Chiller Recommendations...

[Bill S]

Well, I'm facing the fact that I really need a chiller for my system. I've considered buyng a couple that have come up for sale, but I'm a bit gunshy about used equipment. I haven't exactly had a lot of luck with it - for the most part, I've ended up replacing or having repaired just about everything USED I've bought for this tank in the last 12 months.

That being said, I THINK I'm looking for a 1/3 hp in-line unit. My thought is to locate it outside on my deck, but covered from rain and sun exposure, and run lines up thru my ceiling and to the unit outside (otherwise I have to make holes in ROCK...). This necessitates a pump that has a decent head pressure, but once running, the head pressure should disappear. I could just plumb one of my closed loop 1200gph pumps on it.

Anyone have any suggestions for a good quality unit, that will stand up to the outside (heat) environment, that obviously, is a decent buy? In otherwords, with money being important, what would YOU buy?

TIA,

[LoneStar]

Other than the cost difference between smaller and larger horsepower chillers, is there any drawback from using a 'over rated' chiller on a tank?

For instance if Bill got a 1/2 or a 1 hp chiller? Would it not need to cycle as much? Or would it just create problems?

[Bill S]

Actually,on home units, they DON'T recommend that you oversize units. Also, I have a LOT of stuff running as it is. I'm not sure I need a ONE HP unit running! Everything might blow!

[NaCl_H2O]

I like the Pacific Coast chillers also. Note on size, the larger the chiller the higher minimum GPH flow through the coils is needed. If flow is too low for the chiller, it will cycle rapidly. Too much flow is no problem.

I called Pacific Coast tech support when installing mine because I wanted to set mine outside too. If outside temp gets aroound 95 (that happens in SA now & then) the chiller becomes very inefficient. They strongly recommended against putting it outside in S. Texas.

I have the 1HP, which is a large "cube" shape, and I have it on a shelf in the fish room with the backend (hot exhaust) pointed out the window, like a window AC unit. This way the ambient air blowing across the coils is inside temp, and the hot air goes outside.

[bigdscobra]

Pacific Coast all the way!! Had a problem with the fan in mine after a couple of years and they overnighted a new fan motor no questions asked. A+++

[caferacermike]

Actually to much flow IS a problem. You will not effectively remove the heat from the water as it is whizzing by to quickly, same if you take your Tstat out of your cars radiator.

On another note, those of you planning to mount your chiller outside call your manufacturer. Most are designed with an ambient temp of about 80F. If mounted outside in TX, they tend to overheat in the summer. This can lead to the death of a chiller. This can also make your electric bills soar since the chiller is not cooling the water so it runs continuously. Think about this before slamming what I said. It is recommended not to put your chiller in your stand to maximize air flow over the coils right? You don't want to recycle the HOT discharge air over the coils, so why would you want to toss 100F air over the coils outside?

[SACoastie]

I am an a/c tech and ambient temp is vital to a proper running system. If it is placed in a closet it will put off to much heat aroung the unit. If you absolutly must put it outside I suggest putting it where you would have plenty of shade. Wherever you place it the key is plenty of air flow to pass over the condenser coils and to be in the shade. I suggest keeping it inside.

[Bill S]

Hey, I certainly understand the inside/outside thing. However, INSIDE, it's going to put off heat that must then be re-cooled by my AC unit. And frankly, my problems with heat tend to be spring & fall, when the A/C isn't running - more humidity, less effective fans. So then I'm going to have to run my house AC unit(s) when I normally wouldn't. Like right now...

[Ram_Puppy]

Bill,

my brother build a 'hut' for his house AC since it had a western exposure he was getting massive bills in the summer. it's like a little mini - patio with lattice work on the side to break up the sun, and then he planted bushes about a foot out fromt he lattice work (of course leaving a path accessible if the unit needs to be serviced)

it really save dhim a lot of money, so maybe something similar.

another thing to consider for a outside unit would be as reduced as possible amount of plastic, wich will get brittle and crack rapidly in texas weather.

[Bill S]

ALL good thoughts. When I talked to a tech at one of the companies, he said that they design them to run under the tanks - 'cause even though they don't recommend that for installation, too many people do exactly that. He suggested that for outside use, tie a fan into the cover that kicks on when the unit kicks on. He said circulation is the MOST important consideration!

[brewercm]

Mines a drop in Aqua Logic that's in the garage (similar to below link). Although it may work a little harder during summer I've never had a problem with it. Of course it's oversized for the tank and really keeps the temp a nice 79-80. Matter of fact when the stupid controller locked up with both the chiller and heaters powered on my tank went to a nice 56 degrees.

BTW, I'd highly recommend this one also if you were thinking about a drop in. One less pump to heat up the water, and eat up electricity.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AL1219

[Bill S]

Cliff DID bring up a thought on oversizing: A failure of a chiller to turn off that is correctly sized, won't have as drastic an effect as an oversized one.

[hobogato]

my aqua logic 1/3 hp chiller sits outside the house right next to the wall where the end of the tank is on the inside, so i just ran the plumbing and electrical plug thru the wall. then, i made a small box to shelter the chiller from weather (still havent had a chance to paint it yet). i made that box just big enough so that the foam insulation (1/2" blue foam from lowes) fits snugly against the sides and top of the chiller.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/Image003-3.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/Image004-3.jpg