Heater Controller Sequence

milkman55 · 11/02/2009, 07:05 PM

I just purchased a Ranco controller and two Finnex 300w heaters with digital thermostats. I have read different posts about how these are hooked up in sequence. Is it correct that the Ranco is the failsafe and set at the max temp and then each of the individual heaters are set to their own temp. In my case, I was going to set one heater at the temp I want to maintain and the second one a degree higher and then the Ranco set to shut everything off is it exceeded the failsafe temp.

Do I have this right?

mdntrdr · 11/02/2009, 07:09 PM

following along

milkman55 · 11/03/2009, 05:28 PM

Bump ....... there is at least two members looking for help on this question?

Thanks

BeanAnimal · 11/03/2009, 06:34 PM

No, the RANCO is the primary controller. You set the RANCO for the desired temperature and then set the heaters thermostats slightly above the RANCO set point.

Don't trust the dial or reading on the heaters. You MUST use a method similar to the following.

1) set the heaters internal thermostats at maximum.
2) set the RANCO to the desired set point + 4 degrees (or whatever safety margin you opt for)
3) let the tank come to within 1 degree of the temperature set above
4) while the heaters are still heating, turn their temperature dials down until they kick off. That is fail-safe set point....
5) Now set the RANCO down to the desired running temperature.

There are other methods, but the idea is to physically set the internal thermostats on the heaters and NOT rely on the markings or readout.

BeanAnimal · 11/03/2009, 06:35 PM

On a side note... if those are the finnex heaters with external controllers... return them, they are complete junk.

milkman55 · 11/03/2009, 09:42 PM

Bean -

These are the new digital models with an LED readout, not the rotary dial. I have only seen them on a couple of online stores, so I would assume they are new. Lot's of stores have the old ones with the rotary dial which I understood was not very accurate.

I know I don't want glass thermostats, so that pretty much left the Stealth or the sealed titanium with external controllers - Finnex, Won, ViaAqua, etc.

BeanAnimal · 11/03/2009, 10:11 PM

There is nothing wrong with a glass heater if it is installed properly.

Not trying to beat you up for your purchase, but I would not put anything made by Won or Finnex in my tank... I would not buy any hobby heater with an external controller either

11/02/2009, 07:05 PM	#1
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	Heater Controller Sequence I just purchased a Ranco controller and two Finnex 300w heaters with digital thermostats. I have read different posts about how these are hooked up in sequence. Is it correct that the Ranco is the failsafe and set at the max temp and then each of the individual heaters are set to their own temp. In my case, I was going to set one heater at the temp I want to maintain and the second one a degree higher and then the Ranco set to shut everything off is it exceeded the failsafe temp. Do I have this right?

11/02/2009, 07:09 PM	#2
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	following along

11/03/2009, 05:28 PM	#3
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	Bump ....... there is at least two members looking for help on this question? Thanks

11/03/2009, 06:34 PM	#4
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	No, the RANCO is the primary controller. You set the RANCO for the desired temperature and then set the heaters thermostats slightly above the RANCO set point. Don't trust the dial or reading on the heaters. You MUST use a method similar to the following. 1) set the heaters internal thermostats at maximum. 2) set the RANCO to the desired set point + 4 degrees (or whatever safety margin you opt for) 3) let the tank come to within 1 degree of the temperature set above 4) while the heaters are still heating, turn their temperature dials down until they kick off. That is fail-safe set point.... 5) Now set the RANCO down to the desired running temperature. There are other methods, but the idea is to physically set the internal thermostats on the heaters and NOT rely on the markings or readout.

11/03/2009, 06:35 PM	#5
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	On a side note... if those are the finnex heaters with external controllers... return them, they are complete junk.

11/03/2009, 09:42 PM	#6
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	Bean - These are the new digital models with an LED readout, not the rotary dial. I have only seen them on a couple of online stores, so I would assume they are new. Lot's of stores have the old ones with the rotary dial which I understood was not very accurate. I know I don't want glass thermostats, so that pretty much left the Stealth or the sealed titanium with external controllers - Finnex, Won, ViaAqua, etc.

11/03/2009, 10:11 PM	#7
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	There is nothing wrong with a glass heater if it is installed properly. Not trying to beat you up for your purchase, but I would not put anything made by Won or Finnex in my tank... I would not buy any hobby heater with an external controller either