RE: [APML] Lumicon Temperature Controller Repair

[<apml@astroshots.com>]

I had one that was staying on all the time - I believe the way the probe
works is that when the mercury rises to the set temp, it shorts the probe
leads, which in turn cuts power to the tank heater.  When the probe leads
are open, the heater is on.  Those switches are very fragile - I'm not sure
if it will work, but you might want to try to shake the probe down, like you
do with a regular thermometer, to try and force the mercury together.  If it
operates like a regular thermometer, the reservoir end should be the end
opposite leads...


Regards,
Dave Robinson


|  Jason:
|  I think you're problem is with the temperture probe itself.
|  They are actually small mercury switches calibrated to
|  different temperatures.
|  They have a tiny reservoir filled with mercury which rises
|  in a tiny tube to
|  a certain point where the switch cuts off. The mercury
|  sometimes gets
|  separated, just like in a mercury thermometer, then the
|  calibration is off.
|  Although I'm not sure how to explain yours staying on all
|  the time and not
|  cutting off.
|
|  Kent Kirkley


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