EB4 to fail. I've already popped the 15amp breaker on the EB4 the first time the chiller fired up. But, it's likely that dropping the EB4 could have caused the circuit breaker to "move". Having a 20amp circuit that the EB is plugged into doesn't mean I can pull 20amps through the EB.

 

[Reefer Matt]

@Reefer Matt , Yes it is on a dedicated 20amp circuit. I am using a EB4, it has a 12AMP rated outlet, EB8s/EB832s don't. My Chiller pulls 11 amps on start up then coasts at 9amps. Over time 11amps could cause the EB4 to fail. I've already popped the 15amp breaker on the EB4 the first time the chiller fired up. But, it's likely that dropping the EB4 could have caused the circuit breaker to "move". Having a 20amp circuit that the EB is plugged into doesn't mean I can pull 20amps through the EB.

Understood. You didn’t mention the EB8 was plugged into a 20 amp circuit, 15 amp is usually standard. My concern was even if the EB8 outlet was upgraded to a 20 amp, but plugged into a 15 amp circuit.

 

[JeffB418]

Check this thread out, the bottom has a 120V relay thats super heavy duty https://forum.coralvuehydros.com/threads/running-larger-ac-loads-off-xp8-ac-output.2291/

 

[Timfish]

Then I found this. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h...1hp-chiller-with-apex-power-bar-eb832.720936/

That will work too.