Sauna Controls & Controllers

Choose from 3 Sauna Control Options ...

#1 DEC - Digital Electronic Control - very popular sauna heater control - chosen by 95% of heater buyers.
#2 OMC - Mechanical Control - mechanical sauna control - with mechanical ticking timer.
#3 BIC --- Built-in Control mounted on the heater - uses the same mechanical controls as #2 OMC


#1 DEC Control Digital Electronic Control For Indoor Saunas No Ticking Sound Very Accurate!	#2 OMC Control Mechanical Wall Control Best for Outdoor Saunas Mechanical Timer Ticks	#3 BIC Control on Heater Built-in Control on Heater Best for Outdoor Saunas Mechanical Timer Ticks	FREE - Just Call! Get Free Plans! Order the Sauna Book Now Read More >> Sauna Book

Digital, Electronic & Mechanical Sauna Heater Controls & Parts

Priced at $398 as a replacement, the #1 DEC Digital Electronic Sauna Control is our most popular sauna control. Mechanical sauna controls are still used to replace some older style sauna controls (from 1970-1999). Our DEC sauna controls fit virtually all sauna heaters. The most popular heater is the 6 Kw heater that draws 25 amps and uses a 30 amp breaker 240-volt. The purpose of the sauna controller is to regulate the dry heat according to the thermostat setting within the allowed time determined by the 60-minute timer.

The 110 volt sauna light - should be on its own switch on a separate 110 volt circuit. The light switch should be a dimmer so the sauna lighting can be adjusted to be subdued.

The wiring for a 6 Kw sauna heater (#10/2), is installed from the breaker panel to the sauna control located beside the sauna door on the outside of the sauna wall. From the sauna control, the wire is run to the sauna heater. The exposed wire inside the sauna room will be encased in seal-tite flex conduit to give it mechanical and vapor protection. No neutral is needed, no GFCI is ever used.

The use of a larger 3-gang junction box is essential for easier installation.

Tag Names: Mercuri Control, TKE, TKE 2-2 Controller, OWC, OMC Mechanical Control Thermostat

Sauna Heater Controls Available ...


Sauna Control - #1 DEC - Digital Electronic Control $398 Our most popular Saunacore electronic control provides a number of extra features. The DEC electronic thermostat maintains the sauna temperature extremely accurately, within +/- 3 degrees. The electronic timer has no ticking sound. The DEC sauna control is also ideal whenever the control is more than 7' or 8' away from the heater. It can also be located up to 100' away from the sauna heater. A special size junction box is supplied when the DEC Control is sold as part of a sauna heater package or in a sauna kit. #1 DEC - Digital Electronic Control - Sold Separately as a Service Part ... $398. Larger Junction Box for Mounting the #1 DEC - Required ... ... ... ... ..... .... $19.
Sauna Control - #2 OMC - Outside Mechanical Control $438 A low cost sauna control. This mechanical sauna control will be located on a wall outside the sauna at a convenient level about 4.5' up from the floor. This control eliminates going into the sauna and bending over each time to turn the sauna on, off or adjusting the controls. The thermostat has a 8' capillary to connect the heat sensor (located in the sauna room) to the thermostat control. The OMC sauna control must, therefore, be located within 6' or 7' of the heater. A 3-gang masonry junction box is essential for easier installation of the wires to the controls. We normally supply it ($19). The #2 OMC Control allows the sauna temperature to fluctuate up to 15 degrees. The timer makes an small ticking sound. Some sauna users consider that bothersome. Warranty on this service part is 90 days. Read details below ... #2 OMC - Outside Mechanical Control - Sold Separately as a Service Part ... $438. Larger Junction Box for Mounting the #2 OMC - Required & Included .... ...... ... $0.
Sauna Control - #3 BIC - Built-in Control The BIC Control is mounted on the bottom of the sauna heater at the factory. Some sauna buyers prefer the built-in controls (thermostat & 60 minute timer) for their ease of wiring as the 240 volt wiring goes directly to the heater. The heater must be ordered with this control installed at the factory. Read details ... #3 BIC - Built-in Control - Available as service parts, same as a #2 OMC Control. Available in Parts as Below. Sauna Control Replacement Parts - mechanical parts are available for service replacement for all sauna heaters ... Thermostat Assembly, includes temp. probe ... $149. Timer for 60-minutes, 2-pole, rated 28 amps ... $179. Contactors, 40 and 50 Amps are available ... .... $120 to $179 por Knob, for Thermostat ... ... ... ... ... ... $29. Knob, for Timer ... .... .... .... .... .... ..... $29. Pilot Light Indicator, Round ..... .... .. $29. Face Plate, for OWC Control ... .... .... $39.
Sauna Control - #1 DEC - Homecraft Digital Electronic Control $398 Our most popular Homecraft electronic control provides a number of extra features. The DEC electronic thermostat maintains the sauna temperature extremely accurately, within +/- 3 degrees. The electronic timer has no ticking sound. The DEC sauna control is also ideal whenever the control is more than 7' or 8' away from the heater. It can also be located up to 100' away from the sauna heater. The Homecraft DEC Control fits all Homecraft heaters from 4 Kw to 9 Kw. Homecraft heaters 12 and 15 Kw include built-in relays for the higher amperage. #1 DEC - Homecraft Digital Electronic Control - Sold Separately, for 4 Kw to 9 Kw ... $398.

1. Sauna Control - #1 DEC - Digital Electronic Control ...

The #1 Digital Electronic Control (Saunacore Mercuri Control) is our most popular sauna control. It provides a number of features not available with the #2 OMC Mechanical Controls. The DEC electronic thermostat maintains the sauna temperature extremely accurately, within +/-3 degrees. The electronic timer is silent - like your microwave. The DEC control eliminates the ticking sound of mechanical timers found in the OMC. The DEC sauna control can be located up to 100' away from the sauna heater by extending the connection wiring.

Mounts in a 3-gang masonry junction box in sauna wall outside the sauna at face level
Features electronic temperature readout and silent timer control.
Electronic thermostat accurately maintains sauna temperature +/-3 degrees.
Features LED display.
Includes a 8' sensor wire (can be extended to 100').
Available as an upgrade option when ordered with a heater or a sauna kit.
The special masonry junction box is FREE when ordered with a heater or sauna kit.

Here are the instructions for changing from Celsius to Fahrenheit on the Saunacore DEC for the website:

When the DEC control is in stand-by mode, press and hold the time down adjustment arrow and the temperature down adjustment arrow for ten seconds. The LED beside the temperature display will change to the desired setting.

2. Sauna Control - #2 OMC - Outside Mechanical Control ...

The #2 Outside Mechanical Control is a traditional mechanical sauna control. The OMC sauna control will be located in a wall outside the sauna at a convenient face level. This thermostat has a 8' or 10' capillary to connect the heat sensor (located inside the sauna) to the thermostat control. The outside sauna control must, therefore, be located within 6' or 7' of the heater. A 3-gang masonry junction box will be needed to install the Outside Mechanical Control.

Mounts in a 3-gang masonry junction box in sauna wall outside the sauna at face level (your electrician will supply it).
Includes mechanical sauna thermostat with 8' or 10' capillary tube.
Includes mechanical 60 minute timer, it ticks a little
Includes pilot light.
Masonry junction box is not supplied; it is available for $19 (a regular 3-gang switch box is too small)
Sold Separately - price as above

3. Sauna Control - BIC - Built-in Control on the Heater ...

The BIC Built-in Sauna Control has the mechanical thermostat and 60 minute ticking timer mounted right on the sauna heater. Many sauna buyers prefer the built-in controls for its ease of wiring as a replacement heater. However some sauna users find the ticking timer a distraction to the sauna process.

The features are the same as the OWC Outside Wall Control only the mechanical controls are located at the bottom of the heater on this model.
Sauna heater sizes 7.5 Kw to 10.5 Kw require an electrical contactor (or relay). This part is supplied with each Saunacore sauna heater.
The contactor must be located outside the heater and nearby.

Technical Support Information - Electric Sauna Heaters ...

More Info: Sauna Controls for Electric Sauna Heaters
More Info: Installation of Sauna Heaters
More Info: Electrical Wiring Specs for Sauna Heaters

Sauna Heater Rough-in Information...
1. Small Sauna Heater Sizes 2 Kw to 6 Kw: Our 240-volt sauna heaters are wired in 2 ways based on the electrical size of the sauna heater. Sauna heater sizes 2 Kw to 6 Kw use the same controls. The supply wiring is installed to connect the electrical supply panel directly to the sauna control if the optional OWC or DEC controls are purchased. If the heater has built-in controls, the wire will run directly to the sauna heater. Use AWG #10/2 wire for sauna heater sizes 5 Kw, 4 Kw and 3 Kw. Use AWG #8/2 for the 6 Kw heater. A 3 gang masonry junction box will be needed to install the Outside Wall Control. A normal 3 gang switch box does not have enough room to bend the #10 or #8 wires. Using the masonry box will simplify the electrical installation.

2. Large Sauna Heater Sizes 7.5 Kw to 9 Kw: Large sauna heater models over 6 Kw or over 25 amps use a magnetic contactor (or coil) to control the electrical load. The wiring (usually #8 AWG) from the breaker panel runs to the magnetic contactor and not to the control. The magnetic contactor in turn supplies power to the sauna heater. In this event, the sauna controls are wired (as a control circuit) to regulate the magnetic contactor using AWG #14 with 6 conductors. Just use 3 runs of #14/2. The high-limit control on the heater must be wired back to the sauna control in the event it trips and breaks the entire circuit. It is a requirement that a licensed electrician is required to install the sauna wiring and sauna connections. Sauna Tip: All sauna heaters 7.5 Kw or larger that have built-in controls on the sauna heater, will make a audible "click" every time the heater starts or stops. This clicking can be eliminated with the purchase of the optional DEC or OWC controls. In that event, the magnetic contactor is not inside the sauna and you will not hear it click.

Sauna Control or Sauna Control Panel ...

The sauna control panel regulates the temperature of the dry heat according to the thermostat setting within the allowed time determined by the 60-minute timer. Maximum thermostat setting is 194 F degrees or 90 degrees C as required by the electrical code. Some sauna controls are line voltage (110 volt or 240 volt) and some are low voltage (ie. 24 volt).

Sauna Controllers ...

Sauna controllers regulate the dry heat according to the thermostat setting within the allowed time determined by the 60-minute timer. Maximum thermostat setting is 194 F degrees or 90 C according to the electrical code.

Sauna Contactor ...

A sauna contactor is used when the heater size is larger than 6 Kw or 25 amps. Most sauna control panels are not rated to carry a heavier amperage load than 30 amps. Using a sauna contactor (or relay) allows the sauna control to operate on a no-load control circuit and not the line amperage load of the sauna heater.

Sauna Control Thermostat ...

The sauna control thermostat regulates the temperature of the dry heat using the thermostat. Maximum thermostat setting is 194 F degrees or 90 C according to the electrical code.

Sauna Control Electric ...

An electric sauna control is required to be used with all electric sauna heaters and stoves to regulate the temperature of the dry heat according to the thermostat setting.

Sauna Contactor ...

A sauna contactor is used when the heater size is larger than 6 Kw or 25 amps. Most sauna control panels are not rated to carry a heavier amperage load than 30 amps. Using a sauna contactor (or relay) removes the line amperage load from the sauna control.

Sauna Control Saunacore ...

Home Saunas Since 1974 supplies Saunacore sauna controls to all of Canada and the USA. Saunacore controls are 110 volt and 240 volt line-voltage controls.

Sauna Control Homecraft ...

Home Saunas Since 1974 supplies Homecraft sauna controls to all of Canada and the USA.

Sauna Control Canada ...

Home Saunas Since 1974 supplies sauna controls to all of Canada.

Sauna Contactor ...

A sauna contactor is used when the heater size is larger than 6 Kw or 25 amps. Most sauna control panels are not rated to carry a heavier amperage load than 30 amps. Using a sauna contactor (or relay) removes the line amperage load from the sauna control.

Sauna GFCI...

A sauna should never have a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) in the sauna circuit. It is not required by the NEC Electrical Code. The GFCI will trip off whenever the sauna is in use and water is added to the hot rocks.

Saunacore Mercuri Digital Control ...

The Saunacore Mercuri digital control is identical to #1 DEC Digital Electronic Sauna Control as supplied by Home Saunas Since 1974.

Saunacore Mechanical Control ...

The Saunacore mechanical control can be used to replace most older and failing mechanical thermostats. Refer to the #2 OWC Outside Wall Control (Mechanical). as supplied by Home Saunas Since 1974. All sauna heaters from the 1970-2000 era used mechanical thermostats.

Sauna heater customers should order the DEC digital control:

- it is much more accurate +/- 3 degrees
- full 1 year warranty
- silent timer like a micro-wave
- customers should avoid using the Aux 110 volt circuit for their lights. It is better to use a dimmer style control for the light switch
- a mounting bracket is not needed for the 1" long heat sensor

OWC Mechanical Control

- mechanical style is not accurate - allows +/- 12 degrees
- 60 day warranty - made in Mexico
- timer ticks like a kitchen timer
- the heat sensor needs a mounting bracket