Pls help: how to connect external temp sensor

**sifreaks** · 14th Jul 2009, 13:26

Hi guys, I've just purcahsed a hailea chiller(hc-150a) for my 2 feet tank. I've read and understand from the experience forumers(bro shadow & windcharm)that by installing an external temperature sensor to the chiller will reduce the kicking in period of the chiller. Therefore, I headed down to Sim Lim Tower to purchase the said item. Unfortunately, I'm faced with a setback as to how do I connect the external temperature sensor to the chiller. I tried opening up the chiller casing/ housing but didn't managed to open it fully as I believed that there might be some kind of wiring at the top still hanging on to the casing. Fear that I might screwed up the chiller wiring thus void the warranty, I abandoned the idea to further explore

I would like to seek the help of the pros. whom have gone through this modification to advise and guide me through this process. Thanx

**Cross** · 14th Jul 2009, 14:19

Originally Posted by sifreaks

Hi guys, I've just purcahsed a hailea chiller(hc-150a) for my 2 feet tank. I've read and understand from the experience forumers(bro shadow & windcharm)that by installing an external temperature sensor to the chiller will reduce the kicking in period of the chiller. Therefore, I headed down to Sim Lim Tower to purchase the said item. Unfortunately, I'm faced with a setback as to how do I connect the external temperature sensor to the chiller. I tried opening up the chiller casing/ housing but didn't managed to open it fully as I believed that there might be some kind of wiring at the top still hanging on to the casing. Fear that I might screwed up the chiller wiring thus void the warranty, I abandoned the idea to further explore

I would like to seek the help of the pros. whom have gone through this modification to advise and guide me through this process. Thanx

Hey sifreaks,

Would like to clarify which component did u purchase? the external sensor probe only, or the whole fox thermostat with the sensor probe?

Not sure if i can help much as i am using a resun cl300 with external fox thermostat with sensory probe.Will try to advise you if possible

**Shadow** · 14th Jul 2009, 14:29

I'm assuming you buy the sensor/probe only.

Not sure if I can help since I'm using resun, but the design should be similar. Can you take good photo on where each of the wire running to? fine the wire that goes to the head exchange chamber. Usually a box which is cover with insulator. That cable would be the sensor.

Photo in my blog should be able to help you identify.
http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/2008...5-minutes.html

**sifreaks** · 14th Jul 2009, 15:56

Originally Posted by Cross

Hey sifreaks,

Would like to clarify which component did u purchase? the external sensor probe only, or the whole fox thermostat with the sensor probe?

Not sure if i can help much as i am using a resun cl300 with external fox thermostat with sensory probe.Will try to advise you if possible

hi thanx for responding. I just got my self the external sensor only or shall i get both hmm...

**sifreaks** · 14th Jul 2009, 16:08

Originally Posted by Shadow

I'm assuming you buy the sensor/probe only.

Not sure if I can help since I'm using resun, but the design should be similar. Can you take good photo on where each of the wire running to? fine the wire that goes to the head exchange chamber. Usually a box which is cover with insulator. That cable would be the sensor.

Photo in my blog should be able to help you identify.
http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/2008...5-minutes.html

hi bro robert, yes i just got myself the sensor/ probe only.
like i mentioned earlier there was some kind of resistance when i tried removing the entire casing/ housing.(removing of bottom casing after unscrewing is a breeze but when it reached to the top

) btw, i've yet to test run the chiller as i'm waiting for the cannister which is meant to be run with the chiller. once i do that i'll try to post the photos. btw i did refer to your photos before deciding to purchase the probe. very interesting.

Thanx for responding though appreciate it alot. cheers...

**Shadow** · 14th Jul 2009, 16:15

there are probably some kind of latch at top part, which give you the resistance

**windcharm** · 14th Jul 2009, 17:41

I am using a Hailea chiller - 300A. Not sure if it is the same as Resun/haliea 150A setup. You just need to remove the front cover to fix the external sensor. The front cover is easily removed as it is magnetised (no screw is needed), just need to gently pull is out from the front bottom and the cover is out.

By the way, where do you stay? If it is near by, I can try to drop by to check on your chiller

**Cross** · 14th Jul 2009, 18:05

Hmm not sure if hailea is the same as resun, but mine has 2 sets of wire connectors inside the chiller. There is one that is smaller which connects 1 pair of wires. The other one connects 2 sets. The smaller one is the thermostat, with one end running to the in built circuitry board(at the back of the digital display set)

Regarding to whether to get the complete external thermostat set, the main purpose is to further control the chiller. The fox external thermostat can allow to set the fluctuation of water temp before kicking in the chiller, up to 0.1 difference(eg

reset @ 25.0, to kick in at 25.1). Also the kick in time can be delayed up to 10mins.

there are 2 ways to connect the fox external thermostat for this purpose:

1) directly connecting it to the main power supply, setting the desired temp on fox, whilst keepiing the temp setting on chiller lower so it won't cut off before desired temp is reached(lower than preset on fox)

2)Bypassing the inbuilt circuit board( in other words replacing the inbuilt one with the fox external thermostat)

I am using option 2 for my resun cl300, as i did'nt want to have 2 displays on at the same time. Also the resun will only kick in with a 2 degree difference in preset temp. Using the fox i finetuned it to ~1degree variation

Hope this info helps

**sifreaks** · 15th Jul 2009, 08:49

hi guys thanx for all the inputs. appreciate it a lot. will try dismantling the chiller tonight to try to rectify this issue.

btw bro windcharm, i think the deisgn between the 300a and 150a is quite similar not really much of a diferrent, I maybe wrong though. maybe will try your method of dismantling the front cover to fix the external sensor. I guess you are using the probe/ sensor alone rite?

bro windcharm i'm located in the east, changi area. appreciate your kind gesture. Thanx.

**sifreaks** · 17th Jul 2009, 22:21

hi guys, would like to take this oppurtunity to thanx all the kind souls who have given me the pointers and guidance to sort out the external temp sensor issue. You know who you are

Matter resolved. once again, thanx so much guys appreciate it alot

**windcharm** · 18th Jul 2009, 15:06

Good to know that you have resolved your sensor issue.

**sifreaks** · 18th Jul 2009, 15:25

ya bro. finally. it's been so frustrating all this while but worth the while. thanx once again guys, cheers....

**windcharm** · 18th Jul 2009, 16:01

Care to share how to manage to resolve that? As in how to take out the cover etc?

**sifreaks** · 20th Jul 2009, 20:24

Originally Posted by windcharm

Care to share how to manage to resolve that? As in how to take out the cover etc?

hi bro windcharm, not too sure as to how others will do it(hc 150a) what i did was to remove both front cover and the whole housing/ casing as the sensor wire with the connector is stationed around the top of the housing/ casing thereafter lead to the control module.
another issue i was facing was to replace the external sensor with the stock sensor. as i'm not electrical incline, i'm having a hard time substituting both items. otherwise it's rather easy.

fortunately, i've an acquaintance who is good in this wiring thingy matter. therefore problem solved

hope that helps.