WH1436A 110V - 240V Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Switch NTC 10K Sensor, Improved Version by WILLHI

If you're even considering an AC relay temperature controller, don't even think twice. Just buy the WH1436. You will not regret the purchase. I promise.Review updated 2017/05 to account for model revision (older WH1436 vs newer WH1436A).+ Heating and cooling mode (i.e. power supplied if temperature is below or above a threshold)+ Waterproof thermocouple included! (this is pretty hard to find on the cheap)+ regulates down to 0.1 degree window (high/low bounds for on/off)+ F and C units+ TONS of advanced options: e.g. temperature alarms and compressor safety timeouts+ 1.1kW continuous power rating (up from the 880W in the 2015 model that I bought)+/- mechanical relay click sound when device toggles state (the A model likely now uses a silent solid state relay)- Not a PID controller (more details below on why this could matter)- Upside down power connector (the A revision now uses a NEMA 15-5, which is great, but the plug is still upside down)There are a lot of temperature controllers and sous-vide devices on the market. Some have more or less features than others. Some require other parts, like thermocouples. Heck, at one point I was even considering building my own with a microcontroller, relay, and temp probe (and hours of testing and frustration). The WH1436 is what I've been waiting for and I'm so glad I held out! It's a compact, simple little device and has all the pieces you need for under $30! That's way cheaper than even I could have built one for. Other devices sell for many times this price, up to hundreds of dollars, and aren't nearly as flexible. See the Anova, Dorkfoods, or Johnson for excellent overpriced examples.My target is sous-vide, but the WH1436 could also be used for cooling applications as well. Yes, the instruction manual is a bit overwhelming, but it is detailed and accurate. There are so many features if you really want to fiddle with things, but I found the defaults intelligently chosen and usable. One change I'd suggest is to lower the d parameter from 1.0 to 0.1 (the offset between the target temperature and the relay turning on). If you need help, search youtube for the videos from Bayite and you'll see detailed video instructions on how to use the device. If all else fails, just send the guy an email and he'll get back to you, or just post a question here, as others have done, and you'll see he replies quickly. Note, this paragraph was written based on the old software, the newer software seems to be even easier: set heating vs cooling mode, lower bound, and upper bound.The only legitimate complaint that you could make about this device is that it's not a PID controller. What this means is that it works only on instantaneous temperature measurements. A PID controller uses not just the current temperature, but also tracks the total power delivered (The I in PID), and the rate of change of the temperature (the D in PID), so that it can turn the heat/cooling on and off to keep the temperature exactly at the desired setpoint. This would manifest in behavior like the heat turning off prior to the desired setpoint because the PID controller knows that the temperature will continue to rise to hit the target. It's a more intelligent approach for control (and based on over hundred year old mathematical principles). The WH1436 doesn't have a PID controller, it's just instantaneous on/off based on the setpoint, so it's not as intelligent, but for slow moving temperature settings (like a big crock pot), it can still achieve excellent tight temperature control (my window sits with 1.5C). For the price, it's unbeatable. A PID controller would be a bit more expensive, as the logic is more complicated. What amazer me is that WILLHI did release a "PID" version last year that I bought (WHI1436PID). It wasn't actually a PID controller, but it did have some really neat parameters that would permit very tight temperature control (I got it down to 0.1-0.2C from my target). However, it seems like that model isn't sold anymore. I haven't purchased the updated model (WH1436A) yet, so I can't comment on how smart the newer software is, but if it permits bounding down to 0.1C/F, then that's about as tight as you can reliably get things with a consumer product.It is incredibly versatile because it just regulates an AC socket based on a temperature. I've used it for sous-vide with a crock pot, a rice cooker, and even a portable electric stove with a dutch oven on top. They all work perfectly and deliver fantastic results. At under $30, you can even buy a few of these and set them up to have multiple baths and temperatures going at the same time. Do beef in one, potatoes in another, and vegetables in a third. Things could always be cheaper, but this is a fair price point. These temperature controllers are not particularly expensive pieces of electronics, and I'm glad we finally have an inexpensive option that gets it all right. So long as what you're trying to power is under 1kW, buy this, you'll love it. Combined with an equally affordably priced vacuum sealer and manual slow cooker, you can sous-vide like a pro for under $100.

I am using this item to control the temperature in a confined space for brewing, spore growth and seed starting and it works very well indeed. It comes with good instructions and there is access to a video on u-tube if they are inadequate. I have been able to maintain a good solid temperature range and am very pleased with this product.

I purchased this unit to assist me in operating a home built smoker. I operate two 400 watt heating elements with it. I've found the directions to be concise although somewhat confusing but once the high and low temperatures are set and the temperature probe is in place the unit operates perfectly.

I purchased this controller back in 2018 to keep some new chicks warm. I have used it several times since then for that purpose. I am setting it up again for the same job and realized I never gave a review.Positive Features:* It allows you to set a low and high threshold allowing one to keep the temperature in the desired range.* It has both a high and low alarm feature, which alerts you if the temperature goes below or exceeds the desired temperature range.* It allows the temperature probe to be calibrated with an offset. I found my probe was accurate enough over the desired range, not requiring an offset be entered.* It can be used with both heat devices, a heat lamp in my case, and cool things. The maximum controlled power is limited (1100 w), so it would not work with a high power refrigeration unit without an additional relay. Not a problem in my case.* For cooling, it allows you to set a compressor on time to prevent rapid cycling which could be bad.* The manual, if one ignores a few typos, is detailed enough to make setting up fairly easy. Just don’t lose the manual.* It does not require wifi, does not phone home, so it does not clog up your internet connection. A very positive feature.Negative Issues: The case is yellowing slightly, which happens with this type plastic. Not a deal stopper.Would I buy it again, yes.

We purchased this controller along with a 110 VAC, 3/4" Brass Electric Solenoid Valve to control water flow to our outdoor water misting systems. It was super easy to hook up and program to do what we wanted it to do. The instruction sheet we received with the product was fairly comprehensive and adequate for us to get the controller to work like we wanted. But in addition, the manufacturer took the time to send us an email giving additional instructions and explanations on how to set up the controller. We didn't ask for this, they just did it on their own to try to provide the best customer service (I suppose some people weren't as comfortable with the instruction sheet that comes with the unit). The controller works perfectly and we are very happy with our purchase. We highly recommend it for those needing to have a thermostatically controlled AC outlet.A couple of things we learned in the process of using this controller in an outdoor environment: First, if you are using the product outdoors, you don't want the temperature sensor to be near the ground or in direct sunlight. Ideally, you want the sensor (that's the 10-foot white cable that plugs into the side of the controller) to be a minimum of 6 feet above the ground, or even higher if over pavement or concrete that radiates heat. The reason for this is that the sensor will register anywhere from 5-10 degrees too high on a sunny day and stay high even after the sun goes down because of the heat radiation from the ground. This is not a problem with the controller sensor, it is only responding to the environment you place it in and we checked its accuracy and it is very accurate. You also want the sensor to be shaded from direct sunlight. If in direct sunlight, the sensor will read about 2-3 degrees too high because of the sun's radiation. We placed the controller in a waterproof bag and both the controller and electric valve in a waterproof container with a sealed lid to protect it from rain and the elements. The sensor extends outside the container and is about 7-8 feet above the ground suspended on a pole. It's now been operating satisfactorily for 2 weeks and has survived a couple of aggressive rainstorms out here in the Midwest. The unit also has internal memory and remembers its settings in case of a power failure so that when you restore the power, the unit resumes normal operation. Also, our water valve is a "normally closed" valve so if there is a power failure, the solenoid valve automatically shuts the water off. The valve does not come with this product, you have to purchase it separately and is available here on Amazon. This controller is a great product and we're glad we bought it!