Ranco temperature controller owners - Temperature sensor question

[frickr]

do these units take a special thermocouple or could the stock one be replaced with one that could withstand being submerged? based on how it looks the thermocouple looks like a standard RTD probe.

 

[hobbes4]

The ranco controller is made for hvac. The sensor is water resistant not water proof. They aren't meant for submerged applications as they come. Mine came with heat shrink tubing over the sensor to protect it that actually goes up 3 feet on the wire. You can coat the sensor with silicone or epoxy to protect it. I'd assume jehmco knows that and is properly protecting the ones they're selling, since they're selling them specifically for aquarium use.

Was the one you got from Jehmco pre-wired? I'm looking at the ETCI-1R "Electronic Temperature Control w/ Receptacle for up to 1800 watts load" on their site for $77. I'm assuming "with receptacle" means it is wired already. Can you confirm?