henward Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Thermostats on Jagers don't work in a synchronous manner. So some turn on n off in different ttemps. Trying a temp controller so all 1200w work synchronously (if that's a word) now. I bumped up the heaters 2 degrees each to make sure it doesn't turn off while on and let controller control them. Heats up to 28 and doesn't let temp drop below 27c. Who uses temp controllers? Feedback and suggestions will be cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I do in my chiller, keeps the temp within 1/2 a deg often it wont move more than .1 or .2 of a deg in the tank. Be careful that the temp at the controller is not too different to beside the heaters, or are they all in the sump? also you now have a single point of failure where before you had 4? independent systems that it wouldn't really matter if one failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I was using them to control a 4 ft tank divided into 6 parts with a bare tank bottom and a below tank heating mat of 300 watts as well as a 4 foot planted tank with sand media and heavily planted, with an undertank 300 watt heating mat. The control on the bare tank was pretty good (hysteresis about 1 degree), but the sand I discovered needed to be evenly spread and not too deep or the hysteresis extended considerably (probably about 5 degrees) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovmoller Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 also you now have a single point of failure where before you had 4? Very good point there blueether. I think I would keep them separate.. so what if one works more than the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 You can change the temperatures so that you swap the backup every so often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I wouldn't be too concerned about the reliability of the controller, its unlikely to overheat it because of the thermostats in the heaters (that said, I'd still suggest putting the sensor for the controller in the sump with the heaters, just in case your pump fails), and unless you're away for a long period of time you'd most likely notice if it wasn't switching on. I'd like to run something like this for my next big tank, the MFK guys seem to think the Jehmco ones are pretty good. *edit* Here's the link; http://www.jehmco.com/html/temperature_controller.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 from what i gather they are all pretty generic in side, companies make the actual unit inside, and sensor, only the box and presentation is different. i am using engineering grade stuff. father in law works for a large electrics company. see how it goes, i am monitoring it regularly. but i agree, 1 poihnt of failure, in saying that, many overseas use this as their main heatng method but i am weary of that so dont get me wrong. i found that there was extreme difficulty synchronising the heaers to turn on an d off. so, this way, i have them all turning at once. the sensor for the temp controller is in the over flow, just before it enters the sump. so it is taking temp readings from the tank itself, not in the sump. by puttng the sensor by the heaters, i found by measuring 1200w of heating all on at once does affect the temp of that chamber, i didnt think it would, but definitely does, by almost 1 degree. so having it by the over flow measures the water directly coming out of the tank i figure. i have used 4 different thermometers to ensure the unit is measuring accurately as well. its all with in .1c of each other up and down. the unit can handle 2200w of heating easily. so for a bigger set up, i would prob get another couple of jagers and bring that up to 1800w of heating, mainly because it brings the temp back up faster when needed. who has used one and failed ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 If you're really worried about the sensor or thermostat failing and not switching on you could have an extra heater in the sump set low enough as not to come on unless the temp drops unusually low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan7 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I think its a great idea, as you said have them set a couple of degsC above the required temp, so then if your pump fails you wont cook your sump, relying on inbuilt individual heater thermostats to cut out. And having a lower set backup on a separate power supply incase the controller unit itself fails.. Combine with a thermometer that has a hi/low temp alarm and any issues should be obvious reasonably quickly. Sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 be careful of using a heater with a bi-metallic strip as your emergency back up as they can stick in the off (or on) position easily if they are not constantly changing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 be careful of using a heater with a bi-metallic strip as your emergency back up as they can stick in the off (or on) position easily if they are not constantly changing I think the vbackup heater Is great idea. It slows down the temp drop too. So far working very well.. temp is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Just get a 1000w titanium heater. I use it with a controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 Where did you get that from reef? I've been thinking about the Jehmco ones (heater and controller) for my next tank, interested to hear what you're using and how you find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted October 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 depends on cost, aquaone is sufficient, i dont need the superior thermostat of the jager anymore. i need another 900w of heating in total, the aqua ones are cheap and good value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I've had a lot of trouble with Aqua one heaters, wouldn't trust them with anything worth $$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I've had a lot of trouble with Aqua one heaters, wouldn't trust them with anything worth $$$$ I've used them before. i found Their thermostat is not as good but heating works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 im finding a lot of thermo's that turn off and never turn back on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 All the aquaones i have had have been fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I'd seriously consider flicking off the Jagers (or some of them) and just going for a single big heating element like Reef suggested, yes you lose the safety of a back-up inbuilt thermostat but they probably aren't that reliable anyway, especially when they're not being used regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Not using jagers individually right now, all rigged to controller anyway. It was suggested that I could use the heating coils similar to a hot water cylinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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