WarDog's Tank Thread : Episodic Trial And Error

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I'm wondering why you want such a big chiller ?

My system is 105G total and I use a 1/10HP
It's only 280 watts and I run it with an Eheim Compact+ 2000

My old 1/4HP was 480 watts and required a minimum 600+ GPH so more power and money on a bigger, noisier pump

Good question Greg. Let me ask you this, on a very hot day how long does your chiller run?

[gregzz4]

Ya ya, it runs longer

When it's hot enough in the house for me to be uncomfortable and can't sleep, I turn on our whole house air and the chiller then doesn't run
So 1800 watts of 24/7 power saves me 300 watts of tank hardware power

My old 1/4HP used to run for 4 mins and this one probably runs for 10, so there goes all my power savings

But, I like using my 1/10HP as it's very quiet. I leave the pump running and never hear it (no stale water in the chiller)
And the setup takes up considerably less space
Plus it and the pump were about $250 less

With a 1/4HP unit at least you won't have to worry about working it too hard
Just be sure it's setup properly so it doesn't short-cycle and burn itself out
I initially had trouble setting up my old one and it would run for about 45 seconds every 4 mins

Oh, plus I had to put the old chiller in my office as we couldn't sleep with it running beside the tank

[WarDog]

Yeah, my logic behind the 1/4 was that it would have to run less to bring the temp down which is less wear and tear on the unit, and less exhausted heat into the room.
As mentioned before my house can get pretty hot and the a/c unit will continue to stay in the bedroom (non-negotiable).
I hear ya on the noise and cost. These are major factors.
Do you know if anyone makes a 1/6 or 1/8 unit?

[gregzz4]

I'm thinking it'll be the same amount of heat regardless of the unit size
You're converting tank water temp into room air temp

I do recall seeing a 1/5 once but nothing local

[gregzz4]

Correction

J&L sells Aqualogic 1/5HP in either a drop-in or inline, but they're a grand

They have the Ecoplus on sale right now, but you can always buy it Boxing Day

[daplatapus]

I know nothing about chillers, but what burns out motors and compressors is the amount they turn on and off more so than the amount of time they run. If you have to choose, choose longer run time than more cycles.

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Correction

J&L sells Aqualogic 1/5HP in either a drop-in or inline, but they're a grand

They have the Ecoplus on sale right now, but you can always buy it Boxing Day

I've seen those, they look nice, but I'd have to hook myself to afford that. Sadly I'd make no money, lol.

Originally Posted by daplatapus

I know nothing about chillers, but what burns out motors and compressors is the amount they turn on and off more so than the amount of time they run. If you have to choose, choose longer run time than more cycles.

Good to know... thanks daplatapus, and gregzz4 for all the info! It was suggested to me, by an 'expert', that I should be using a 1/4hp minimum.
That being said, I always thought I could get away with a 1/10. Glad to have my conceptions corrected on this forum!