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  1. #1

    Temperature controllers

    Can anyone recommend a budget digital temperature controller rated for over 13 amps? I have a 3kw electro heater and the thermostatic dial is pants! Preferably one where the on/off range (cant remember the term) is less than 0.5C

    Thanks


    Last edited by willshill; 05-02-2019 at 09:25 AM.

  2. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Andy1671's Avatar
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    There are some available on eBay but they are about £80
    I got a cheaper version which were about £25 but they can only handle 2200 watts
    It doesnt say in the description thats all they can handle so had to send it back.
    Make you ask the question that it can handle the 3kw heater you have
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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Frimley Koi keeper's Avatar
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    That's a bit of a tricky one as 13 amps can vary between 2.99 KW to 3.25 KW depending on the mains voltage, 230 volts gives you the 2.99 figure and 250 volts gives you the 3.25 figure. As a rule of thumb is better to work off of the 230 volt figures as that's meant to be the lowest voltage you are going to be supplied. Yeah right, I've seen below that and above 250 as well. So when choosing the controller make sure the figures they are quoting are correct as there is a bit of room to manoeuvre on ampage and wattage or kilo wattage.

    So basically as long as it says it can handle 13 amps and 3 KW at 230 to 250 volts it should be OK.

    If you want to be doubly sure go for one that will handle 15 to 16 amps but that may be more expensive.

    Ebay's always a good first place to try.

    Another option is wire it through a relay so the relay is switching the load not the stat then the stat only need to be able to switch the coil on the relay which is likely to be mA (milliamps)

    Shame you can't go Hive or Nest then you could control the heater from your phone Maybe the most expensive option unfortunately.

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    That's a bit of a tricky one as 13 amps can vary between 2.99 KW to 3.25 KW depending on the mains voltage, 230 volts gives you the 2.99 figure and 250 volts gives you the 3.25 figure. As a rule of thumb is better to work off of the 230 volt figures as that's meant to be the lowest voltage you are going to be supplied. Yeah right, I've seen below that and above 250 as well. So when choosing the controller make sure the figures they are quoting are correct as there is a bit of room to manoeuvre on ampage and wattage or kilo wattage.

    So basically as long as it says it can handle 13 amps and 3 KW at 230 to 250 volts it should be OK.

    If you want to be doubly sure go for one that will handle 15 to 16 amps but that may be more expensive.

    Ebay's always a good first place to try.

    Another option is wire it through a relay so the relay is switching the load not the stat then the stat only need to be able to switch the coil on the relay which is likely to be mA (milliamps)

    Shame you can't go Hive or Nest then you could control the heater from your phone Maybe the most expensive option unfortunately.
    Baffled scratching my napper. this is why we have electricians. covers are closed. scare me electrics

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    LOL Fred it scares me too at times specially when I see some of the bodges other so called electricians have done !!!!

    BTW Fred do you think that the temperature controller for your QT would work in this set up for Willshill? I can't remember the rating of it now.

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    This may be worth a look as it is reduced from £45 to £17.44 and can handle 30 amps controls from - 50 degrees C to + 85 degrees C but may only be in 1 degree increments though? Not sure if it comes with a temperature probe but will need to be mounted on the outside of an enclosure which should be fairly cheap to buy.

    https://www.elitechonline.co.uk/Temp...troller/ECS-16

  10. #7
    Another Option. Again 1 degree accuracy, but good for 30 amps

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MH1230A-A...BnLf:rk:2:pf:0
    Last edited by Stickleback; 05-02-2019 at 09:59 PM.

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  12. #8
    Thanks for the recommendations and Yes Frimley I think a relay may be the best way forward. I do have Hive and have had the heater plugged into a smart plug where I can monitor the usage. Its pulling about 3150w at 240V so thats just over 13 amps. The smart plugs are 13 amp max and its just slightly too much much for them (the ones I have have a built in trip and every few hours it goes)

    I should have went for a 2kw heater as I only have 1600 Gallons but saw a great deal on a 3kw...i regret this now. This is the main reason I want an accurate controller to avoid quick, although small, swings in temperature. It climbs about 1 degree every 5 hours...

    I will continue hunting for an accurate 15 or 16a controller but willl look into relays too!. Thanks!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stickleback View Post
    Another Option. Again 1 degree accuracy, but good for 30 amps

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MH1230A-A...BnLf:rk:2:pf:0
    Looks very similar to the Elitech ? ones only with a higher current rating - 30 amps instead of 10 amps.

  15. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Stickleback View Post
    Another Option. Again 1 degree accuracy, but good for 30 amps

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MH1230A-A...BnLf:rk:2:pf:0
    One like this with a better control accuracy would do the trick!

  16. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    Shame you can't go Hive or Nest then you could control the heater from your phone Maybe the most expensive option unfortunately.
    Wait a moment... did you mean via smart plugs or do you mean using a the central heating receiver/relay used to send on/off signals to the boiler? This sounds interesting :P

    Please elaborate

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    Quote Originally Posted by willshill View Post
    One like this with a better control accuracy would do the trick!
    Better accuracy may mean a big price tag?

    The amount of times I've been out to connect cookers and hobs that people have got at a very good price only to find they are so powerful they won't work on their existing circuit and require installing a whole new circuit which turns a £50 job into an over £500 job

    Last time I needed a relay and base etc I went to RS online. If you know what you need speak to their technical department and they will help you out hopefully. You used to have to have an account with them but now they let you do a one off cash type sale which I have done a few times now.

    You may find your cheapest option is to find a controller that works your heater directly as if you have to buy a relay, a base, an enclosure etc etc plus work out how to wire it all up it may cost more? It's worth looking into as it may be a cheaper option though?

    As you have found out some of the wifi controlled plugs are more sensitive than normal plugs due to all the monitoring devices in side them. Annoyingly 3 KW should be possible to plug in and control easily but in some cases like yours it's not working out that way is it?

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    Quote Originally Posted by willshill View Post
    Wait a moment... did you mean via smart plugs or do you mean using a the central heating receiver/relay used to send on/off signals to the boiler? This sounds interesting :P

    Please elaborate
    I was thinking via the stat or receiver itself, just not sure if it would be rated high enough to handle 13 amps as I've not had any dealings with either nest or hive yet, but you could always add a relay etc to do the switching. Also how would you control the water temperature with what is basically a wall mounted electronic thermostat? Surely you'd need a temperature probe in the water to get better accuracy with the temperature wouldn't you?

  19. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper View Post
    I was thinking via the stat or receiver itself, just not sure if it would be rated high enough to handle 13 amps as I've not had any dealings with either nest or hive yet, but you could always add a relay etc to do the switching. Also how would you control the water temperature with what is basically a wall mounted electronic thermostat? Surely you'd need a temperature probe in the water to get better accuracy with the temperature wouldn't you?
    Yes you are correct. I thought you had a clever Idea to somehow allow the temp to be controlled by the app, this got me exited. If Hives hot water function read a temperature sensor then this could be possible but it doesn't Apparently this is coming...

    Like you said, the cheapest and simplest option is to find a suitable controller for 3kw at 13a at 230 - 250v. Thanks for the info!

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    Just had a quick look at Hive and Nest. Both are about £200 and that's without anything else that may be required to make it work with your heater if it is even possible to make it work that is? So personally I would go for a controller that is designed for ponds or similar plus anything else required to get it up and running. Doing it that way I would like to think that you would have a fair bit of cash left over from the £200 + you would have spent on Hive or Nest.

    The problem you may have is that Hive and Nest are designed to control heating systems in houses so may not be possible to adapt them to control a pond's heating system? I could be wrong but then again that's nothing new on here.

    Sorry this was being written before you wrote your last reply.
    Last edited by Frimley Koi keeper; 06-02-2019 at 11:43 AM.

  21. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by willshill View Post
    Yes you are correct. I thought you had a clever Idea to somehow allow the temp to be controlled by the app, this got me exited. If Hives hot water function read a temperature sensor then this could be possible but it doesn't Apparently this is coming...
    Have they said how accurate the water temperature probe is going to be? Also you may find it is just an upgraded version of the current tank stats which fit on the out side of the hot water cylinder so may not be capable of being immersed in water? You may be better off with a 1 degree increment controller like the ones linked to above in previous replies unless you can find something more accurate? As you are looking for something with very specific parameters have you tried speaking to people that sell or manufacture heating systems for ponds and aquariums to see what they say is available. They may not come up with the cheapest option but could be the best option?

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  23. #17
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Mature Champion pip895's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by willshill View Post
    One like this with a better control accuracy would do the trick!
    I don't think you need better accuracy tbh. If its like the more or less identical 10A one I have its fine - you can adjust Delta/ hysteresis to 0.5deg and it will hold the temp within that range.
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