BANG Heater Controller?

[rjmang]

Ok, I have found a few 'Controllers' on the internet for controlling heaters that might malfunction, but they are all $100+. Are there any $20-30 models? I would not think that this device would be this expensive.
Thanks in advance

 

[rjmang]

Sorry for the meaningless bump, but I was almost off the page.

 

[mudplayerx]

Why not just buy a top of the line heater instead of a cheap heater and an expensive controller?

 

[rjmang]

A top of the line heater will also fail at some point.

 

[1968oldsma]

your not making much sense if i'm getting your line of thought then anything you get will fail at some point. So what is the point then? Just get whatever you want and be prepared for it to fail...No worries then.

 

[ren99]

I have ebo jager heater. After only 1 month this thing failed. My temp raised from my set 79 degrees to 84 degrees!! lucky I caught it and took it out or else I will have fish soup in the morning.
So having 2x check is better then just one.

 

[rjmang]

Thank you ren99. I wish I had been as lucky as you. My heater heated my tank to 100F.
If a controller goes bad the temp will drop, and it will take alot longer for the tank to cool to dangerous levels than to heat to dangerous levels.

 

[ren99]

how do these controllers work?
would I be like having 2 controlers as fail safe check? Meaning, my heater would only turn on if both my heater censor, and my temp controller allows the heater to be turned on?
or?
after my last episode, I might invest in one of these as well.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ren99
my heater would only turn on if both my heater censor, and my temp controller allows the heater to be turned on?
Yep, that's it.
I still advise two (or more) heaters vs one.

 

[farmboy]

If you are electrically inclined, you could wire a household t-stat in series with your heater and set the temp at the highest point you ever wanted to see a temp, like 82. The thermostat has its own thermometer that could be dropped into the water. It would be just like turning on your furnace until it got to 82, then it simply won't let it work until it goes below 82 again. You would have a redundant temperature sensor/cutout.
Honewell makes one for baseboard electric heaters that could be modified (add a plug, maybe lengthen the thermometer/sensor wires to get it into the tank) -- model T498 --around $32.95. I'm sure there are others. Just an idea.
p.s. You might find something on the DIY page.

 

[rjmang]

Bang,
Are all the ones available 'for' aquariums in the $100+ range?
Farmboy, thanks for the info, that was what I was looking to do. I was hoping that an inexpensive complete device had already been developed.

 

[mudplayerx]

I must be lucky! I've been using the same heater for like 15 years... it came from one of my old freshwater tanks.

 

[rjmang]

I wish I had your luck, go buy a lotto ticket tonight. The heater that #%$^&# up last week was one that I had gotten from a FW tank I had purchased.

 

[mudplayerx]

I'll post the brand name later if you are at all interested