My thermostat lies to me!

[Lionel Mandrake]

My thermostat doesn't tell me what the temperature is. It tells me what it thinks I want to hear. It's little brain (microprocessor, computer chip) is trying to outsmart me.

Say I set it to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the actual temperature is between 69 and 71, the lying little bastard will tell me that it is 70.

If the actual temperature is below 69 or above 71, then the little fucker will tell the truth.

Why was it designed this way? Does the manufacturer think I will be happier if I don't know that the actual temperature oscillates about the set point?

Grrrr!

[LynzM]

1. Machines that lie:

Eddie Izzard :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmkDmn_OETk

Weird that it behaves like that. How do you know that's what it's doing?

[Lionel Mandrake]

2. How do I know?

I experimented with it. It gives a consistent reading as long as the set point is far away from the actual temperature. Otherwise it says that the actual temperature is equal to the set point.

[LynzM]

7. Just curious :)

That's pretty strange.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Lionel Mandrake!

Oh, yes, my thermostats lie to me too, the little fuckers!

It is such a pain...

I guess I just have to show it that I'm onto its tricks...;-)


Good luck!

[Lionel Mandrake]

13. The trick is to set the temperature real high or real low,

take a reading of the actual temp., and then move the set point to where you really want it.

[DeepBlueC]

4. margin of error

[Lionel Mandrake]

9. It's funny how the margin of error depends on the set point. n/t

[DeepBlueC]

10. it's not funny at all; it's logical as far as I can see

:shrug:

[Lionel Mandrake]

12. So the actual temp. depends on what I want it to be?

[amitten]

5. "Technological advance" that doesn't work--big surprise.

My ancient thermostat (the kind with a dial) that was from like the 1950's was very sensitive and totally accurate with keeping the temperature.

My fancy new digital thermostat is always off by about 2 degrees.

[Lionel Mandrake]

11. Yep. The old ones were better.

And they never lied to you.

[CreekDog]

6. Doesn't lying require intent?

:evilgrin:

[Lionel Mandrake]

8. Lots of machines have evil intent.

The voices tell me this. :mad:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. My Dear Lionel Mandrake!

I can't believe the thermostats don't work right! I mean, your house is architect designed!

My house doesn't even have a thermostat.

[edbermac]

15. Now why don't you just take it easy, Group Captain.

And please make me a drink of grain alcohol and rainwater, and help yourself to whatever you'd like.

[Lionel Mandrake]

16. Sorry Jack, we're out of rainwater.

All we have is extra-super-fluoridated water. Will that be okay?