DIY temperature controller - ITC 1000

[cmcoker]

I am about to start up my quarantine tank that is on the second floor of my home, it can get a little warm up there and with summer approaching wanted an inexpensive way to cool and heat the tank.
I have also found myself burning through heaters in quarantine, I don't know if it's the constant cleaning after using TTM or what, but they like to overheat.

So looking around I found several threads on using the ITC 1000 temperature controller.

The build I followed can be found here:
http://spec-tanks.com/how-to-make-an-aquarium-temperature-controller/

For the basic build you need:
ITC 1000 temperature controller
computer power cable or similar
Electric outlet
Project box
Wire nut

Tools:
Small screwdriver
Dremel or something for cutting project box
Wire cutter/stripper
Drill

Since I wanted to be able to have a few temperature sensors, I have also added in a audio jack to be able to swap the sensors out as needed, more on that later.

 

[cmcoker]

I used a 7 x 4 x 3 inch project box, so I decide to mount the controller on the end.

With the electric outlets on the top, I used #6-32 x 1/2in flat Phillips with nuts to mount the outlet on the top of the box, leaving it loose until all wiring was done:

 

[cmcoker]

Wired everything up according to the wiring diagram in the linked build above, with the exception of wiring the temperature sensor to a 3/32 jack and mounting that on the box. The jack is just visible in this pic, white arrow points it out:

 

[redfishbluefish]

Looks very interesting.....always love the DIY stuff. Following along as a possible controller for making (and heating) new saltwater.

 

[cmcoker]

I then soldered the sensor to a 3/32 plug, these are what I used:

I should note, I had to grind down the inside of the project box where I placed the jack, the thickness of the box prevented me from screwing the ring on to secure it otherwise

 

[fragit]

Following along on this DIY for sure!!!

 

[cmcoker]

Finished product:

The sensor is working well, I plugged it up and threw the sensor in my sump, it's off about a half a degree from my temperature monitor in the display. The controller is able to be calibrated if needed but is only one degree increments in Fahrenheit so I'm happy with that.

I used a electrical tester to check power to the individual outlets, and it is working perfectly so far.

One outlet is powered if the temperature falls below the temperature set point, the other outlet is powered if it rises above the set point.

I plan to order another ntc thermistor from Amazon for another $8 (shipping included) , and will wire it to another 3/32 plug and have interchangeable sensors for the quarantine tank.

 

[cmcoker]

I pulled a couple of these fans off a busted wine fridge:

plan to wire it up to a wall wort I have and use it for evaporative cooling. The grate should allow me to set it on the tanks eggcrate cover and the quick connect will allow me to swap them out and allow to dry them during quarantine as well. I'll probably rewire the quick connect to be farther away from the tank

 

[cmcoker]

Looks very interesting.....always love the DIY stuff. Following along as a possible controller for making (and heating) new saltwater.

Thanks, I liked the idea that it could kick on a fan or something for cooling as well, for the price of a temperature controller that only does heat.

I am currently mixing some salt for a water change and plan to put it on my mixing container as a trial run without any livestock involved.

 

[cmcoker]

Plugged in and set for 78°F, heater is on

Other aquarium thermometer for comparison

 

[fragit]

Looks pretty sweet!!! Did you happen to ready any reviews on the control box? Just wondering how long it will function properly, and if regular calibrations are needed.

 

[ngvu1]

I like it

[URL='http://www.fileformat.info/info/emoji/thumbsup/index.htm']:thumbsup:[/URL]

:thumbsup:
Dont know how to do the thumbs up code yet.

 

[cmcoker]

Looks pretty sweet!!! Did you happen to ready any reviews on the control box? Just wondering how long it will function properly, and if regular calibrations are needed.

Yeah, Ive been looking at these off and on the last six months or so. Lots of the home brewing guy use them on their kegerators, and most of what I read was on those forums but i have found them for aquarium use as well.
From what I understand the temp sensor uses resistance to calculate the temp. I think 10k at 25°C is the standard it's working from.. So from my reading I will be checking the calibration for each sensor I use as they may vary.

I did not see a lot of complaints on calibration from what I read on the home brew sites.

I also plan to use a glass thermometer for comparison as well.

 

[ngvu1]

I used something similar, ST-1000 or something like that, but it is in Celsius degree, not Fahrenheit ; Worked for 3 years without any problem. make sure the temp probe is plastic, not the "stainless steel"; those rust after 1 year.

 

[fragit]

@cmcoker How much time and $$$ would you say you invested. I'm going to be using two 300watt heaters on my 120. Building 2 of those boxes puts me at around $60 bucks according to the link you gave. Just trying to figure if a ReefKeeper would be a better investment long term.

 

[cmcoker]

@cmcoker How much time and $$$ would you say you invested. I'm going to be using two 300watt heaters on my 120. Building 2 of those boxes puts me at around $60 bucks according to the link you gave. Just trying to figure if a ReefKeeper would be a better investment long term.

I'd say $45 cause I didn't have wire nuts and added the audio jack, my amazon ticket was $38 for controller, outlet, cord (which I had already cut before finding an old one around the house ) , project box.

I think it could power more than one heater, it's just how would you wire it.. Guess you could leave the cold relay unused and not break the connection on the outlet.. Maybe some way to use 2 outlets but I have no idea how to correctly wire that.. I read someone used a 3 outlet plug to plug two things into one outlet but I wouldn't advise that. Try and stay away from a plug in a plug in a plug, etc

Here's the power the relays can handle

I should say I am no electrician, everything I've done is self taught, do any of these projects at your own risk!

It probably took me less than an hour to put together.

 

[cmcoker]

I used something similar, ST-1000 or something like that, but it is in Celsius degree, not Fahrenheit ; Worked for 3 years without any problem. make sure the temp probe is plastic, not the "stainless steel"; those rust after 1 year.

Yep, that's why I didn't go with the pre-built one, all the probes are metal.
And the build I linked is using the ST model but the build is the same as ITC model

 

[fragit]

Couldn't you just cheat the controller and have set the parameters to turn on the cooling outlet at the same time as the heating outlet? It's a machine after all, for now they still do what we tell them to do right?

 

[cmcoker]

Couldn't you just cheat the controller and have set the parameters to turn on the cooling outlet at the same time as the heating outlet? It's a machine after all, for now they still do what we tell them to do right?

Well it only has one temperature you set it to, then you set the allowed variance, minimum is 1°F.
The hot or cold relay is triggered once the temperature moves out of that range.

If you look in the build link, you have to break the connection on the "hot" side of the outlet to separate the outlets to hot and cold. You could just leave the tab intact and only use it to control the heaters, using both outlets controlled by the heat relay.

I believe it beeps when out of range (I'll go check it shortly) so then it may give you an over temp alarm at least.

Someone smarter than me may be able to tell you how to correctly wire two outlets to the controller, while I may know enough to kinda figure it out I really don't want to be wrong with main power involved.

Here's a link for a thread with a diagram connecting two outlets, just make sure you are not running more than ten amps through it [emoji15] I found it Googling itc 1000 two outlets.. these builds are all over the home brewer forums

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=330427