Performance & Specifications

Specifications

  • Power consumption (controller):
    • 3W absolute maximum
    • 0.5W idle
    • 1.25-1.5W typical operating
  • Maximum Switched Current:
    • Fan: 15A High or Low
    • Pump: 3A
      • Most pumps draw 1A or less
      • Some swamp coolers have a second, ‘purge pump’ which increases pump current draw. These usually draw less than 1A.
  • Temperature accuracy:
    • +/- 0.75 degrees Fahrenheit maximum
    • +/- 0.5 degrees typical
  • Long term temperature drift: less than .05 degrees F / year
  • Temperature sample interval: 1 minute
  • Temperature set range: 45-95 degrees F
  • Display: TFT LCD touchscreen module, 320×240 pixels
  • Bluetooth sensor range: greater than 30 feet
  • Wifi connection: Enables automatic updating of Time of Day and software
  • Sensor battery life: expected 5+ years; observed 3+ years
  • Sensor battery type: CR2477 coin cell
  • Enclosure material: Polylactic Acid (PLA) plastic, 3D printed [moving to ABS / PETG back cover for stability at higher temperatures]
  • Warranty: 2 years parts and labor
  • Dimensions: 106mm(4.2″) tall, 91.5mm(3.6″) wide, 48.7mm(1.9″) deep
  • Input voltage: 110VAC nominal
  • Wire/terminals: 16AWG stranded & tinned

Performance

This graph shows the variation in the output air temperature, most of the time within +/- one degree. This, while the outdoor temperature increased by over 20 degrees, to a high of about 107. This level of performance can’t be expected every day. Occasional clouds and especially rain cause sharp outdoor temperature changes which, as you can see by the response to the set temperature change, can take 10 or 20 minutes to recover from.

On this day, the Roadrunner Comfort held the output air temperature within +/- one degree 94% of the time, including through a two degree set temperature change (at ~11:18 above). It did take 10-15 minutes to warm back to normal operation after the set temperature change, which is about as quick as anyone can hope for with pads already quite wet on a hot day. The pads must dry out to reduce cooling (raise the temperature), which takes a few minutes.

All 15 readings more than 1.5 degrees below the set temperature occurred immediately after the set temperature was raised two degrees. If we ignore those readings, the temperature is regulated to within +/- 1.5 degrees 99% of the time. Our other cooler, a Tradewinds, did even better, meeting that target 100% of the time.