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[mlappin]

Used a Ranco for the high temp cutout on my waste oil boiler.

Easy to program and wire, seems like a popular controller.

[shepherd boy]

Heatmaster used a few Love controls and they were trouble. Switched back to Ranco on conventional units. Ranco is simpler and more reliable.

[Chicken farmer]

So far, this year I haven't had any trouble with my Love controller, but last year I changed out 2 of them. I have a spare on the shelf as well as 2 spare solenoids (changed 1 this year). I'll be interested to hear what Slim has to say about the Ranco controller. Maybe that will be a good summer project. I'll be adding an over temp aquastat after this season also.


Link to Ranco controller with Nema 4X encolsure:

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Ranco-ETC-141000-000-Single-Stage-ETC-Temperature-Control-w-Sensor-120-240V-Input-Plastic-Enclosure

[slimjim]

I think the Ranco is a far better choice than the Love control, simpler to wire, I typically don't need my glasses to see the terminals.

[U.P. Doug]

Sounds like a good summer project for me as well, install the Ranco and I have been thinking about installing an actuator in place of the solenoid.

[mlappin]

Sounds like a good summer project for me as well, install the Ranco and I have been thinking about installing an actuator in place of the solenoid.

Do you need a battery back up then like Natures Comfort uses on their GT6000 to close the actuator in case of power failure?

[intensedrive]

Holly crap, tried replacing the love control tonight 10 degrees, wires were rigid as heck.  Took me 2 hours as the wires kept popping out of the terminals, it is no lie ridgewood leaves you no slack, what a nightmare.  Its in there and wired but not to my satisfaction waiting for the warmer weather next week to make it right.  Made sure no wires were toughing one another, its close but should buy me some time for warmer temps.  I must be a amateur... Towards the end No feeling in my hands.... Had to redo the process probably 10 times... Every time I went to place the controller back in and screw it down something popped loose.  Good thing I had a jug of beer to keep me sane... Swearing all the way for natural gas tonight.

  Damn near 2am... Got the beast up to 180 degrees damper kicked off.  Did my job Family is warm, house is toasty, of course will not get a thank you.. its expected at this point.  Would like a thank you.. Never is going to happen..

 

Last four days Depending on temperature I have been adjusting the amount of sticks I put in the damper, colder I raise the damper with more sticks, day time less... Kids and wife looking at me as a mad man.... I navigated by water volume for 4 days.  We had some hot days last weekend made some very small slivers to prevent overheating.  If you are truly a boiler king you know temperature of boiler by water volume.  I know my boiler water levels to almost exact level of the boiler temperature.

[Crow]

 You are now one with the boiler Grasshopper.

[Chicken farmer]

They used THHN jacketed wire in these stoves. It's a very tough plastic that becomes extremely stiff when cold. If I do the Ranco install like has been kicked around on this thread, all that wiring will get changed out to MTW. MTW (machine tool wire) jacket stays flexible but the cross sectional size is larger.

[U.P. Doug]

Do you need a battery back up then like Natures Comfort uses on their GT6000 to close the actuator in case of power failure?
 
I have an automatic whole house generator I installed when I bought the house so this is not an issue for me. I am definitely going to do the Ranco swap out and re wire the stove to relocate the controls on the left side of my stove which is on the east side and out of most of the wind and blowing snow.

Glad to here you got through it and got it fixed intensedrive.