Controlling Chillers

[Peanut]

Is anyone using their controller to turn on and off a chiller?

The thermostat in my chiller makes my tank swing 2 degrees between each cycle. I am thinking that my apex controller could narrow this gap but don't know if shutting the power to the outlet will have any adverse effect on the compressor. Is shutting off power any different from how the built in thermostat would end a cycle?

Anyone doing this , something similar, or have general refrigeration/compressor knowledge they could share?

 

[kuyatwo]

I run my chiller if my apex.

 

[mfinn]

I used a Ranco controller that kept the temp pretty steady.

 

[Peanut]

I run my chiller if my apex.

I used a Ranco controller that kept the temp pretty steady.

you just set the temp on the chiller low (65 or so) and then solely using the controllers? no ill effects on the chiller/compressor?

 

[mfinn]

The chiller I have, has a built in controller.
When I got it, it was set to 80 degrees.
I set my Ranco controller at 77.9 degrees.
Temps never got above 78.
The chiller is made to go on and off. I'm not sure how it could harm it.

 

[Peanut]

The chiller I have, has a built in controller.
When I got it, it was set to 80 degrees.
I set my Ranco controller at 77.9 degrees.
Temps never got above 78.
The chiller is made to go on and off. I'm not sure how it could harm it.

I hear you, I just wasn't sure if the built in thermostat was more aware of the compressor cycle.

 

[lxeroxl]

i use a min time on and off to help with the compressor cycling. Its a bad idea in general to run the compress for short periods or to cycle it on or off in very short time frames. ie less then 1 min

 

[pickupman66]

Electric motors only have so many starts and stops in them. what you dont want is for it to go on and off every 10 minutes. Best for them to come on, run for a length of time and then off for that amount of time. Much less stress on the system. I have used two controllers for my chiller. the first was a Medusa which had a set point, and then turned on at .7 below and off at .4 above (IIRC). this equated to about a 1.5° swing back and forth. now I use my Reefkeeper and the it has a .2° hystersis. this is ideal IMO.

with my LED's my chiller brings the tank down in about 10 minutes and rests for 2 hours.