What method is recommended for a wifi-controlled ice circulator?

MRJS · 07-06-2025, 09:47 PM

After coming home with guests on a beautiful summer day they asked about our first year with an ice circulator. It went very well using a timer, however:

1. When it was super cold we could have run it for more hours

2. When it was warm we could have run it less or not all

So, my question is, does anybody control their ice circulator with a wifi instead of a timer? What method is best?

I understand Home Depot and Lowes have wifi outlets. Trouble is, the post is fairly far from the router and maybe it's just not robust enough for being lakeside all winter.

Any suggestions would be great, thank you!

feb · 07-07-2025, 07:48 AM

I've used on of these for a few years with great success and reliability.

https://www.kasasmart.com/us/product...oor-plug-ep40a

4 for Boating · 07-07-2025, 07:50 AM

I've been using this for a few years now for our circulator with no issues. Wifi control and also the ability to setup schedules that can be turned on and off as the ice conditions change. Lot's of options in this space.

Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug, Home WiFi Outlet with 2 Sockets for Lights, Timer Function & Energy Monitoring, Works with Alexa & Google Home, Wireless Remote Control, ETL Listed, 1PACK. $25

DRH · 07-07-2025, 09:33 AM

For the many years we were at the lake we used both a timer and a thermostat to control our dock circulator in the winter. The timer controlled the power going to the dock (our timer was located inside the house), and at the dock we used a thermostat that would only turn the circulator on when both 1) the timer was feeding electrical power to the dock and 2) the air temperature at the dock was below the setpoint on the thermostat. To protect the thermostat from the elements, I used an overturned plastic bucket with a rock on top.

That setup worked well and eliminated wasting electricity when the air temperature was above 32 degs F (our thermostat's setpoint).

(Actually, the timer isn't really necessary when a thermostat is used ... we used both for additional control over power usage.)

Here's one such thermostat currently available at Amazon. It's temperature range is -58F to +230F:

Biggd · 07-07-2025, 11:57 AM

I don't find Wifi any more reliable than electricity. It's all great when it's working but gives you great stress when it isn't. Sometimes it goes out even when the electricity is on.
I'm in an area where we lose power often. I really should have a generator, but I don't live here year-round and I'm only 1 1/2 hours away.

07-06-2025, 09:47 PM	#1
MRJS Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 92 Thanks: 75 Thanked 18 Times in 9 Posts	What method is recommended for a wifi-controlled ice circulator? After coming home with guests on a beautiful summer day they asked about our first year with an ice circulator. It went very well using a timer, however: 1. When it was super cold we could have run it for more hours 2. When it was warm we could have run it less or not all So, my question is, does anybody control their ice circulator with a wifi instead of a timer? What method is best? I understand Home Depot and Lowes have wifi outlets. Trouble is, the post is fairly far from the router and maybe it's just not robust enough for being lakeside all winter. Any suggestions would be great, thank you!

07-07-2025, 07:48 AM	#2
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 215 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Kasa Smart Plug I've used on of these for a few years with great success and reliability. https://www.kasasmart.com/us/product...oor-plug-ep40a

07-07-2025, 07:50 AM	#3
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 232 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 26 Posts	Outdoor Outlet I've been using this for a few years now for our circulator with no issues. Wifi control and also the ability to setup schedules that can be turned on and off as the ice conditions change. Lot's of options in this space. Etekcity Outdoor Smart Plug, Home WiFi Outlet with 2 Sockets for Lights, Timer Function & Energy Monitoring, Works with Alexa & Google Home, Wireless Remote Control, ETL Listed, 1PACK. $25 Attached Images

07-07-2025, 09:33 AM	#4
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,692 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 677 Times in 179 Posts	Temperature Control For the many years we were at the lake we used both a timer and a thermostat to control our dock circulator in the winter. The timer controlled the power going to the dock (our timer was located inside the house), and at the dock we used a thermostat that would only turn the circulator on when both 1) the timer was feeding electrical power to the dock and 2) the air temperature at the dock was below the setpoint on the thermostat. To protect the thermostat from the elements, I used an overturned plastic bucket with a rock on top. That setup worked well and eliminated wasting electricity when the air temperature was above 32 degs F (our thermostat's setpoint). (Actually, the timer isn't really necessary when a thermostat is used ... we used both for additional control over power usage.) Here's one such thermostat currently available at Amazon. It's temperature range is -58F to +230F: Attached Images __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS][B][COLOR=blue]DRH[/COLOR][/B][/FONT]

07-07-2025, 11:57 AM	#5
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,230 Thanks: 2,290 Thanked 1,224 Times in 782 Posts	I don't find Wifi any more reliable than electricity. It's all great when it's working but gives you great stress when it isn't. Sometimes it goes out even when the electricity is on. I'm in an area where we lose power often. I really should have a generator, but I don't live here year-round and I'm only 1 1/2 hours away.