Automating a Chiller questions

[scolley]

I'm setting up my first chiller - a JBJ Artica 1/10th hp. I've got it on a loop powered by an Eheim 1260 that runs from my sump to the chiller, and back to my sump. I know - not the ideal configuration. It was a compromise. Anyway...

To reduce power/noise, I wanted use my controller to set the chiller in a normally-off state. Then have the controller turn the pump on when water temp approached a point where it needed cooling, and then turn on the chiller on shortly after that.

On the flip side, when water temp cooled, have the controller turn the chiller off, and a few minutes later turn off the pump too.

The JBJ allows you to "calibrate" it. So I should be able to pretty much have both the controller and the heater "agree" on what the water temperature is.

Is there any reason why this would not work?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'm setting up my first chiller - a JBJ Artica 1/10th hp. I've got it on a loop powered by an Eheim 1260 that runs from my sump to the chiller, and back to my sump. I know - not the ideal configuration. It was a compromise. Anyway...

To reduce power/noise, I wanted use my controller to set the chiller in a normally-off state. Then have the controller turn the pump on when water temp approached a point where it needed cooling, and then turn on the chiller on shortly after that.

To reduce power and noise? The JBJ chiller is very quiet when running and silent when not running headwally, and I don't have an Eheim pump, but I've been told they are very quiet as well. And the power you would save is what... $1.02/mth? I think the wear and tear on turning the entire chiller on and off multiple times every day will cost you more in the long run. Take a $450 chiller and reduce it's life expectancy by a year and you've lost money. JMHO.

 

[scolley]

Thanks for the help.

OK. I should have said to reduce heat and noise. I don't care about the power.

The noise - you have to take my word for that. It's based on my pump, as it sits in my stand, judged by my tolerance for noise. And I want to reduce it.

Likewise, I'd just as soon not add the heat from the pump. It's only a 33g DT, so a little heat goes a long way.

The JBJ I'd be happy to leave on - silent when not running. But unless I'm missing something, with the chiller on and no water running through it I risk freezing up the chiller. So I'm assuming that's got to go on/off with the pump. Actual off before the pump.

It's also possible to put a long delay on the "off" side of the cycle. For instance, once the pump/chiller are turned on, they will not be turned off by the controller for - as an example - for a minimum of 4 hours. That way, for the few months of the year where I actually need a chiller, and for the few hours in a day that it might be needed, it doesn't turn on/off more than a couple of times a day. At most. That's cycling on/off maybe 3,000 times in 5-6 years. If it dies in 5 years, I'm OK with that. And if it can't duty cycle 3,000 times, it's a POS IMO.

 

[scolley]

Any other reasons why I shouldn't do this except wear an tear to the chiller? I think that one can be minimized by the aforementioned minimum 4 hour cycles.