Any Ranco temp controller failures? two

csb123 · Jan 22, 2019

Well, it’s time for me to replace my heaters. I’ve been using digital Finnex titanium heaters controlled by a Ranco. I was thinking about changing to my Ranco controller and non-thermostat titanium heating elements (brand?), to reduce complexity and eliminate cheap heater thermostats (which often fail.)

Has anyone had a Ranco controller fail on them?
Was it in the on or off position?
Do I need two Ranco controllers in series, for safety?

Thank you for your responses!

csb123 · Jan 22, 2019

Mods, please remove the word “two” from the title.

Thank you

TaylorPilot · Jan 22, 2019

I have two. One controls the chiller on my laser cutter. The other I bought used 10 years ago and it is still running flawlessly today. They are about as fool proof as you can get in a temp controller IMHO.

csb123 · Jan 23, 2019

Well, this is a good sign...bump

Geebs19 · Jan 23, 2019

I have mine running 2 heaters, I know the person that had it before me had it running for 5+ years.

ca1ore · Jan 23, 2019

I have three. One that has been my secondary heater controller (10 yrs old); a second that controls my chiller (5 years old); and a third that I bought last year that runs my emergency heaters. No failures yet. Important to make sure you get the probe sleeve.

Saveafish · Jan 23, 2019

I have the dual model. Bought new in 02 used for 8yrs. Sit till dec. works flawless.

A sea K · Jan 23, 2019

I have the dual as well. On my second one now. First one lasted long enough for complacency to set in on my part (4-5 years I think). In defense of the controller it was housed inside the stand and we all know how hostile that environment can be, I'm sure salt laden humidity had its hand in the controllers demise.
Another 4or 5 years and my 3rd system for the replacement controller without so much as a hiccup. I fully trust it and it has been kept OUT of the sump area on all of the systems it has been used on.

fragit · Feb 23, 2019

Any links to the Ranco models your using? Also what is the sleeve your referring to @ca1ore ? I’m sick of the inkbirds I’ve been using failing over time.

NickC · Feb 23, 2019

I use an adhesive lined heatshrink tubing on the stock probe, like this

https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-Marine-Electrical-Activated-Adhesive/dp/B000QCPKE8

Works fine

dealseer · Feb 23, 2019

ca1ore said:
I have three. One that has been my secondary heater controller (10 yrs old); a second that controls my chiller (5 years old); and a third that I bought last year that runs my emergency heaters. No failures yet. Important to make sure you get the probe sleeve.

What is “the probe sleeve”?

pscheel2 · Feb 23, 2019

7 years+ no problem

gtrider · Feb 23, 2019

I’d be also interested in someone linking the model. Would this be overkill with a apex or a good idea / backup?

diverpat · Feb 23, 2019

I’ll be the outlier here. I’ve had a few dual stage Ranco dual stages fail. The relay is the component that fails and only on the off condition. Now the reason they fail is because they are outside, unprotected on large aquaculture system heat pumps in some very unforgiving hot salty conditions. Most last over 5 years, some are going on 10 years. Even with the few failures I’ve had, I still consider them bulletproof. We have them on over 20 heat pumps, chillers, and heater. They are pretty much the aquaculture industry standard.

ca1ore · Feb 23, 2019

fragit said:
Any links to the Ranco models your using? Also what is the sleeve your referring to @ca1ore ? I’m sick of the inkbirds I’ve been using failing over time.

Website is not working from my phone, but if you go to rancoetc.com, you’ll see probe sleeve versions.

Dr. Dendrostein · Feb 23, 2019

csb123 said:
Well, it’s time for me to replace my heaters. I’ve been using digital Finnex titanium heaters controlled by a Ranco. I was thinking about changing to my Ranco controller and non-thermostat titanium heating elements (brand?), to reduce complexity and eliminate cheap heater thermostats (which often fail.)

Has anyone had a Ranco controller fail on them?
Was it in the on or off position?
Do I need two Ranco controllers in series, for safety?

Thank you for your responses!

This controller comes under different name brands but they look pretty much the same, we use it in a HVAC and refrigeration and never had issues. I even built a smoker to smoke meat it was controlling a hot plate in the smoker and never had issues.
Right now I'm controlling my heaters through my chiller and haven't had issues so for