Motion sensored A/C

[Pumbaa_]

Someone on the resorts board posted that it is possible to override it. They had an engineer come and take the cover off. There are instructions inside apparently that show you how to turn it off. Can someone verify this? Anyone going soon?

 

[gmboy95]

OK...I am officially disturbed...I guess i will need to bring a few bobble head dolls or something to keep things moving, or perhaps i can set my sons alarm for the top of every hour, and have him take one lap around the place each time......I got a great idea how about a thread on new and unique ways to trigger the motion detector while sleeping...oh i know...now we all have a use for that stupid singing fish we all got for fathers day gifts over the years...ya know "billy bass"....I mean there is nothing like hearing a fake bass on a piece of pine wood sing "proud mary" 20 times during the night

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

gmboy, LOL about the singing fish...

Seriously though, does anyone know if these sensors are strictly motion or heat sensitive?

If they are heat sensitive then the balloons, bobble heads, and yes even the singing fish won't make a difference.

 

[Dean]

At Marriott's Grande Ocean in HH, they have had this set up for some time. When we were there last year for our first stay, it was noticed by many people and we discussed it at the owners meeting (a real one, not like at DVC but that's another thread). The explanation was similar to what's been said here that it varies between reasonable levels and that just simple motion in bed was enough to keep it under control. It certainly wasn't a problem and stayed plenty cool in the room, downright cold at times and I'm the one usually reaching to turn the temp cooler. I don't think it'll be an issue. Besides 68-72 is a more than reasonable range for AC in the summer.

 

[LisaR]

We have stayed at OKW many times and have never been uncomfortable. I have never noticed any red lights that would indicate that OKW has this system in place. Besides, wouldn't the constant movement of the ceiling fan be enough to set the sensors off? Does BCV have ceiling fans in the bedrooms?

Lisa

 

[Gillian]

One of the people complaining on the resorts board said the ceiling fan at the GF did not activate the motion sensor. She said the thermostat read 78 and the AC would not kick on. I didn't fully understand that part, because it seems to me that if you were standing in front of the unit to read it, you would trigger the motion detector. Maybe the glass door was open & they didn't know it, or the sensor on the door was broken?

They eventually pried the cover off the thermostat. Directions for the override are on the inside of it.

AKL has these sensors too & I found the temperature to be very inconsistent. But I was the only person in the room and I sleep like a rock (unless it gets too hot!) Next time I'll try the balloon

 

[Granny]

I am quite sure our rooms this summer (2 trips) were never 78 degrees when we came in. I didn't see a thermometer, but I would say they were 73-74 degrees at most....certainly not cold. But they did cool off quickly once we were in them.

I think if the room temperature is around 78 degrees, a call to maintenance is in order. That seems a lot simpler than toting helium tanks around!

 

[BIERMUGG]

They only detect movement of a heated mass like a body, they are the same principle of a home security system. aceiling fan or ballon is not going to set them off. How do I know I own a Air Conditioning and Heating company.

George

 

[ncligs]

Here is an article(Pittsburgh paper) on a company that invented this..and how it works, how much $$ it saves DVC and WDW hotels. I also posted this in another thread on the DVC Board.

http://www.post-gazette.com/businessnews/20020815remote2.asp

 

[sgtdisney]

Very interesting article, thanks for the link. I wonder if the $350 cost will be coming out of the the DVC member's pocket? I suppose it will..... Wouldn't that kind of an upgrade have to be approved in one way or another? I know they have the right and ability to refurbish the rooms on a schedule, but replacing a 40.00 thermostat with a 350.00 would be a big chunk of change considering the amount of units that OKW has. Personally, I am all for saving energy, but if it means that the room is as hard to keep comfortable as it was for me when I was there last month, I really don't like it.

Here is a link to the companies website.

http://www.energytechgroup.com/esss.htm

After reading it, it seems to be slightly different than what I found at OKW. We didn't have to put our room key in a card reader by the door to deactivate the security system or activate normal A/C operation. I did see a security button on the A/C unit however. I don't know about anyone else, but I really wouldn't like it if I had to deactivate a security system every time I entered my villa..