Heating / Cooling range for a heater

[mcordelia]

Yeah, what that guy ^ said. I think the power surge caused the mechanical failure thingy he is talking about

 

[mcordelia]

PS I really appreciate it when smart people are willing to share their knowledge and explain things in a nice and understandable way

 

[itiwhetu]

Why do you need an ink bird? Doesn't the heater/thermostat control the temperature of the aquarium on its own.

 

[FF_Guest1439]

The units ability to keep the water within an acceptable range is just fine. 1 degree - and it comes right back to preferred. I have a clear idea what happened to us trying to set it up, but I'd like to know what happened to you. Did you set it up with the phone app only? Please, include all the detail you'd like.

The units ability to keep the water within an acceptable range is just fine. 1 degree - and it comes right back to preferred. I have a clear idea what happened to us trying to set it up, but I'd like to know what happened to you. Did you set it up with the phone app only? Please, include all the detail you'd like.

Yeah, did it by the app only. It just took time to figure out which setting meant what, as that wasn't so clear.

 

[FF_Guest1439]

Someone already mentioned this, but I have first-hand experience of an inkbird failing catastrophically after a power surge. I had a similar inkbird (no wifi) controlling a keezer (kegerator made out of a freezer), and after a power surge it switched to "heating" permanently. Fortunately the only loss there was lukewarm beer that didn't age as well as it could have (obviously still drank it anyway lol) since there was nothing plugged into the "heating" side,but just food for thought. At the very least use a surge protector if your electric service is as terrible as ours is.

I have it connected to a surge protected extension cable anyways, So that should protect it.

 

[FF_Guest1439]

The advice in that video good. But the one thing the video doesn't ask is how many times can a relay can move before it fails. This information is in electrical relay specification sheets. I just looked through one and it was rated at 20,000,000. 20 million cycles for a mechanical cycle rating. So if it turns on and off 100 times a day it will last about 547 years. but if you push to much electrical power through the switch it it could fail after 100,000 cycles or even one cycle. And then you also have to factor in the temperature the relay is operating in. If you design it right it will last decades. Get it wrong and it won't last long.

In my job we had relay s that were failing after only a one or two of years of operation. We eventually found it was running at a higher temperature than what we expected and we had small a voltage current spike going though it. We corrected both of those issues in the redesign and it simply didn't fail until the design became obsolete many years later. But you don't have to take my word. Ask your self how often have you replaced your refrigerator or your home heater thermostat? They also use relays to turn them on and off. The fridge in my home is came with the house when i moved in 15 years ago.

Hmmm, thanks for the info. What I would say is, how go can the relay be on a what, no more than £20 aquarium heater. It was hardly top of the line. Mid even lol

 

[FF_Guest1439]

PS I really appreciate it when smart people are willing to share their knowledge and explain things in a nice and understandable way

I couldn't agree more. Though, without knowing them. you're still taking it on faith, that they are not talking out their arses still Not that I saying he was. People are more likely to trust a YouTubers with more than half a million subscribers, who works in the aquarium industry and own his own aquarium shop, over someone in a comments section. Though as StevenF said, He never specified how many times a relay can move before it fails.
Though as I said, if it's a cheap part, which most in the aquarium hobby would buy (IE heater) would likely fail sooner, over a mid to high end heater

 

[FF_Guest1439]

Why do you need an ink bird? Doesn't the heater/thermostat control the temperature of the aquarium on its own.

With an InkBird, you can set a heater range. That means, if it takes an hr to heat the aquarium water 3degrees, it will take at least 3times that to cool down. Saving on electricity.

I can also set a temp range. My heater only comes on about 2 to 3 times a day.

The other reason was for heater longevity, but I may have been a little ill-informed on that matter.

 

[663]

Yeah, did it by the app only. It just took time to figure out which setting meant what, as that wasn't so clear.

I'm trying to setup the unit with a new phone. Since you had an easy time, maybe my phone will make a difference for me.

 

[663]

I'm seeing screens that I didn't see with my old phone as well as a SSID. It's a mystery but things are looking up.!

 

[663]

Why do you need an ink bird? Doesn't the heater/thermostat control the temperature of the aquarium on its own.

If I understand your question correctly, the Inkbird thermostat is precise in temperature control. Moreso than any heater/thermostat combo I've owned. Also,I'd guess that many people use a heater that doesn't have a built-in thermostat like I do.

Mac, WiFi is working for me now. It's just like you said: Once I figured what the unit wanted I was cool. I'm thinking that my now defunct 6-year old phone caused some initial problems as well. For now at least I give the unit 5of5.

 

[itiwhetu]

I understand now. I thought you plugged a heater/thermostat into it. I can understand now you just plug a heater into it that makes sense

 

[663]

Sweet! I'm glad I could help.

 

[FF_Guest1439]

If I understand your question correctly, the Inkbird thermostat is precise in temperature control. Moreso than any heater/thermostat combo I've owned. Also,I'd guess that many people use a heater that doesn't have a built-in thermostat like I do.

Mac, WiFi is working for me now. It's just like you said: Once I figured what the unit wanted I was cool. I'm thinking that my now defunct 6-year old phone caused some initial problems as well. For now at least I give the unit 5of5.

Ahh that's good then. I do like the ability to track the up and down temps through the app too. I also have an energy tracking smart plug to track my power usage. Which can range from the low 1KWH to no more than 2.5KWH for my hole aquarium setup. That being a heater, InkBird, plant light, a Fluval 207 external filter and a Fluval internal filter (Just brought the external less than a month ago, so needs to age) Plus my broadband router, and Alexa hub

 

[663]

Ahh that's good then. I do like the ability to track the up and down temps through the app too. I also have an energy tracking smart plug to track my power usage. Which can range from the low 1KWH to no more than 2.5KWH for my hole aquarium setup. That being a heater, InkBird, plant light, a Fluval 207 external filter and a Fluval internal filter (Just brought the external less than a month ago, so needs to age) Plus my broadband router, and Alexa hub

It's great actually. There was something about the way you described you're experiences with the 306a. I didn't want to chicken-out so I gave it another try. BTW, it's good to see someone else who enjoys fish AND tech. I wasn't aware of energy monitoring plugs. Having them all over the place should be endlessly fun ($). I get to test 306 monitoring from a good distance tomorrow, with a good phone! Life is okay...

I get to