TECO Seachill chillers

[Len]

Anyone whose used this chiller care to comment on its performance? Clare?

 

[Anonymous]

Why, yes, I've used Teco® SeaChill chillers on more than one occasion. I use a 1/4 horsepower chiller on a 70-gallon temperate marine system to keep it at 65°F. My model has a UV sterilzier in it, and the bulb needs to be replaced at least annually, which isn't hard to do at all.

It's quiet, reliable, hasn't clogged or frozen on me, and the kilt-wearing sales folks are great.

The other Teco® SeaChill chiller I've used was a 1/3 horsepower which I ran on a 10-gallon tank to keep the margaritas cold. If it weren't for the generous ratio of alcohol to margarita mix in that tank, that chiller would have frozen the tank solid. And I mean that in a good way, really. It kept the tank at 32°F all night, even after adding refills. Ask Sanjay Joshi how cold that last swig was, if you want a true testimonial.

 

[Len]

LOL. so no reliability problems, I take it. I'm looking at the Seachills because they reportedly use a lot less electricity.

 

[Anonymous]

The key to an efficient chiller is sizing. Get the largest size you can afford for the volume of water you need chilled. The more powerful the motor, the less time it's actually running to keep the water cold. Or so it was explained to me, anyway.

 

[Len]

I'm using a 1/3hp now, and it's considered oversized for my situation. I don't have much of a choice with Seachill as 1/3hp appears to be the biggest they make. It draws 2 less amps then my chiller though.

 

[Anonymous]

How much beer are you cooling?

 

[Len]

180 gallons worth for about 10 degree drop down.

 

[leftovers]

Over sizing is NOT a good idea....RIGHT sizing based on ambient temperature and draw down per gallons is.

A chiller too large will short cycle which is far WORSE than running a chiller too small for longer periods of time.

FYI

 

[Anonymous]

Over sizing is NOT a good idea....RIGHT sizing based on ambient temperature and draw down per gallons is.

A chiller too large will short cycle which is far WORSE than running a chiller too small for longer periods of time.

FYI

If your water volume is near the top of the manufacturer's recommended range for a particular size chiller, should you stick with that one or go to the next larger size? I was told t was better to go to the next size.

 

[youareafever]

i like my teco. i got the 1/5th hp on a 65 gallon with 30 gallon sump, plus other stuff for about 100 gallon total volume. comes on alot though cuz my tank is right next to the freakin window in the hottest room in the house.

 

[leftovers]

Over sizing is NOT a good idea....RIGHT sizing based on ambient temperature and draw down per gallons is.

A chiller too large will short cycle which is far WORSE than running a chiller too small for longer periods of time.

FYI

If your water volume is near the top of the manufacturer's recommended range for a particular size chiller, should you stick with that one or go to the next larger size? I was told t was better to go to the next size.

look at the manufacturers draw down specs and the ambient temperature your chiller will be in. If you are close to maxing the draw down then going up a size is usually just fine. Too many people get these 1/3HP chillers when 1/5 will be just fine and wonder why they burn out after only a few years.

But draw down is important so if you are looking at a 1/4 or 1/3 and you need to draw down 200gl 3 deg then either a high flow effiecent 1/4 or low flow 1/3 will be just fine