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Frequently Asked Questions


Below are some of the questions frequently asked by our customers.
If your question cannot be answered here, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.


General Questions


•  Are there advantages to using a larger (more powerful) chiller than recommended for my tank size?
•  Can I get a chiller with a heater or UV kit installed from the factory? is there a fee to do this?
•  How much will my chiller affect my electricity bill?
•  Is silent mode efficient for my chiller?
•  What is the best flow rate for each size TECO SeaChill Chiller?


Administrative


•  What is the returns policy on a chiller I recently purchased?


Attachments (UV/Heater Kit)


•  Are the heaters integrated with the chiller so they operate off the same control panel?
•  How does the heater kit work in relation to the temperature setting?


Control Panel


•  How do I reset the control panel?
•  My chiller is reading a temperature differeant than my tank's thermometer. How do I set the chiller's thermometer to match the tank thermometer?
•  My control panel seems to have lost its settings, what do I do?
•  What do the programming options on the TECO RA240 mean? (ex: P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7)
•  Why is the green light blinking?


Legacy Products (CA/RA)


•  Where can I find a replacement fan for an older model CA200 or RA200 chiller?


Storing & Placement


•  Can I use my chiller outdoors?
•  How do I prepare a chiller for long-term storage?
•  What is the proper technique for storing a chiller?


Technical


•  Why does my chiller have a fuse?


Valves & Tubing

•  It says the chiller takes 3/4” or 5/8” i.d. tubing. How does this work?
•  I've lost the o-ring that goes into the valve? How can I replace it?
•  What do I do if my chiller is leaking from where the shut-off valves go into the housing?


Questions and Answers


Q: Are there advantages to using a larger (more powerful) chiller than recommended for my tank size?

A: Yes, there certainly are -- larger chillers are more apt to cycle less and run for shorter periods of time. Since there are no warm-up phases with the TECO chillers, you extend the life of the equipment by increasing your "service-factor".




Q: Can I get a chiller with a heater or UV kit installed from the factory? is there a fee to do this?

A: Yes - you can get the heater kit and UV kit installed by the factory before it is shipped to you. Installation of these parts is free, and at no cost to you. An additional day may be required to process parts installation on chillers before they are shipped.

How to request this
• Add a chiller to the shopping cart.
• From the shopping cart, click the ADD links below the name of the chiller.

Anything you add to the chiller will be installed by one of our technicians and then repackaged for shipping. Doing this will not void your warranty.




Q: How much will my chiller affect my electricity bill?

A: The equation to calculate energy usage for any appliance (a chiller included) is as follows:

The wattage for each chiller model can be found on the technical specifications page. If you have good ventilation, modest lighting and energy efficient pumps the chiller would run approximately 15 minutes per hour. If your lighting is very intense and your pumps generate a lot of heat, your chiller would run approximately 40 minutes per hour. Of course, at night it will run much less. Keeping the air filter clean is essential as well. Air filters impact efficiency a great deal. Other factors include ambient humidity, your local cost of electricity, and wheter or not you have the heater or UV sterilization kits installed.




Q:Is silent mode efficient for my chiller?

A: We recommend that you run the chiller for extended periods of time in the regular mode and not the silent mode. The silent mode is for those times when you need extra silence. The silent mode is a less efficient setting and should not be run continuously at this setting.




Q: What is the best flow rate for each size TECO SeaChill Chiller?

A: The recommended flow rate is 180-780 gallons per hour for each unit. There is no difference in chiller efficiency between the varying flow rates but it is important to maintain a flow rate that is no less than 180 gph and no more than 780 gph.




Q: What is the returns policy on a chiller I recently purchased?

A: Purchases made my credit card require that the customer return the chiller undamaged in its original condition to the returns warehouse. After a bench test of the returned unit is complete, Teco US will authorize a refund less 10% for restocking and handling. If one wishes to return their chiller for any reason other than technical or warranty issues, a return authorization must be obtained by contacting Teco US customer service.




Q: Are the heaters integrated with the chiller so they operate off the same control panel?

A: Absolutely. The heater and the UV are installed into the heat exchanger and connected directly to the control panel. Both the heater and the UV are concealed so that they do not impair the appearance of the chiller and easily programmed from the control panel.




Q: How does the heater kit work in relation to the temperature setting?

A: Once the heater kit is installed in a compatible TECO SeaChill model, it will operate within 1°F of your set point. For example, if your set point is 72°F, the heater will come on if the temperature drops below 71°F. Likewise, the chiller will start cooling water if the temperature rises above 73°F.




Q:How do I reset the control panel?

A: A Control Panel Reset Guide is available on our Manuals & Technical Information page.




Q:My chiller is reading a temperature differeant than my tank's thermometer. How do I set the chiller's thermometer to match the tank thermometer?

A: Keep "SET" button pressed for a full 10 seconds



The display will show a value of 02 –20 do not change this setting


Push "SET" again
The temperature will be displayed again but less brightly


Pushing the up arrow or the down arrow select the temperature you desire
After five seconds this setting is entered into memory and the display will brighten again and the unit will function normally with the new temperature setting.




Q: My control panel seems to have lost its settings, what do I do?

A: It sounds like your control panel will need to be recalibrated. Following the directions in your user manual or on the online guide.
1. Remove the chiller cover.
2. On the right side of the top of the control panel are a two metal prongs. If you touch both of those prongs simultaneously with a coin (penny, nickel, dime – doesn't matter what type of coin, it will even accept Canadian pennies) it will restore the control panel to factory settings
3. From there you can follow the direction to set your chiller temperature.




Q: What do the programming options on the TECO RA240 mean? (ex: P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7)

A: All TECO chillers, including the RA240, are pre-programmed before shipping. The factory settings for each program feature are as follows:
> P2 = Hysteresis = 2
> P3 = Lower set point = 5
> P4 = Higher set point = 40
> P5 = Cooling / heating function = 0 (0 = cooling / 1 = heating)
> P6 = Unit = 0 (0 = cooling / 1 = heating)
> P7 = Probe calibration = 0
Note: above program settings are based on a unit that is pre-programmed in Celsius °C.



Q:Why is the green light blinking?

A: A blinking green light is a safety measure on all TECO chillers. The blinking green light means that the compressor is in the off mode because the chiller is at the set point temperature and it is not necessary to run. It may also mean that the compressor is too hot and must cool down before turning on again.




Q:Where can I find a replacement fan for an older model CA200 or RA200 chiller?

A: Customers with an older model CA200 or RA200 chiller can use the same fan found in newer model TR10, TR15 and TR20 chillers. To install, simply pull the old fan from the chiller and replace the connection from the old fan to the new fan and re-install the new fan.



Q: Can I use my chiller outdoors?

A: The chiller was designed to perform in ambient temperatures from 65 - 85ºF (room temperature). It will still perform above 85ºF, but less efficiently. High humidity environments also makes it difficult for the chillers to shed the heat as well, and could cause corrosion in the chiller - possibly even electrical shorts. This will be true of all chiller compressors, not just the TECO chillers. Using the chiller outdoors will violate the terms of the warranty.



Q: How do I prepare a chiller for long-term storage?

A: If you are planning on storing your chiller for a period of about a year or longer:
1. Take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it with 2 gallons of water
2. Add 1 gallon of white vinegar to the bucket of water
3. Allow this water/vinegar solution to circulate through the chiller and return to the bucket for about 30 minutes.
4. Discard the contents of the bucket and rinse.
5. Circulate fresh clean water through the chiller for 10 or 15 minutes more.
6. When you are finished, tip the chiller to one side to remove as much water as you can prior to storage.
7. Place the chiller in a box and store in a well-protected area
Remove as much water as you can from the chiller without air blowing by tipping the chiller to one side. Some residual water left in the unit is okay since the exchanger is titanium.
Unit should be ready to use the next time you are ready to use it again.



Q: What is the proper technique for storing a chiller?

A: If it has been used, drain as much water out as possible. You can tilt the chiller to do this, but make sure the chiller sits flat for at least a couple of hours before using again to give the coolant time to settle. It's best if you can put it in the original box with the Styrofoam to protect it, but so long as it is upright, it should be okay.



Q:Why does my chiller have a fuse?

A:The fuse is a safety mechanism to prevent damage to the compressor should there be any kind of power irregularity. Your chiller comes with a free replacement fuse that is located in the plastic panel holding the active fuse. Should you need the spare fuse, simply open the fuse panel as illustrated and replace the active fuse with the spare. The TR10, TR15 and TR20 all use GGM10 10amp 250volt fuses. These fuses are readily available in the United States or you can purchase them from TECOUS by writing to sales@tecous.com




Q:It says the chiller takes 3/4” or 5/8” i.d. tubing. How does this work?

A: The Shut Off Valves have two nipple adapters. The smaller of the two fits 5/8” i.d. tubing. In order to use 3/4” i.d. tubing you must remove the first ring nut so that the 3/4” i.d. tubing can go back to the larger nipple.




Q:I've lost the o-ring that goes into the valve? How can I replace it?

A: All parts can be ordered through TecoUS, email us at service@tecous.com or call 972-203-7475




Q: What do I do if my chiller is leaking from where the shut-off valves go into the housing?

A: 1. First, turn off the chiller power switch. Next, unplug the chiller. Never mix electricity and water. Next, remove the shut off valves from the chiller. Make sure that the housing is seated firmly. If the housing is loose, re-seat the housing until you hear the housing snap into place (link to instructions to remove housing). Make sure the Housing Ring Nuts are on tight.
2. Next, check that the Ring Nuts and O rings are properly placed on the Shut Off Valves. Be careful not to break the tabs on the shut off valves. The tabs are there to prevent the water pressure pushing the Shut Off Valves out far enough to leak.
3. Tighten Ring Nuts firmly, seating the O-rings.