OK The instructions seem easy enough. I’m using a Ranco 2-Stage Temp Controller on a commercial 2-door lab fridge, which I’m trying to use as a fermenter. The thing just stares at me. I’m trying to cool to 65F and the ambient temp is 77F. Everything seems plugged in the right way. The fridge works. Any suggestions.
What do you have the differential set at?
Does the temperature display show 77 or is that from another thermometer?
Do you have the heat stage set at a temperature well below the cooling stage so that you dont have a conflict?
The 77F is in the display. I assume it’s the ambient temp. I have the temp probe inside the fridge, in an empty White Labs tube that’s filled with water. I have the cooling set for 65F with a 3 degree differential, and the heating is set for 55F with a 3 degree differential. There shouldn’t be any overlap.
I tried taking the probe out of the water. The fridge starts right up when it’s plugged in directly. Even though I didn’t get it from MoreBeer (got it online from ETC), some reviewers on MoreBeer said their units had a software issue and customer service (which is closed until Monday) was able to resolve it.
Have you tried heating the probe a lot to see if that kicks it on? Hot water for example? You could try it in ice water too, see if that does anything.
It seems like you have everything set up just right. I too bought mine directly from ETC. They had good customer service (last year), so hopefully they can help.
BTW - The probes are waterproof. I either have my probes in water or taped to the carboy.
As far as the Ranco - they are pretty solid machines.
Maybe you have the heating/cooling functions set incorrectly? Or maybe the you’ve set the offset to your temp setpoint instead of the actual temp setting.