Heater controllers seem to be all the rage as of late, and I wanted to share my current experience with the equipment I have tried. I have utilized both of the following:
WILLHI and Inkbird
Just last night sadly, my WILLHI controller seems be by having a high scale burn out (reading higher value than is actually in the tank). I verified by pulling the probe, placing it in my sump alongside a mercury thermometer. Controller reading 84* and mercury reading 78-79*. This is disappointing as it has only been in service since December of last year.
The Inkbird, I have been fairly vocal about being against in this forum and elsewhere, was loosely the same results reading even higher when I noticed it. I want to say it was reading 96* while the tank was actually low 70s!
So, what am I to do now? Well, I am going to get a FInnex controller that they sell with their Titanium heaters. I already have one of these heaters and love they design and have had no issues with the heater itself.
I believe the issue with the WILLHI and Inkbird all reside in the probes themselves. I think they aren't meant to be submerge for extended periods of time even though they both advertise aquarium use. The Finnex temperature probe appears to be built with water in mind based on photos and I am keeping my fingers crossed it will work. If this doesn't work, I am going to go full ham and my hobby money is going to making my Raspberry Pi box 1st and foremost with a temperature probe I pick, relays I pick, and outlets etc. to ensure quality parts are there. Is it possible I got 2 bad eggs? Maybe, but I've got a co-worker and others on here have complained about the Inkbird. I am the only person I know to have gotten the WILLHI but a failure within 5 months is unacceptable IMO.
I just wanted to share some findings I've had with these devices as of late and am cruious on others experiences as well.
Cheers
WILLHI and Inkbird
Just last night sadly, my WILLHI controller seems be by having a high scale burn out (reading higher value than is actually in the tank). I verified by pulling the probe, placing it in my sump alongside a mercury thermometer. Controller reading 84* and mercury reading 78-79*. This is disappointing as it has only been in service since December of last year.
The Inkbird, I have been fairly vocal about being against in this forum and elsewhere, was loosely the same results reading even higher when I noticed it. I want to say it was reading 96* while the tank was actually low 70s!
So, what am I to do now? Well, I am going to get a FInnex controller that they sell with their Titanium heaters. I already have one of these heaters and love they design and have had no issues with the heater itself.
I believe the issue with the WILLHI and Inkbird all reside in the probes themselves. I think they aren't meant to be submerge for extended periods of time even though they both advertise aquarium use. The Finnex temperature probe appears to be built with water in mind based on photos and I am keeping my fingers crossed it will work. If this doesn't work, I am going to go full ham and my hobby money is going to making my Raspberry Pi box 1st and foremost with a temperature probe I pick, relays I pick, and outlets etc. to ensure quality parts are there. Is it possible I got 2 bad eggs? Maybe, but I've got a co-worker and others on here have complained about the Inkbird. I am the only person I know to have gotten the WILLHI but a failure within 5 months is unacceptable IMO.
I just wanted to share some findings I've had with these devices as of late and am cruious on others experiences as well.
Cheers
