[guido]

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.

[klickitat jim]

Hmmm wish I was there to see it. Are you sure you have fridge plugged into the correct stage?

[guido]

Hmmm wish I was there to see it. Are you sure you have fridge plugged into the correct stage?

Yep, fridge is plugged into the S1 outlet and set up as C1 for cooling.

[klickitat jim]

I wonder if they got the labels wrong. Maybe try swapping them.

[Pinski]

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?

[guido]

I wonder if they got the labels wrong. Maybe try swapping them.

Tried switching

[guido]

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.

[klickitat jim]

It's either programmed wrong, broken, or the fridge is broken.

Plug a lamp into it. Good bulb and turned on. See if it turns the bulb on when it should be turning the fridge on

[klickitat jim]

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 don't think you want the probe wet.

I set mine with both heat and cool at 65 with 2° diff. If it's warm out I just unplug my heat source

[guido]

It's either programmed wrong, broken, or the fridge is broken.

Plug a lamp into it. Good bulb and turned on. See if it turns the bulb on when it should be turning the fridge on

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.

[klickitat jim]

Hopefully that solves it. This kind of stuff drives me up the wall. I hate when I get something home and it doesn't work.

[guido]

Hopefully that solves it. This kind of stuff drives me up the wall. I hate when I get something home and it doesn't work.

Appreciated your ideas, though.

[klickitat jim]

[tschmidlin]

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.

[guido]

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.

At this point, I am grasping at straws.  I think I'll have to return it for another one.