7028/3 temp controller clicking on and off rapidly

[Emo]

My 7028/3 has been working great for a couple of years but a couple of days ago it started turning its outlet on and off very rapidly. If I set the controller to half a degree or more above water temp it will activate the outlet normally and run the heater thats plugged into it until the target temp is reached. Its when the water temp is right at the activation point that you can see the red light blinking and hear the outlet switching on and off....cant be good for the heater or controller.

Can this be serviced? I dont think its still under warranty but I will look for my receipt just in case.
Thanks
Emerson

 

[rvitko]

From my experience this seems to be normal, mine does the same thing. My solution was to raise or lower the temp a few tenths of a degree to one it could more stabily attain. When it gets very cold or warm sometimes it is a struggle to keep a constant temp, a few tenths change should fix this.

 

[Emo]

Thanks for the quick reply! I tried every tenth between 78.1 and 78.9 and the condition has only gotten worse. It is pretty much a constant click a second or up to 10+ clicks per second now.

Can this be repaired in the US or would it have to goto Germany? That is if repair is an option. In either case I will have to run the heater without the controller for now....not good, as tank temp swings up to 2 degrees without the controller.

thanks again

 

[rvitko]

I will see what I can do. I have not repaired one for this issue before so I am unsure where to start and I will likely need to consult with the electrician in Germany. The only other thing I could advise trying is to submerge the sensor deeper and further away from the heater. The basic issue is the temperature is swinging very quickly which would be expected in the winter near the surface due to high evaporation and low ambient temperature from cool dry air.

 

[Emo]

Thanks for the help Roger. The sensor is 2 feet below the surface in the 215g and the heater is in the sump so I think we're good there. It just killed my heater too

 

[rvitko]

You can swing it by here or drop it off at AquaTek or send it in. I promise I will get it taken care of as soon as possible.

 

[Emo]

Thats great! I will drop it off tomorrow then.

btw: I was wrong about the heater. The heater is not broken, but the 7028 is no longer supplying it juice.