Thermostats for tanks other than dyes

[blackcote]

I've been kicking around an idea in my head for a while and was wondering if anyone here has come up with a similar solution already. Caswell thermostats work great for the temperture range they were designed for, but for my cleaner, sealer and ano tank... they don't really apply (unless they could be modified?). So I'm thinking of using a line voltage thermostat with remote sensing probe from mcmaster or grainger. While I'm sure this would work... what I'd really like to have is a programmable line voltage thermostat with remote sensing probe. (So I don't need a seperate thermometer to see the temp at a glance.) Unfortunately I can't seem to find a product like this.

So my question is what have others done for there tanks that need higer or lower temps than the range that caswell's thermostats provide for? Thanks.

[acidrain]

I use a baseboard heater thermostat for my ano tank (~68F), and hotwater tank thermostats for the higher temperatures.
They don't hold the temperature to within one or two degrees like I would prefer, but they are cheap. The hot tanks are no biggie, but the ano tank is heated to my target temp, then it automatically turns off... further monitoring is done manually.
I monitor the temps with simple indoor/outdoor digital thermometers with the outside sensor placed directly on the side of the tanks.
My Polar bear chiller has it's own built-in thermostat that switches on at 2deg over target, and off at 2deg under. It also has an auxilary 110v out that could control a heater.
4deg swing is quite a bit, but acceptable to me.

[blackcote]

Originally Posted by acidrain

I use a baseboard heater thermostat for my ano tank (~68F), and hotwater tank thermostats for the higher temperatures.

Did you use something to put in the tank for remote sensing on these (not for the thermometers)? (Dumb question I guess... as I'm pretty sure baseboard heater thermostats have internal air sensing only), or do you just have them attached (taped, glued or something) to the side of the tank?

[acidrain]

Yes, exactly, I have them attached to te exterior of the tank, then insulations over the outside of those.

[blackcote]

In case anyone else is interested... I Finally found what I was looking for and they're even reasonably priced IMO. Not quite as cheap as caswell's thermostats, but seems like a nice product for temp control and monitoring in one unit.

mcmaster 1760K77
grainger 3ZP77

ebay has the grainger style which can be had for slightly less there. Only question I have yet is does the remote sensor have to be placed in a stainless tube or similar to protect it from the chemicals or will it be OK with direct contact? I'll have to shoot some emails and find out.

[acidrain]

Good find!
SS housing won't work... it will need to be titanium, aluminum, glass or lead.
I don't see why you couldn't just attach the probe to the exterior of the tank as long as it's insulated.

[blackcote]

Originally Posted by acidrain

Good find!
I don't see why you couldn't just attach the probe to the exterior of the tank as long as it's insulated.

Good point. Just that there would be a slight delay and offset for transmission of heat through the tank. but I don't imagine it'd be too problematic for cleaners and sealers. I'd wan't a little faster response on the ano tank if I could choose though.

[acidrain]

Originally Posted by blackcote

Good point. Just that there would be a slight delay and offset for transmission of heat through the tank. but I don't imagine it'd be too problematic for cleaners and sealers. I'd wan't a little faster response on the ano tank if I could choose though.

You know what, I wasn't even thinking about tanks other than ano... That probe should be fine in the cleaner and dyes. Probably fine in the de-smut too, but check to be sure it's at least liquid safe.
I tried looking for product info on the McMaster site, but didn't see any.

[blackcote]

For the grainger part #.... it looks like it's not going to work without a bit of extra work. Should of figured as it was in the HVAC section. This is the manufacture's response.

The termister is made of silicon and is made to sense air - It does not like liquids - We do not have a senser that does like liqiuds.

Need a bulb well or tape it fast to outside and figure an offset temp to set it at. Not much of a fan of the latter... becuase I can essentially do the same thing cheaper with two pieces of equipment (thermostat & remote thermometer) Still have to email mcmaster yet to see about theirs.