Anyone experience bringing back chiller from Hk?

[cairocks]

Hi, I was searching for a chiller recently and is close to getting a Resun CL280 or a Teco micro. But there is a recent discussion in this forum about the lack of power of the Teco micro, which left me looking at the Resun set with great interest. My set up is a 2ft 90l set. A friend from Hk had told me that he had found the CL280 at Guangzhou at RMB$1000 and the Teco micro at HKD 1900+. As I will be going over to Hong Kong later in May, it had become a very attractive option to get a chiller on the way back. Wonder anyone had experience bring back a chiller from Hongkong? Dun think the CL280 is small enuf to bring on board as hand carry. Not too sure how would those luggage handlers handle such delicated package. Hope someone could shed some light on such venture. Thanks.

[Rupert]

I have bought in a chiller from HK [TECO TR-10], I cannot remember the exact weight with the packaging but it was about 14.5 kg, which I checked in [Cathay pacific] and asked them to stick fragile stickers all over it.

The shop where I bought the chiller from was aware that I was bringing it to Singapore, he highlighted that airlines can “drop” your items and chiller internal mounts for the large suspended parts can break. That said I had no problems.

I have bought back 4ft lights as well and check them in and had no problems. Reputable airlines in Asia are ok. HOWEVER... I once had a brand new item checked-in with a secure case that on arrival was bent and deformed. The airline [Air New Zealand] said it wasn’t broken. Technically correct it was bent & non functioning, but not broken.

The Airlines are getting strict on hand carry weight and dimension, Economy Class = 5kg Business Class = 7kg, excluding laptops. On my last flight many passenger had to return to check in as their hand carry was too big [dimension wise].

[benny]

The Teco Micro is pack small enough for hand carry. But recent improvement in technology seems to have side track this model.

Cheers,

[cairocks]

I have bought in a chiller from HK [TECO TR-10], I cannot remember the exact weight with the packaging but it was about 14.5 kg, which I checked in [Cathay pacific] and asked them to stick fragile stickers all over it.

The shop where I bought the chiller from was aware that I was bringing it to Singapore, he highlighted that airlines can “drop” your items and chiller internal mounts for the large suspended parts can break. That said I had no problems.

I have bought back 4ft lights as well and check them in and had no problems. Reputable airlines in Asia are ok. HOWEVER... I once had a brand new item checked-in with a secure case that on arrival was bent and deformed. The airline [Air New Zealand] said it wasn’t broken. Technically correct it was bent & non functioning, but not broken.

The Airlines are getting strict on hand carry weight and dimension, Economy Class = 5kg Business Class = 7kg, excluding laptops. On my last flight many passenger had to return to check in as their hand carry was too big [dimension wise].

Thanks for your reply. Humm....will probably look into the TR-10 too while in HK. Since the HK warranty is not easily available here, might consider to get a more established brand. Convenient to disclose the price in HK? PM me if it is not good to disclose it here. Thanks

[alanyeo99]

a note on transporting chiller. MAKE SURE IT IS UPRIGHT! There is a layer of oil (inside the compressor) for it's operation. If the compressor is tilted for an extensive period (say half-hr), the oil leaks out and flow out into other chamber/area. When this happens, the compressor will fail or does not function properly. Therefore always keep the compressor upright, and never on it's side.

This is what I've learnt from the refrigeration experts.

[cairocks]

a note on transporting chiller. MAKE SURE IT IS UPRIGHT! There is a layer of oil (inside the compressor) for it's operation. If the compressor is tilted for an extensive period (say half-hr), the oil leaks out and flow out into other chamber/area. When this happens, the compressor will fail or does not function properly. Therefore always keep the compressor upright, and never on it's side.

This is what I've learnt from the refrigeration experts.

Yup, how the luggage handlers handle it is a concern and it seems pretty out of our control other than pasting "this side up" and "fragile" stickers all over teh box.

[curahee]

Wow i'm going hk next week will wanna get teco micro but is it cheaper compare to singapore?

[Rupert]

Wow i'm going hk next week will wanna get teco micro but is it cheaper compare to singapore?

IF I remember correctly the Teco Micro is about $HK1900 the people I was dealing with considered it an expensive toy, not highly recommend, but they stocked it because people continued to buy it even after their best advice.

$HK1900 = about $SG400, another brand [Resun] using similar technology was about $SG200. Do a search as there was quite a lengthy discussion in the forum a few months ago

[alanyeo99]

Buying aquarium equipment from HK is cheaper than in Singapore because HK is tax-free. In my experience, generally up to 10% cheaper. However weighing other factors such as warranty & service support (plus how to exchange if not working), lugging a big box back, transportation risk, subject to checks & possibly need to pay tax at Singapore's ICQ, I wouldn't go for it.

[spinex]

Rupert got a pretty good price for his Teco. I think the similiar model would cost around $600++ in SG (anyone can confirm ??)

As for the Resun CL280. Yes it's around $180-200 SGD in China. But in SG you could get it in Petmart for $280 and 6 months warranty included. To me i would rather get it in SG if i were to buy Resun. The hassle to bring it over + no warranty ..etc doesn't make it worth while to save $80.

If you are going for Teco like Rupert it's will be more worthwhile. Depend a lot on your budget.

Teco Micro is based on peltier technology. Definitely not enough for your 2ft tank with 90L. Just forget about it. This also applies for Resun CL80 or CL150 which is also using peltier.