### CHPC: Cheap Heat Pump Controller v1.0 The CHPC a minimal cost Heat Pump (HP) controller, which can be used as provided, or can be adopted to nearly all use cases due to open source nature.

## Development State: active

## Applications: | Usage. | Brief description. | Application examples | Available protections | | ---------- | ------------------ | ------------------ | -------------------- | | 1. Thermostat. | Precision thermostat. Simple and cheap.
Only 1 relay and 1 temperature sensor required.
| Room heat control. Chicken coop climate control. Distillation column or Yogurt maker t. control. Else. | N/A | | 2. Heat pump (HP) control. | Controller drives HP system components: compressor, Cold and Hot side Circulating Pumps (CP). Protects system from overload, overheat and freezing up. Drives EEV\* to optimize running conditions. | DIY heat pump system. Repair module for commercial system. Water heater, house heating systems and same. | Compressor: cold start or overheat. Discharge and suction lines protection. Short-term power loss. Anti-freeze. Power overload protection. | \* under development For more information about Heap Pumps look at [Wikipedia about HP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_pump)

## Control interfaces: None: Target temperature uploaded to board with firmware and cannot be changed. System used as fixed thermostat. Target temperature can be changed later with firmware re-upload.
0.96 OLED or 1602 LCD screen + buttons: Simple, local screen controlled system. Remote control is not possible.
Remote computer terminal over RS-485 line. Target temperature and running conditions under remote control. User can get stats from all T sensors. Up to 1.2 kilometer line.\*
Remote automated control/stats via RS-485. Firmware was written with python scripting in mind (and real scripts at prototype 485 network).
\* RS-485 specification. Hardware test succeeded on 400 meters line.

## Relays: ### "Thermostat": Only 1 Relay: drives electric heater (any) ### "Heat Pump". Capillary tube, TXV, EEV: 5 Relays, drives all you need: * Compressor (can be used as external relay driver for High Power systems) * Cold Circulating Pump (CP) * Hot CP * Sump Heater (optional, recommended for outdoor HP installations) * 4-way Valve (support coming up: autumn 2019)

## Temperature sensors: * Up to 13 temperature sensors can be connected to CHPC to control all processes that you want. * Only 1 sensor needed for "Thermostat" or "Heat Pump capillary/TXV" * 3 sensors needed for "HP with EEV" (absolute minimum scheme)

## Temperature sensors installation example (medium scheme) ![medium scheme](./HeatPump_t_sensors_med.png) ## Get your own CHPC: * download PCB gerber files * search google [where to order PCB](https://www.google.com/search?q=order+pcb) or make your own at CNC machine * order electronic components, see BOM (Bill Of Materials) list * solder * install firmware * install CHPC at your system * enjoy ## T sensors abbreviations: This abbrevations used in interface during installation procedure | Abbr. | Full name | | ----- | -------------------- | | Tae | after evaporator | | Tbe | before evaporator | | Ttarget | target | | Tsump | sump | | Tci | cold in | | Tco | cold out | | Thi | hot in | | Tho | hot out | | Tbc | before condenser | | Tac | after condenser | | Touter | outer (outdoor) | | Ts1 | additional sensor1 | | Ts2 | additional sensor2 |