Come on BRS what the heck?

[Blitheran]

So for Black Friday I purchased their aquarium heater controller. I figured that having my apex power bar flip on and off 12 times because I like to maintain a .5 degree, will help save my power bar’s life whilst, hoping to minimize the temp swings and be even more controlled. Anyhow, I figured I would leave my old apex programming the same on the apex since I want a .3 degree swing. Before if the temp dipped below 77.5 it kicked the heater back on to 78.0. I set the BRS controller to 77.7 back to 78.0. Long story short... this controller was swinging a whole degree based off my apex. I calibrated it, and even temp matched it to my apex and yet it would get to 77.2 before it kicked on yet the BRS controller said it was 77.7 which was it’s “.3” swing.

Now comparing this to my apex heating

All in all, I was disappointed so I called and told them about it and they said that there have been reports that the controller was “finicky” and not maintaining a proper temperature and that they need me to send it in for a testing. So cool, lets see what they come up with. Two days ago I received an email from them saying the controller is fine and I have a heating element that might be “too big” so I am not left with a faulty device. Not very happy.

BRS email:
“Hey there!
I just wanted to reach out and let you know that we tested the heater controller and it performed flawlessly. We tested it for 2 days and the temp held steady with no drift outside the set range. This issue may be that the element you have is over powered heater that is causing the system to over shoot the set temp. Will be sending the controller back today, let me know if you have any questions!


Take care”

Me:
“Hmm... after sending back the heater controller temp has become more in line. Heating element is not overpowered as I am using a 100w BRS titanium heater, in a red sea reefer 170. As you are saying it properly heated the tank for .3 swing at max without any hiccups? “

BRS:
“That would be correct. Based off your tank size the heater is slightly oversized that would result in the temp swings you might see.”

Me:
“Thomas I am finding that statement inconclusive. The red sea reefer is 34 plus 9 gallon sump which puts the total system volume at 43. Not taking into account that the ato has been turned into a refugium so adding about 1 gallon to system overall. Which would be 44 gallons. If we do some math an take the rock and equipment displacement, lets say 6 ish gallons that would put me at 38 gallons overall. I always round up and say 40. On your website you clearly say that the 100w titanium heater is best up to 40 gallons. I am finding this annoying how you can say that it is over heating when I am following your guidelines! “

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Regardless of that whole exchange... I have a question, Where is the temperature probe relative to the heater?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Inkbird controller?

 

[mike550]

Wow. I’m a bit surprised by their response but then kudos to them for inspecting it. I’m also surprised by how well the Apex can regulate temperature.

Could the temp swing be related to the BRS temp probe not being as responsive or accurate as the one you’re using on the Apex?

 

[Big C]

I am getting the same run around. How can my Apex control perfectly with the same heater? You see a bunch of post piling up on this issue. In exclusively by from them but thinking twice now.

see below, I’ve posted before but can you tell which is the Apex control similar setting for both.

 

[Blitheran]

Regardless of that whole exchange... I have a question, Where is the temperature probe relative to the heater?

I have the heater in the last chamber of the sump. And the probes are in the chamber prior to the heater

 

[Big C]

I hope they include their own controller in the next heater test

 

[Blitheran]

Inkbird controller?

It’s the BRS heater controller

 

[Big C]

I have the heater in the last chamber of the sump. And the probes are in the chamber prior to the heater

My BRS controller calibration drifts within hours.

 

[Blitheran]

Wow. I’m a bit surprised by their response but then kudos to them for inspecting it. I’m also surprised by how well the Apex can regulate temperature.

Could the temp swing be related to the BRS temp probe not being as responsive or accurate as the one you’re using on the Apex?

Thats my guess. But then again, their “tests” showed it was a proper .3 degree swing.

 

[Reafer]

What did you use to calibrate the heater? Also, I would just use your Apex to control temp, set your heater to 80. Dont trust any heater.

 

[Big C]

Thats my guess. But then again, their “tests” showed it was a proper .3 degree swing.

I guess what gets me is all the noise BRS made in this controller and how’s it better than sliced bread. But shame on me for not waiting until the bugs are worked out and doing more research.

 

[Big C]

What did you use to calibrate the heater? Also, I would just use your Apex to control temp, set your heater to 80. Dont trust any heater.

I set the BRS controller to the same temperature as my Apex when they were located in the same exact position at the same time. My cheap $7 thermometer tended better than the BRS. Took tons of pictures and sent to BRS.

 

[Sweetaz]

I think you might be setting your expectations a bit high for a $50 piece of equipment.

 

[Blitheran]

What did you use to calibrate the heater? Also, I would just use your Apex to control temp, set your heater to 80. Dont trust any heater.

I have multiple items that test temp and they are all relatively the same .3 degree difference between them. So thats how I know I can trust my apex. The brs heater doesnt have a set temp. It requires a controller to turn it off or on.

 

[Blitheran]

I think you might be setting your expectations a bit high for a $50 piece of equipment.

BRS slapped their approval on it and said it will do .3 degree swings but so far it sucks at that

 

[Big C]

I think you might be setting your expectations a bit high for a $50 piece of equipment.

Agreed, but the fact it doesn’t perform as advertised.

 

[Blitheran]

I guess what gets me is all the noise BRS made in this controller and how’s it better than sliced bread. But shame on me for not waiting until the bugs are worked out and doing more research.

Shame on me as well! Randy made it sound like it was a good working device but it sucks

 

[Gareth elliott]

is there a way to set in Celsius not Fahrenheit? Might mean a few less nanoseconds of calculations on the part of the controller. Since i know of 0 digital devices that internally record in Fahrenheit.

Also how near is the brs probe to any electrical devices? The internals of temp probes are all pretty similar, but the amount of water proofing and electrical shielding vary greatly. Will always be a difference between a probe that cost $30 plus a temp controller with a probe thats $50. Especially since the apex has far more electrical shielding inside its head unit(still not perfect why salinity probes on controllers skew so often.

 

[ca1ore]

It’s the BRS heater controller

Looks like its made by the same OEM as the stinkbird though.