Heater Controller Purchase Advice

[Bud8Fan]

Bio Therm is junk and I need a new one.

I have read on these boards of people recommending Rancos and Medusas.
Please help me decide which is the better investment for a heater controller.
Links to great deals would be appreciated also.

I'm watching a 2 year old and a 1 year old today so internet price shopping will be hard to do. I'd like to get this sucker ordered tonight.

I will be controlling around 500 watts of heater.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Bud8Fan]

Looks like Medusa controllers are discontinued?

 

[invisyblegypsey]

i use one of these with 2x500w
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=31413&cat=0&page=1

 

[Bud8Fan]

i use one of these with 2x500w
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=31413&cat=0&page=1

How long have you used it? Please don't take offense but I'm very leary of using a cheap controller again.

 

[dennisdeng2002]

Get the Ranco ETC1-1R
http://www.jehmco.com/html/temperature_controller.html
Add an extra receptacle so you can controller two heaters-less chance of failure.

 

[Dan F]

Looks like Medusa controllers are discontinued?

It's too bad, mine has been trouble-free for 11 years! I REALLY like the audible alarm, I wonder if any currently available controllers have one?

 

[Bud8Fan]

Get the Ranco ETC1-1R
http://www.jehmco.com/html/temperature_controller.html
Add an extra receptacle so you can controller two heaters-less chance of failure.

How about the ETC1-1? Looks like I could custom wire it and not have extension cords.

I also saw some Aqua Logics but they just look like Ranco's with fresh paint and a higher price tag.

 

[Bud8Fan]

This one looks pretty cool. You can program the fail mode should that happen. Like it the controller fails you can program it to stay on (cook fish) or stay off.

http://www.rancoetc.com/johnson-a41....html?osCsid=234bf87143d232113c5768c3af658d1a

 

[dmopar74]

i love my rancos, i use these- http://cgi.ebay.com/ETC-111000-Ranc...Automation_Components?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

you will have to wire em but its very easy with a $6 ext.cord, and also thow something on the sensor to keep it dry, i use those long balloons for making animals out of.

 

[Bud8Fan]

Thanks for the replies everybody!

I just ordered a non-wired Ranco this morning with 20 extra feet of sensor wire so I can place the sensor in my overflow. I paid a few extra dollars to have them install pvc heat shrink tubing on the sensor.