Reefkeeper Lite Heaters

virtualliquid · 05/13/2013, 03:55 PM

Hello all,
I currently have a RKL setup with 2 heaters on it, both heaters are on the same output port on the PC4. I have the RKL temp set to 78.0f and each heater set to about 82f. The RKL does a great job at keeping the tank at 78.0 but when the temp is flickering between 77.9 and 78.0 the power to the heaters keeps going on and off very fast, this cant be good for the heaters involved in this viscous cycle. Is there some way to prevent this, something like the sureon feature but a sureoff feature or something? Thank you in advance.

n2585722 · 05/13/2013, 06:52 PM

Try using the controller function and set the hysteresis for .2 or .3. The ready fit heater function has it hard set for .1.

cap032 · 05/13/2013, 09:57 PM

I set mine up opposite of you. I set my heater at 79 and my Rkl at 80. This way the heaters thermostat turns the heater on and off but if the heaters thermostat fails, my Rkl will prevent overheating. I set it up the other way at first, but even with a hysterisis of .5 I could hear the PC4 outlet clicking on an off constantly. This made me think that running the heater this way may prematurely wear out the outlet on the PC4.

James77 · 05/13/2013, 10:02 PM

There is a hysteresis option, I believe it is right after when you program the temperature...it has been a couple years since I owned one. But Hysteresis will allow the temp to fluctuate that amount before triggering the heater on or off.

fishgate · 05/14/2013, 05:29 AM

Digital Aquatics recommends .1 for the hysteresis for heaters. I set my tank at 79 with .1 and it is right on the money. I use 2 ports on 1 of my PC4s for 2 heaters. Both heaters are set at around 81 so whenever the port is on, they are on. I use a middle port and an end port. Both ports can handle a heater.

virtualliquid · 05/16/2013, 07:32 PM

Thanks for info, I set it to a controller with a .1, it has stopped clicking on and off and seems to be running much better. I was not only concerned for the PC4, but the heaters are not meant to function that way and I would end up going through heaters faster than water changes.

05/13/2013, 03:55 PM	#1
virtualliquid Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 19	Reefkeeper Lite Heaters Hello all, I currently have a RKL setup with 2 heaters on it, both heaters are on the same output port on the PC4. I have the RKL temp set to 78.0f and each heater set to about 82f. The RKL does a great job at keeping the tank at 78.0 but when the temp is flickering between 77.9 and 78.0 the power to the heaters keeps going on and off very fast, this cant be good for the heaters involved in this viscous cycle. Is there some way to prevent this, something like the sureon feature but a sureoff feature or something? Thank you in advance.

05/13/2013, 09:57 PM	#3
cap032 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 611	I set mine up opposite of you. I set my heater at 79 and my Rkl at 80. This way the heaters thermostat turns the heater on and off but if the heaters thermostat fails, my Rkl will prevent overheating. I set it up the other way at first, but even with a hysterisis of .5 I could hear the PC4 outlet clicking on an off constantly. This made me think that running the heater this way may prematurely wear out the outlet on the PC4. __________________ CTI: 125g, 55g DIY sump, Sicce Syncra 3.0 return, 2x Vortech MP40, 2× Maxspect Razor 16k, RKL + w/ MLC lunar pods, Reef Octo Sro 2000int, Reef Octo AWC, Reef Dynamics BPR 135e

05/13/2013, 10:02 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	There is a hysteresis option, I believe it is right after when you program the temperature...it has been a couple years since I owned one. But Hysteresis will allow the temp to fluctuate that amount before triggering the heater on or off. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

05/14/2013, 05:29 AM	#5
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	Digital Aquatics recommends .1 for the hysteresis for heaters. I set my tank at 79 with .1 and it is right on the money. I use 2 ports on 1 of my PC4s for 2 heaters. Both heaters are set at around 81 so whenever the port is on, they are on. I use a middle port and an end port. Both ports can handle a heater. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

05/13/2013, 06:52 PM	#2
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 1,072	Try using the controller function and set the hysteresis for .2 or .3. The ready fit heater function has it hard set for .1.

05/16/2013, 07:32 PM	#6
virtualliquid Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 19	Thanks for info, I set it to a controller with a .1, it has stopped clicking on and off and seems to be running much better. I was not only concerned for the PC4, but the heaters are not meant to function that way and I would end up going through heaters faster than water changes.