Elitech STC1000 supplier recommendation please

[Meatymc]

Finally ready to set up the brew fridge.

Looking for a controller on the net but coming across a lot of horror stories about fake units, burn outs etc. Much prefer someone supplying from within the UK but even then you find they aren't and are a shabby front for the Far East. Anyone bought a kosher Elitech unit that has proved reliable and who can share who they bought it from please?

[joe1002]

I recently bought one of these. It is a genuine Elitech and it arrived very promptly.

However, there is a new Elitech controller out now in white and black.

[AnthonyUK]

I have a few brand new ones still boxed if interested.
£10 if standard postage in a jiffy bag is OK.

Otherwise the Inkbird on Amazon are fine @£14.

[Fil]

If your considering the firmware upgrade there are details of an alibabba supplier of genuine Ver 1.0 stc1000's in the readme https://github.com/matsstaff/stc1000p 2/3rds into the introduction section.. just scroll down the page to the readme doc text..

[Meatymc]

Thanks for the reply guys - much appreciated.

Bit bored so thought I'd have a look at the new version joe1002 mentioned. So bobbed along to the Elitech (UK) Limited web site and there it is - probably just a poncy version of the STC1000 but very smart.

So you think is this worth looking at - future proofing and all that, and start reading the blurb about their products, quality systems, international standards attained with 'their' products and the size of their operation - with strategic partnerships with Emerson and Sanyoa. I might have been more impressed if it had said Emerson, Lake and Palmer but there you go.

You realise pretty quickly that the text was written by someone with English as possibly not their first language
You see their London phone number is 0203 - perhaps the most popular 'virtual' STD code in the UK
Then you find their address is a fairly new residential block on Docklands.
You read about their 18 years manufacturing and R&D experience but find Elitech (UK) Limited was only incorporated in August last year
And finally you see their registered address is C/O Pearl Lily Company Secretaries Limited - a Company currently registered as Dormant at Companies House

So the bottom line is that whilst this product may well be fine and is clearly used by many, why do they have to purport to be something they aren't - a UK R&D and Manufacturer. All they actually are is a Wholesaler - at least the others on ebay/Amazon etc don't hide the fact!

And of course this also explains why the only apparent difference between those advertised coming from Hong Kong/China and those purportedly from elsewhere is that Elitech have had the manufacturer add their logo - before shipping them in from Hong Kong/China.

Rant over!!

[Fil]

afaik its the h/w inside the box thats more important than the case and branding, the stc1000 V1.0 board layout is such that 5 x solderpads are exposed which provide both an interface to reprogram the device as well as monitor for real time data.. cases housing the V1.1 boards dont lend themselves to the upgrade..

and if the board inside looks like it was a 'my first soldering project' and is missing any version ID you have copped a real dodgy clone build..

cracking the case to inspect the h/w is probably worthwhile even if you dont intend to use it beyond its 'as is programming' as the relays should be clearly stamped with ratings, and the general quality of the build can be seen.. It should relieve any doubts you have about it blowing up at least

they are well documented boards lots of photo's in the link i posted above...



for an A400 P V1.0 direct from the Chinese source (as per the link above)... http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product ... 66302.html
wont be fast delivery tho.

[Meatymc]

Thanks for all the info fil.

Anthony, not being funny but are yours genuine or clones?

[f00b4r]

Just bear in mind the Elitech ones are actually clones, the ones linked on the Github page are from the original manufacturer.

[AnthonyUK]

Thanks for all the info fil.

Anthony, not being funny but are yours genuine or clones?

They are genuine Elitech but as mentioned these are not even the originals but are reputable.
I bought them as it wasn't mentioned they were Elitech branded and I was looking for v1.0 ones. All Elitech ones I have seen have been v1.1.
I have a number of controllers that I use and have built for other people using these ones from the same supplier and they have been working continuously for more than 5 years.

[GeeThom]

A word of caution, I posted elsewhere on this site that I recently bought two 30 Amp controllers from China for HLT but on arrival the instruction manual said 10 amp. I queried this with the sender who than told me don't worry the manufacturer said they are 24V so that will be OK?
I got my money back as they were not as advertised but still do not know what they are and whether they would be safe to use at all. They look the same as Elitech but the box says Ringder and I am sure that the seller has no idea what they are either as his answers did not fill me with confidence.

Beware when buying as it may not be what it seems to be.

[AnthonyUK]

The 30A rated controllers e.g.WH7016M, tend to do heating OR cooling but not both.
They look similar to the STC-1000 but cost less which is what often catches people out as they go for the lowest priced item.
They do only have one relay output though so it is obvious but only if the correct images are shown.
The Chinese descriptions are often not great either.

[GeeThom]

Anthony
That's exactly what I wanted, to control a heater only, but because of the nature of the reply I still do not know if they are 12 volt, 24 volt (does it make a difference?) or 10 Amp.
I think they are anything the seller wants them to be to get me off his back so I didn't risk it