RK question for existing users

[pecan2phat]

I'm trying to see if the Reef Keeper will work for my application.

Has anyone used the RK with a chiller pulling 6 amps and IC ballast with no issues for power draw?

My concern was the specs of 6 amps per channel and a total max of 15 amps.

Since most chiller manufacturers recommend that the chiller be placed on a dedicated circuit, I was worried that since the RK can only be put on one circuit with all other equipment such as MH lighting, have users blown the fuses on the RK or even the fuses on their chillers?

With my 1/4 hp chiller @ 5.9 amps (haven't even considered the startup amp pull)
dual IC 250 w ballast @ 2.26 amps x 2
IC 660 @ 1.9 amps (only using 2 x 110 w bulb configuration)

Just the chiller and lights puts me at 12.32 amps without return or closed loop pumps.

I like the AC Jr with the DC-4 that you can plug into different circuits but just to get a backlit base not including the PH probe and with two heavy duty DC-4s is double the price of a Reef Keeper.

Any comments and thoughts?

[Entropy]

I would say go with the full version of the Aquacontroller. I don't think the Jr. or the RK is going to fit your needs.

[CCG]

Having had all 3 I would agree with that.

Colin

[pecan2phat]

Oh well,
There goes the "affordable controller", thanks guys!

[pecan2phat]

Just out of curiousity,

Is it the chiller that I am trying to control that limits me from the Reef Keeper and the Aqua Controller Jr?

[CCG]

IMO You will have too much running off of one circuit with a real possibility of blowing the RK fuse or the breaker. Second every time the Chiller comes on the RK may think the power has shut off and shut off your MH lights (I have had this happen and it’s annoying although not with a chiller) you may get away with an AC JR simply because the load can be split between multiple circuits. The AC JR is a new product and all the bugs have not been worked out yet. HTH

Colin

[CCG]

You know if you split off some on the load onto another circuit then there is know reason not to use the RK for something’s. I just don’t think it will handle all of it.

Colin

[clido01]

If you want to run everything from the RK, you can wire up a relay box and use the RK to turn the relay on/off and the power that the relay controls is fed through another plug/circuit. There is a discussion back in January in this forum between George??? and myself (both owners of RK)and he describes it better there. I've wired a similiar relay/power line for my remote control on stereo/entertainment center and it has worked for 15+ yrs without replacing the relays. I will be making another 1 or 2 for my RK shortly as I can't possibly put all the power thru 1 RK at the moment without using. HTH