Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda
Finding a thermostat that will work with what I've discoverd is our ass backwards condo. Old one broke and it's a mercury one, the hot water heat kicks on when the mercury isn't touching any wires and the circuit is open, and the heat stops when the mercury completes the circuit between two wires. I've tried 3 different thermostats now and they all work opposite of that, turning the heat on when the circuit is complete. The old thermostat is from some company I've never heard of and Google can't even find anything, and the condo management company has been no help either. I have no clue where to go from here
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What you're describing is called a reverse acting thermostat. They are common line voltage (120v, 240v and single phase 208v) and occasionally control voltage (24v) thermostats, and they have a basic operation.
Think of this type of thermostat "calling" for heat when the temperature is too low. Mercury is not touching anything when the heat is low, "calling" for heat. It drops out once the set point is reached and the mercury completes the circuit.
When you buy one, you'll have to know the voltage supplied to the baseboards (ones above) and specifically ask for reverse acting.
It might also be worth contacting the condo board about it, I'm assuming the hot water is common to multiple tenants.