Controller help, I need help setting up a temp controller

[jason the filter freak]

I bought one a while back I belive from ErikS But I could be way wrong, it's not important. I have no idea how to use it, but I took a measure today after the lights and tank had been on for 14 hours and I'm reading 84.3 on the end of the tank oppsite the heater, I'm going to put a new heater in anyway with the comming winter, but I just need to know how to set up my controller, It's got a probe and all of 3 buttons. If pics are needed I can post. It's a ETC by Ranco

[Rascal]

Jason:

 

Here's a link to the programming instructions: http://www.umii.net/support2.html#anchor327324.

 

If that doesn't work let me know and I'll just cut and past the directions.

 

Is yours pre-wired, or do you need the wiring instructions, too? I had one that was and one that wasn't (and I thought I was just getting a better deal). I would have to hunt for them a bit, but I can find them if you need.

[jason the filter freak]

Thanks for the temp controller directions!

[jason the filter freak]

what is a differential?

 

Press SET key again to access the differential. The LCD will display the current differential and DIF1 annunciator will be blinking on and off to indicate that the controls in the differential mode. Then press either the up key to increase or the down key to decrease the differential to the desired setting.

[Rascal]

The differential is how many degrees above and below your set point the controller will actually turn off and on.

 

Example: Your set point is 80 and your differential is 3. Your controller is set to heat mode. It will not turn on until the temp hits 77 and will turn off when it hits 83. Actually, I think it may take the set point into account on one of those, so maybe it turns on at 78 and off at 83, or on at 77 and off at 82. I'd have to look at the directions to be sure. Anyway, it's not important. Your goal is to keep temps as constant as possible, right? So, set the differential at +/- 1, which is as low as it will go.

 

It gets a little trickier if you have a 2 stage, or 2 controllers like me, because then you want to keep the temp as constant as possible without the 2 stages fighting each other (i.e. - chiller/fans AND heater on all the time). I imagine you get the idea, though.

 

Good luck.

[jason the filter freak]

Bump, link doesn't work anymore. Any one have a new link?

 

Whoops I had a bad search string for google

http://www.automatedaquariums.com/ranco.htm

Edited December 19, 2007 by jason the filter freak