Chiller ?'s

[Fuzzy]

I finally broke down and ordered the stuff to upgrade my MH's to 250 watts.....
Since I've been fighting heat issues already, I got out my chiller and fired it up.
It's a Pacific coast CL650 and seems to be working, but it makes a serious racket when it starts up.
Any suggestions on what to look for?
Or if anyone repairs chillers locally??

Thanks!

 

[skinnyjoe1976]

could be the compressor making the noise. does it stop after start up? and check with terry alexander, i know he does a/c work and has looked at chillers before

 

[Fuzzy]

Yes - it does settle down - but is a lot louder than I remember it being on our 90. Although it has been sitting in the garage for almost 2 years....

Also - I'm noticing a big fluctuation in temps before it turns on - I'm thinking I need a better controller. Are the Ranco single stage units any good??

Thanks!

 

[tricky]

Yes, the Ranco units are great. I like the two stage controller, it can be used to control the heat as well. That guarantees that the chiller and heater will never be on at the same time while maintaining a very tight set point.
There are only two moving parts in the chiller, the fan and the compressor. The compressor should not make much noise during startup. Usually increased noise would be after running a while and heating up while building excessive head pressure, with the valves making noise.

 

[gwrench]

Having had one of the Pacific Coast models specifically the same model as yours Fuzzy, I would not own one again. Mine had start up noise as well, kind of a rattling sound that diminished almost completely as it began to cool. There is an offset setting within the internal controller if my memory serves me right. You can download the manual.
I also had two failures of these units: one compressor failure, two heat exchanger leaking refrigerant and PAG oil into the water column. I have also tried the Coralife units, Delta units, Sealife Systems and I am now happiest with my JBJ. Did I mention quiet!!
The Ranco controllers are awesome as Rick mentioned. Highly recommended. Terry (fragger on ORCA) offers member discounts on them.
Just my .02
Regards
George

 

[Fuzzy]

Thanks for the info!

Unfortunately, this chiller is all I've got for now......
Jean will inflict great bodily harm upon my person if I even think of buying a different model :eek1:

I've had it for almost 4 years now, it ran for about 1 year with little to no problem. And other than the start up noise seems to be working fine now.
I'll send Terry a message through the ORCA site and see about getting a Ranco.

Question - I've never had a heater on this tank - with all the pumps lack of heat has not been a problem. The on board controller has about a 4* swing.
My goal is to keep it at a consistent 79 - 80*. Do you think the single stage controller will take care of that?

 

[gwrench]

The Ranco controllers have a 1-3 degree varience control built in to them.
The Pacific Coast may have the 2 degree offset. Check the manual to see if you can adjust the varience. Here is there link to your chiller.
http://www.pacificcoastchiller.com/index1.html

Hope this helps
George

 

[Fuzzy]

I downloaded the manual right after I read your earlier post. Unfortunately mine is an older unit that does not have the ability to adjust the settings.
When I followed the steps in the manual it went into some kind of a calibrate mode.
I sent an e-mail to Pacific Coast, hopefully they will get back to me soon. And I sent a note to Terry asking about a Ranco.

Thanks for the help!!