CHILLER QUESTION - sl-300-a

[salmonslayer]

Hi all. I have a pacific coast chiller ( SL300A ). Had it for over 3 years. Each summer I have to call the factory and have them send me a part.
The chiller reads 79 and tank temp is 77.8. When this takes place the chiller is running 27/7 because it thinks its 79 . They say its a probe and thats what they keep sending me.
Did this when the tank was in the house and now out in the garage.
Anyone have this same problem. Thanks

 

[Scooterman]

Buy a Ranco controller & plug your chiller into it, the titanium probe is very consistent on these & your most likely to be done with that problem. You'll still need to flush your chiller coils every 6 months or sooner to keep the efficiency up, also you need to remove dust build up on the cooling fins regular.

 

[jezzeaepi]

Yah I wouldnt rely on the probe from the chiller. I use a Ranco as well(plugged in to an ac jr for added security)

 

[Herefishyfishy]

On a side note, if it runs non-stop regardless of temp settings, it is too small for your current set-up. If mine ran 24/7, the tank would get down to the 40s on a hot day.

 

[Scooterman]

BTW I have a 1/4h.p. Aqua-logic Trimline for sale, good price If that would be a size bigger.

 

[jezzeaepi]

I recently added a large wall mounted fan to my set up and faced it at the surface of the water. Its amazing how much cooling it can do. It evaporates a ton of water, but it was able to pull the temp tank down while the room was 85 degrees and 700 watts of light were on. I had to turn it off at times to keep the heater from coming on =P Im probably pushing "best case scenario"(Rimless tank with a large footprint and a powerfull fan) but even a couple small fans in a hood will help a lot if they are blowing accross the surface of the water.

 

[matts125]

On a side note, if it runs non-stop regardless of temp settings, it is too small for your current set-up. If mine ran 24/7, the tank would get down to the 40s on a hot day.

I agree Mike,

My chiller is on for less than 5 minutes at a time and drops the temp 2 degrees. I assume my chiller runs approx 15 minutes an hour during the hottest time of the day with the lights on..

Matt

 

[salmonslayer]

WOW. Thanks all. Looks like I need a controller . The only reason its running 24/7 is it thinks the temp is 79/80.
Looks like I will be putting polly pipe in the pool. My wife has no say in this one. She will have a cow when she hops in the pool and its only 77 and not 82.
Keep you all posted. " I may need a place to rent ". Thanks guys

 

[Herefishyfishy]

WOW. Thanks all. Looks like I need a controller . The only reason its running 24/7 is it thinks the temp is 79/80.
Looks like I will be putting polly pipe in the pool. My wife has no say in this one. She will have a cow when she hops in the pool and its only 77 and not 82.
Keep you all posted. " I may need a place to rent ". Thanks guys

Tracy sorry but you are incorrect about the cause of the problem. Even if it was running nonstop without ANY controller, it should chill your tank very cold. If your tank isn't cooling down steadily while it runs, it's too small.

Using the pool as a heat sink, pretty cool!

 

[Fragman]

Tracy you are taking the wrong approach with your wife and the Pool Chiller. You are not trying to cool your tank, you are trying to heat the pool more efficiently to save more money to buy her stuff and to make her more comfortable in the pool. Come on wipe that smile off of your face, you can do this.

 

[salmonslayer]

I think me's missing something. If the tank is at 77 and the chiller is saying its 79+ you think the mag 5 is heating it up or could be a temp change in the sump. I will check that. Could be getting the wrong reading.
May need a 1hp chiller .
Paul, the more I spend the less lunch I can buy. It because of her I have this big A%% house and large house payment Etc,Etc,Etc. I would be happy with a Cardboard box as a end table with a towel over it, A tire to sit on as a couch, one bed apartment, my dog, and most of all my SW setups.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Yes, the controller is off, but that isn't the big problem. Like the guy laying in the freeway with his hat on backwards, the hat isn't the problem.

I think the chiller is too small or broken. Doesn't matter what the temp readings are on either thermometer. If the chiller is running non-stop and the tank isn't getting too cold, it is too small, needs maintenance, or is busted. Otherwise, your fish would be frozen in a huge ice cube while it was chugging along.

 

[salmonslayer]

You know you may have something there (frozen in a huge ice cube ) They would last for ever or as long as I could keep them frozen. I will look into that.
I told my wife: you know you should go for a swim today when Me's at work. I will know when I get home if the pool is to cold .

 

[danno14]

I can supply the tire if it comes to that