heater question

[jhale]

I have a few of the cheaper titanium heaters with controllers that have craped out. I was going to throw them away and realized I could cut the cords to the heating elements and plug them into a ranco controller.

I have 2 x 250 watt heaters, would there be a problem in hooking both heaters up to one ranco controller?

 

[masterswimmer]

I have a few of the cheaper titanium heaters with controllers that have craped out. I was going to throw them away and realized I could cut the cords to the heating elements and plug them into a ranco controller.

I have 2 x 250 watt heaters, would there be a problem in hooking both heaters up to one ranco controller?

It depends which Ranco you have. There are single and double models.

swimmer

 

[jhale]

the one i'm using is a single module

 

[masterswimmer]

the one i'm using is a single module

Without looking over an actual unit, I'd say they have maximum ratings due to wire size, fuses, and just overall capacity.

 

[jhale]

I'll look at the back of the unit and see what it says. It should be able to handle 500 watts, I was planning on getting an 800 watt heater for use with the ranco, so I hope it works.

 

[masterswimmer]

Jon, I think we need to have someone with electrical experience chime in here. I'm not sure if fluctuating voltage draw will have a negative effect on the Ranco. With two heaters plugged into it, I'm assuming you'll be setting one as a 'fail safe'. If for some reason both cycle on/off at different times but occasionally overlap and cycle simultaneously it's possible that could be an issue. I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, but just a thought.

R

edit: Now that I think about it......you couldn't have a fail safe. The two would HAVE to cycle simultaneously. A single Ranco controller can only set one temp :duh:

 

[bad coffee]

if it looks like this, you're probably okay. It's rated for 16 amps. Which is about 1800 watts. Your 500 watts is okay.

You can wire your temp controller to a plug, and plug whatever you want into it. Just use a cube tap and plug both heaters into it. No need to chop the ends off.

B

 

[cali_reef]

I could cut the cords to the heating elements and plug them into a ranco controller.

Don't cut the cord, you should be able to by pass the built in controller by opening up it's case.

I use three 500W heaters on a single Ranco, no problem for it to handle the load at all.

 

[jhale]

alright I'll open up the case and start cutting wires, lol.

I'll post a pic if i need help.

Russ: I was going to use the two heaters together, ie. coming on at the same time.