Question about Ranco controler.

[TomD]

I am getting a Ranco single stage controller off a BRS member Friday that I am going to use for my heater.

I use a Stealth 200w in my 90. I know that seems small but it always stays at 78-80 with the pumps, MH etc.

Now, how do I set the temp? Do I leave it set on the heater and set it on the controller or do I need to buy a new heater also? If so, Finnex are ok?

Just so I understand, the controller is protecting the heater from not frying the tank should it malfunction?

 

[JD46]

I set the temperature on my heaters to be slightly higher than that of the controller (ie controller set for 79 deg and heaters set at 82 deg). That way, they will always turn on when the controller supplies power. But, if something goofy happened with the controller, they would shut off by themselves.

JD

 

[TomD]

I would think it would be the reverse?

 

[Jim Tansey]

Tom by setting the heater to a higher temperature than the controller the heater will come on when the ranco supplies the power to it, keep in mind the setpoint on the heater is the point it turns OFF.

Jim

 

[TomD]

Ok, I understand thanks.

So basically with a controller the only thing that can go wrong would be the heater not working at all if it malfunctioned? The controller willl not allow the heater to fry the tank should it stay stuck on correct?

What about the titanium tubes like Finnex? If you buy it without a controller, you just set the Ranco? I am not planning to switch yet because everything has been stable so I am happy with it.

 

[JD46]

The benefit of using a controller is that you do not need a seperate controller for every heater. I am using one of the Finnex 300W heater tubes plugged directly into my controller.

I am also using 2 ProHeat heaters with dial controllers (notoriously bad reputation for cooking tanks if you use them by themselves). I had purchased these before getting the Ranco. So, I just set the dial temp a little high and let the Ranco turn them on and off.

JD

 

[Jim Tansey]

If you use for example a Titanium heater without a controller of its own the Ranco with its temperature sensor and controller will be in complete control of the heater power by turning the AC power outlet to the heater on or off. If you use a heater with its own controller it must be set higher than the Ranco's temperature setpoint in order for the Ranco to be the one controlling the heater. Setting the heaters control to say 85 degrees provides additional safety if the Ranco were to malfunction and lock on the heater would still turn off at its 85 degree setpoint.

Jim

 

[TomD]

Thanks Jim, that makes more sense to me now. So really the Ranco can fail as well it just gives me double protection to make it more unlikely.

Heater malfunction is a fear of mine in the hobby. I feel like I would never be able to replace some of the corals I have.