Check your Ranco controllers

[marco67]

I just came across another failing Ranco controller yesterday.

This is the second one I've seen recently with the same problem, they seem to reset randomly after a power surge or brief outage. The one I found yesterday was set at 96 with a differential of 6. Tank temp was at 87+ and would have gone to 102.

One solution that seems to work well is to put it on a UPS/ surge protector.

This is a popular controller and is sold under other names (private label) by chiller manufactures etc...
Here's a pic ...if you have one check it!

 

[pvh]

One way people can do for a backup is use a heater which you can set the temperature a bit higher than what you would normally set it at. For example set the controller at 78 and set the heater setting at 80. This way if the controller fail the heater will prevent the temperature to go above 80. Or you can do in my case where I use 3 levels of backup, 2 controllers and a heater setting.

 

[marco67]

Good idea,
Unfortunately it sorta defeats the purpose of using the controller. (it's nice to be able to use the Titanium tubes only) Especially where 2 and 3x500w+ heater is required.
But .....safety first

 

[pvh]

I think are still using the feature of the controller. Just that if the controller fail to keep the temperature at 78 then the heater setting will shut off at 80.

 

[marco67]

Yes you're right there,
What I meant is other options for large systems ...like hot water loop or "zone" heating or larger Titanium tubes that do not come with controllers.

 

[Jim Tansey]

Marc,

At your suggestion I purchased Ranco controller and up to now thought it was one of the best bits of advice I've received. I'm surprised your finding problems mine was flawless.

Jim

 

[marco67]

I'm surprised too Jim,
Lets hope yours continues to be flawless.
I don't know if I'd stop using them as yet but it is something to keep an eye on. In fairness it is only 2 out of probably 50+ that I've either sold or installed.
All in all still probably one of the best quality / value pieces of equipment out there.

 

[chew*]

I'm guessing there is some type of battery to "store" your presets, It would be a safe guess that if it can no longer "store" your presets that the battery has expired. This is a similar case with computer bios's and the 3.3v battery that supplies juice to "store" the settings.

After posting this I pulled mine apart, apparently it has an E prom with flash memory. These are easily corrupted with spikes in power and outages. I might add that not many surge protectors that people use actually protect devices.

 

[Aquaman_68]

I'm guessing there is some type of battery to "store" your presets, It would be a safe guess that if it can no longer "store" your presets that the battery has expired. This is a similar case with computer bios's and the 3.3v battery that supplies juice to "store" the settings.

After posting this I pulled mine apart, apparently it has an E prom with flash memory. These are easily corrupted with spikes in power and outages. I might add that not many surge protectors that people use actually protect devices.

cause people don't want to pay the scratch for a good one!!

How bout being redundant here....have two single controllers.... one for heat one for chiller....(if you got a chiller this will work best!!!) They may work against eachother if one fails but it's better than roasting a tank or making a cold water species tank!!!

 

[marco67]

Bri,
Not sure I follow your point. (aside from redundancy is a good thing)
I'm sure no one is installing these as a cheap solution (they're not)

Also FWIW both that have failed were the 2 stage being used only for heat (cooling stage left for future cooling fan etc)

 

[cakemanPA]

cause people don't want to pay the scratch for a good one!!

How bout being redundant here....have two single controllers.... one for heat one for chiller....(if you got a chiller this will work best!!!) They may work against eachother if one fails but it's better than roasting a tank or making a cold water species tank!!!

Funny that you should mention this. I have my 1/2hp chiller on a single stage. I am not sure that I will ever need to put a heater in my tank. My lights seem to keep the heat up in the tank quite nicely. But I was considering adding a 2nd single stage with a heater or 2 to prevent any issues with things ever getting too cold. Hmmmmmm... I need to ponder on this one some more.

 

[chew*]

Bri,
Not sure I follow your point. I'm sure no one is installing these as a cheap solution (they're not)

Also FWIW both that have failed were the 2 stage being used only for heat (cooling stage left for future cooling fan etc)

I think brian was supporting my statement about people using cheap surge protectors to protect the equipment. Most don't know that a rather cheap surge protector will not protect your equipment. It's not the devices fault if it gets surged, contact your local electric co, i'm sure they will be happy to keep you on hold, till they are willing to pay for dmg's I'll keep mine on a quality surge protector.

I personally use an industrial grade surge protector made by belkin, It offers a $50k insurance on anything that is damaged by its failure. That storm that passed last month blew out mine and my buddies power, he uses the same surge protector, It actually blew a type of fusable link before the protection circuit and needed replacing, the equipment however never saw the surge

 

[Aquaman_68]

Bri,
Not sure I follow your point. (aside from redundancy is a good thing)
I'm sure no one is installing these as a cheap solution (they're not)

Also FWIW both that have failed were the 2 stage being used only for heat (cooling stage left for future cooling fan etc)

Part of my statement was to Chew the other was to you. Redundancy...Hmmmmmm it's a good thing in this hobby to have.....

I used the term out of context.... I should have said a good failsafe option...Single stage controllers for ea device. (heat & chiller) That way if one fails the other (which hasn't failed) will compensate for the unit that has failed...Not a long term solution....just an emergency failsafe till you get home from work or get to the tank at the normal time of day....etc


You've had problems with the dual stage lately.... (4 years of use) which would actually make me wonder if there will be issues with single stage devices eventually....(you know maybe...6 7 8 years in use.....)


Just something to think I bought a rancho dual stage controller to put on the shelf in case my octopus 3000 controller was ever to go out...(would give me a quick fix in a pinch if the controller had to be sent out for service.) Which I had to do way back over 5 years ago....(due to a spike...) The spike wiped out the software in the controller & it had to be reprogramed by the factory...(I was without the controller for about 10 days & I felt in the dark without it...That is where I came up with the quote "too many gadgets to fail"..) After that issue....I installed a huge apc surge strip when I got my controller back. It is rated for over 3000 joules (& a 70,000 lifetime connected equipment guarentee)


So back to the subject at hand.....Thanks for the thread, Marc...Sorry to hijack it.....I think I'm gonna get a couple single stage controllers & put them online as backups.... (thanks for helping me spend more money for peace of mind!!!) JK....

B

 

[Greg Hiller]

>One way people can do for a backup is use a heater which you can set the temperature a bit higher than what you would normally set it at. For example set the controller at 78 and set the heater setting at 80. <

This is the way I run all my heaters.

 

[itz216]

Back up, line conditioner and Surge Protection

I don't have anywhere near the money some here have invested in corals and fish ...still I run my 55G on a back-ups, line conditioner and surge protection unit! IMO, well worth the investment.

Alarm sounds during brown out / power outage, without ever passing along the power loss or dip and surge - and the unit can feed powerheads and heaters for hours ( depending on models).

Sure is nice ...mid-winter, when you see ice building up on the trees and power lines ; )

Local (Kingston, RI) company makes a wide variety of products that I've used for many years to protect my computers and tank.

Apologies for hijacking thread with opinion.

 

[Aquaman_68]

I don't have anywhere near the money some here have invested in corals and fish ...still I run my 55G on a back-ups, line conditioner and surge protection unit! IMO, well worth the investment.

Alarm sounds during brown out / power outage, without ever passing along the power loss or dip and surge - and the unit can feed powerheads and heaters for hours ( depending on models).

Sure is nice ...mid-winter, when you see ice building up on the trees and power lines ; )

Local (Kingston, RI) company makes a wide variety of products that I've used for many years to protect my computers and tank.

Apologies for hijacking thread with opinion.

APC?

 

[focus]

Glad you brought this up, the Ranco was fine but my heater was dead luckily in the off position.