ranco controller temp is off

[mh-brews]

i installed this controller (RANCO ETC-111000) on my contential keg cooler becuase the controller that was in it was like at 34 degrees on it lowest setting.

I noticed after i hooked it up it said the temp was about 3-4 degrees hotter than what my fluke multimeter AND my kitchen temp probe (that i used for brewing) said. The fluke and the temp probe are less than a degree apart. I loosely ziptied the three probes together (ranco, fluke and kitchen) togther. This was to make sure it wasn't a location thing.
the line is run almost exactly like the one was before. i am wondering if that is some of the problem:the controller is monted on the side of the unit and the temp probe wire goes inisde the unit over to the side and to the top and along the condenser and ot the fan bracket. the cable is not stretched. if could be pinched or something.

The probes are located right in the middle of where the towers are.
1) if the line goign to the probe was "pinched" would it affect the reading ?
2) if the line goes by the condenser would it affect it ?


the controller works fine other wise-cycles power on and off (except the tower fans)

and advice is awsome !:rockin:

 

[JuanMoore]

Depending on the probe type, close proximity to a live electrical line with current flowing through can effect the probe readings. Does the probe line run next to the power cord for the fridge or anything?

 

[samc]

Not sure if this applies in this case, but some probes don't do well measuring ambient temps. Have you tried an ice water test?

 

[mh-brews]

thanks for the replies:

i compared it to my johnson and my johnson is spot on. I rerouted the probe to away from from heat sources and cool sources and it is still off. I will see if i can contact ranco and ask them about it.

ice water test is next..

otherwise i will set the temp 3 degrees higher than i want

 

[mh-brews]

ok here is what i think i figured out and will try:

it appears the fans blowing on the probe was affecting how it read. I put my fluke probe and the ranco probe in the some ice water inside the fridge and they read the same. I will run the probe in a bottle of water for a few days and see how it does. it did take a while to get the water down to 38 degrees i adjust the differen to 4 degrees.

i will monitor the operations for a day or 2 and see how it runs.

 

[AlphaKing11]

how is it running brews? I just finish my keezer conversion..it has a digital temp of its own that is reading a lot higher than the ranco..just hasnt had time to stabilize..I am set at 37F with 5deg diff with probe in a 2liter bottle