heater controller

Joe0813 · 11/01/2018, 08:47 PM

looking for a way to make these cheap heaters not overheat my QT. I do have a new apex on my DT but the tank is to far away to run an electrical cord. I do really want to spend the 250 for an apex jr just for a QT. what do you guys use to make sure your heater isn't nuking your tank?

mcgyvr · 11/02/2018, 05:00 AM

Ranco controller is commonly recommended and typically very reliable..

I use an inkbird blue (but out of transparency there is a post going on about a few people having them not be that acurate/drifting or whatever..).. Mine has been totally fine..
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Tempe...dp/B015FKG4CC/

tkeracer619 · 11/02/2018, 08:53 AM

I'd go with ranco. It doesn't come with a powercord so what I usually do is buy a power strip, cut the cord where you want the temp controller, and splice it in there. Very easy to do.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Ranco-ET...hoCLrsQAvD_BwE

I started the thread on the inkbirds drifting. I'm sure there are many out there running flawlessly but that wasn't my case and I've seen several in the beer brewing industry saying the same thing. I sent them a message that they responded to. If they end up replacing the units I'll probably give them away.

If the Ranco's temp probe fails it's replaceable for $14.

Joe0813 · 11/02/2018, 01:01 PM

Thanks guys. Is there a write up on how to wire them up with the heater

mcgyvr · 11/02/2018, 02:04 PM

Here is one way..
First I found..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrBbqm79cco
Thats for a Ranco obviously.. Inkbird already has the outlet pigtails hanging off it and you just plug in the heater to one of them and set the temps you want..

Joe0813 · 11/02/2018, 06:19 PM

pretty easy. ill probably solder and shrink tube instead of those plastic caps

ca1ore · 11/02/2018, 10:07 PM

I bought my Ranco prewired and with a shrink tube to protect the probe. Don’t recall it being all that much more than the bare Ranco. It was from rancoetc.com; probably still cheaper to DIY, but a useful option.

Joe0813 · 11/03/2018, 02:57 PM

I might get this one The Ranco ETC-141000. I guess its better for areas that have high humidity or could get wet

tkeracer619 · 11/03/2018, 04:59 PM

I've never had an issue with the standard one in humid environments. I'd stick with the standard version personally. Those nema 4x models are really designed for wash down duty, like when spraying down fermenting vessels. The standard one will survive random splashes but not getting hit with a hose.

Joe0813 · 11/04/2018, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

I've never had an issue with the standard one in humid environments. I'd stick with the standard version personally. Those nema 4x models are really designed for wash down duty, like when spraying down fermenting vessels. The standard one will survive random splashes but not getting hit with a hose.

ok ill stick with the standard one

chiefifd · 09/30/2020, 10:17 AM

I know this is an old topic, however, this actually might be helpful to me. I'm looking at the RANCO heater controller. My question is what did you use to waterproof the temperature probe?
And are you still happy with the controller, I have my heater on an Apex right now. Worrying about killing the outlet the heater is on!
Thanks.....

stylolvr · 09/30/2020, 10:42 AM

Never used one myself, but I've heard good things about Inkbird - https://www.ink-bird.com/products-te...r-itc306A.html

chiefifd · 10/01/2020, 11:12 AM

Hi stylolvr:
I'm looking at the InkBird controller, it dosen't look like it's UL aproved. Maybe it's just fine, but I prefer electrical items that are UL approved. I did send an e-mail to InkBird to verify if there controller was infact UL approved. No reply as of yet.

11/01/2018, 08:47 PM	#1
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	heater controller looking for a way to make these cheap heaters not overheat my QT. I do have a new apex on my DT but the tank is to far away to run an electrical cord. I do really want to spend the 250 for an apex jr just for a QT. what do you guys use to make sure your heater isn't nuking your tank? __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

11/02/2018, 05:00 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Ranco controller is commonly recommended and typically very reliable.. I use an inkbird blue (but out of transparency there is a post going on about a few people having them not be that acurate/drifting or whatever..).. Mine has been totally fine.. https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Tempe...dp/B015FKG4CC/ __________________ Who me?

11/02/2018, 08:53 AM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I'd go with ranco. It doesn't come with a powercord so what I usually do is buy a power strip, cut the cord where you want the temp controller, and splice it in there. Very easy to do. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Ranco-ET...hoCLrsQAvD_BwE I started the thread on the inkbirds drifting. I'm sure there are many out there running flawlessly but that wasn't my case and I've seen several in the beer brewing industry saying the same thing. I sent them a message that they responded to. If they end up replacing the units I'll probably give them away. If the Ranco's temp probe fails it's replaceable for $14. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. Last edited by tkeracer619; 11/02/2018 at 09:02 AM.

11/02/2018, 01:01 PM	#4
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	Thanks guys. Is there a write up on how to wire them up with the heater __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef Last edited by Joe0813; 11/02/2018 at 01:07 PM.

11/02/2018, 02:04 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Here is one way.. First I found.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrBbqm79cco Thats for a Ranco obviously.. Inkbird already has the outlet pigtails hanging off it and you just plug in the heater to one of them and set the temps you want.. __________________ Who me?

11/02/2018, 06:19 PM	#6
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	pretty easy. ill probably solder and shrink tube instead of those plastic caps __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

11/02/2018, 10:07 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I bought my Ranco prewired and with a shrink tube to protect the probe. Don’t recall it being all that much more than the bare Ranco. It was from rancoetc.com; probably still cheaper to DIY, but a useful option. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs Last edited by ca1ore; 11/02/2018 at 10:13 PM.

11/03/2018, 02:57 PM	#8
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	I might get this one The Ranco ETC-141000. I guess its better for areas that have high humidity or could get wet __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

11/03/2018, 04:59 PM	#9
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I've never had an issue with the standard one in humid environments. I'd stick with the standard version personally. Those nema 4x models are really designed for wash down duty, like when spraying down fermenting vessels. The standard one will survive random splashes but not getting hit with a hose. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

09/30/2020, 10:17 AM	#11
chiefifd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 312	I know this is an old topic, however, this actually might be helpful to me. I'm looking at the RANCO heater controller. My question is what did you use to waterproof the temperature probe? And are you still happy with the controller, I have my heater on an Apex right now. Worrying about killing the outlet the heater is on! Thanks.....

09/30/2020, 10:42 AM	#12
stylolvr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Longwood, FL Posts: 734	Never used one myself, but I've heard good things about Inkbird - https://www.ink-bird.com/products-te...r-itc306A.html __________________ Some call it a hobby, others an obsession. I just call it good, clean fun! Current Tank Info: Acquiring equipment for a Waterbox 20 Cube mixed reef

10/01/2020, 11:12 AM	#13
chiefifd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 312	Hi stylolvr: I'm looking at the InkBird controller, it dosen't look like it's UL aproved. Maybe it's just fine, but I prefer electrical items that are UL approved. I did send an e-mail to InkBird to verify if there controller was infact UL approved. No reply as of yet.