Anyone have an InkBird Heater Controller fail?

[Fish Fan]

What do you have the heater difference set at?

What do you mean, the set points on the InkBird? T1 is 77.5F and T2 is 80.0F

 

[Fish Fan]

I definitely would. No reason to let them waste

I've been working towards getting a 150 going for seriously about a year now, but that tank IS coming, so that's what the Ranco's were for. I might as well use one here, and I can replace it for the 150 WHEN that tank sees water. I did get both of mine used (I see them for sale often), and I just need to double check I have a good waterproof probe setup.

Do you use the Ranco/Aqua Logic, are these your preferred heater controller? Is there anything else worth looking at?

 

[rtparty]

I've been working towards getting a 150 going for seriously about a year now, but that tank IS coming, so that's what the Ranco's were for. I might as well use one here, and I can replace it for the 150 WHEN that tank sees water. I did get both of mine used (I see them for sale often), and I just need to double check I have a good waterproof probe setup.

Do you use the Ranco/Aqua Logic, are these your preferred heater controller? Is there anything else worth looking at?

I use one on both tanks. They have been amazing and rock solid for years. I think both of mine of 4-5 years old now

 

[Dirtyshoez]

What do you mean, the set points on the InkBird? T1 is 77.5F and T2 is 80.0F

Check under your settings. Mine was acting funky and it just took time of setting the difference. It basically tells the heat when to turn back on after turning off so if it drops within whatever degree you have it set at it turns back on and will keep doing that depending on how close it is set.

 

[Dirtyshoez]

Mine was being a pain in my butt until I finally dialed in, but I had no idea about it.

 

[Fish Fan]

I use one on both tanks. They have been amazing and rock solid for years. I think both of mine of 4-5 years old now

Yeah, the Rancos are rock solid, industrial grade, and highly regarded in other hobbies too.

What are you using for probes?

Thanks for your help, RT!

 

[Gone Reefin’]

What do you mean, the set points on the InkBird? T1 is 77.5F and T2 is 80.0F

Why so far apart? To avoid constant power cycling? These setting will result in a 2.5 degree constant fluctuation.

 

[Fish Fan]

Mine was being a pain in my butt until I finally dialed in, but I had no idea about it.

Thank you for your help! Mine has been working flawlessly with these settings for about 6 months, so I think the settings are fine, I believe my unit just died

 

[Fish Fan]

Why so far apart? To avoid constant power cycling? These setting will result in a 2.5 degree constant fluctuation.

My bad, HUGE typo

My settings are T1=77.5F and T2=78.0F. That's the tightest you can set this InkBird.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Gone Reefin’]

My bad, HUGE typo

My settings are T1=77.5F and T2=78.0F. That's the tightest you can set this InkBird.

Thank you for your reply!

Got it, that makes sense. As long as your high temp alarm is not set too close to 78, I agree this unit has issues. Good luck!

 

[rtparty]

Yeah, the Rancos are rock solid, industrial grade, and highly regarded in other hobbies too.

What are you using for probes?

Thanks for your help, RT!

The Aqua Logic come wired with a titanium probe meant for our tanks

 

[Fish Fan]

The Aqua Logic come wired with a titanium probe meant for our tanks

Yes, I did know that, but the Ranco controllers are a lot cheaper with the same internals as the Aqua Logics. I got both my Ranco's second hand and they both came with probes, but I don't know if these were used in a wet environment. I was planning to just get new probes for them, and waterproofing them for aquarium use if needed. Thanks again for your help, it's always appreciated!

 

[rtparty]

Yes, I did know that, but the Ranco controllers are a lot cheaper with the same internals as the Aqua Logics. I got both my Ranco's second hand and they both came with probes, but I don't know if these were used in a wet environment. I was planning to just get new probes for them, and waterproofing them for aquarium use if needed. Thanks again for your help, it's always appreciated!

I’ve seen a lot of people shrink wrap or even silicone the probes to keep the SW from ruining them. Works great

 

[EliteReefing1023]

I have never had an inkbird fail on me and those people that I see them fail use them for years on end until they fail. These equipment are not meant for continuous usage for 5-6 years.

I would recommend switching out the inkbird for a brand new one every 2-3 years, just like how you would switch out your heater every 2-3 years.

A new inkbird is what? $30 shipped? I swap them out along with a brand new heater every 2-3 years no matter if they are in perfect working order or not.

 

[Fish Fan]

I’ve seen a lot of people shrink wrap or even silicone the probes to keep the SW from ruining them. Works great

Yes sir, I've seen the same OK, looks like a Ranco it is! Thanks again, RT!!!

 

[Fish Fan]

I have never had an inkbird fail on me and those people that I see them fail use them for years on end until they fail. These equipment are not meant for continuous usage for 5-6 years.

I would recommend switching out the inkbird for a brand new one every 2-3 years, just like how you would switch out your heater every 2-3 years.

A new inkbird is what? $30 shipped? I swap them out along with a brand new heater every 2-3 years no matter if they are in perfect working order or not.

Great reply, thank you for your help! I was a little bummed that I didn't get but 6 months out of my InkBird, when I've had $20 budget heaters with built in thermostats last longer. In fact, one of those is heating this tank temporarily right now

 

[Euphyllia098]

Did you verify the temperature? I've seen the calibration drift on the inkbird and was easily solved by adjusting the calibration. You should always have a secondary method to verify temperature.

I bought a Hanna thermometer and it's come in handy more times than I can count.

My inkbird starting giving me high temperature faults and I thought my heater went bad. So I bought a new heater and it did the same thing. So then I checked the actual temperature and the calibration had somehow drifted and was .8 degrees off. Recalibrated to the proper temperature and the problem was solved.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Hey guys!

I've got a newer 25 gallon tank that has been nothing but a headache for me, and I'm getting kind of frustrated with it

The latest issue appears to be a faulty InkBird controller, has anyone else had one of these fail?

I purchased an InkBird ITC-306A V4 on April 8th, it was brand new, but purchased from an eBay vendor, so maybe this was a knock off unit??
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153639019605
It has worked flawlessly since I got it until yesterday. I have a single BRS Titanium Heating Element plugged into the InkBird, and my Robo-Tank aquarium controller backs up the InkBird (fortunately!). I try to run my tank about 78F, my InkBird is set to cut off for a high temp at 80F, and my Robo-Tank system will shut the InkBird down altogether if the tank temp goes over 80.6F.

Starting yesterday, the InkBird high temp alarm was going off. The water would heat to 80.6F, then Robo-Tank shuts down the power outlet the InkBird is plugged into. The water cools some, the InkBird gets powered back on until it heats again to 80.6F when the tank controller shuts it off. Repeat cycle.

So it would seem to me that the InBird itself is malfunctioning and constantly powering the heater. Has anyone seen this before? Is my InkBird just shot after barely 6 months of use?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I have had one fail that was only about 9 months old at the time. Luckily it failed to turn on. It did give me a low temperature alarm so that was good. I just replaced it with another and now keep one on hand, just in case.

 

[Fish Fan]

Did you verify the temperature? I've seen the calibration drift on the inkbird and was easily solved by adjusting the calibration. You should always have a secondary method to verify temperature.

I bought a Hanna thermometer and it's come in handy more times than I can count.

My inkbird starting giving me high temperature faults and I thought my heater went bad. So I bought a new heater and it did the same thing. So then I checked the actual temperature and the calibration had somehow drifted and was .8 degrees off. Recalibrated to the proper temperature and the problem was solved.

Yes, I have the Hanna Check Temp1 I tend to refer to, as well as an aquarium controller with a calibrated temp probe.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Fish Fan]

I have had one fail that was only about 9 months old at the time. Luckily it failed to turn on. It did give me a low temperature alarm so that was good. I just replaced it with another and now keep one on hand, just in case.

Hmmm, I was expecting more from these units, but maybe not. I don't think I'll risk another InkBird

Thanks for your help!