what temp controller to get

[Lunchbucket]

looking for a cheap temp controller. one that will alow my heater to turn on so it won't get below a certain temp, and also it must be able to turn my fans on when it hits a certain temp.

what one to get for little $$'s. any body have a used one?

later
Lunchbucket

 

[bowfront]

Hi, I'm using a Medusa to do just that but they aren't cheap. I think I paid $150 a while back and that was on a special deal. Anyway they work well if you could find a used one on ebay or somewhere. I thought I remembered someone mentioning that radio shack has the guts for a DIY but I couldn't find the thread on a quick search. I'm sure there must be a cheaper way to rig one but I'm not much of an electrical engineer.

 

[-JB]

I'm using a Medusa too. It works great. The only thing I would say that it doesn't do, is allow you to set a differential on the temp. Meaning with the Medusa if you set the temp at 79 it will turn of the heater or chiller if the temp varies by 1 degree. The other controller, I believe the ranco, I think allows you to set a spread, meaning you can have the heater/chiller come on if the temp varies from say 3 degrees from the set point. That said I do think the medusa is an excellent controller, well made and made specifically for the aquarium trade. The others are made to control the thermostat for larger industrial cooling and heating systems.

 

[mgk65]

I went through the same thing.

See this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22266&highlight=temp+controller


mgk

 

[Lunchbucket]

anyone have a diy plan??

later
Lunchbucket

 

[Lunchbucket]

mgk65 what did you end up doing??

i am kind of lost on this whole thing. anyone have any diy site w/ this on it. i kind of need a step by step thing. i need to learn more about it before i will understand.

later
Lunchbucket

 

[mgk65]

I bought the two stage Ranco Controller, ETC-211000.

It is really not that complicated. You do have to do the wiring for the unit, but that is really not that big a deal.

The idea is to wire up an outlet to each side of the controller. I bought an outlet box at Lowes and two outlets. I wired these to the controller using wire that I had around, I think it was 12/2 wiring for construction. The controller has a wiring diagram.

The probe has to be waterproofed with silicone.

It then has to be programmed for the temp for the heating side and the temp for the cooling side.

I am getting ready to place mine in service this week.

mgk

 

[GKL]

I'm getting a Ranco ETC-211000, it's a dual controller as you specified. You are looking at over $100.00 retail.

 

[Tanger]

I also have the Medusa and have had no problems yet. The only problem is the annoying alarm that sounds when the temp varies +-3 degrees. Nice unit anyway.

 

[fishfarmer]

I have a portable thermostat which controls a window A/C in case the air temp rises over 85 degrees. It worked pretty well during the last half of the summer. It would probably work for fans and a rise in temp. It is a bulky unit that is about the size of a large timer. It has a long cord so it could be mounted away from the device. They are sold through www.northerntool.com and are $40.

I would think your heater would turn on automatically at the drop in temp or am I missing something here.