do you need a thermastat, or does it just run when the suns out and shuts off when the suns not? and does it run when its partly cloudy?
296097
Buy the recommended thermostat. It will automatically turn on and off as needed. If you don't then yes it will run whenever light is present. It will run when it's partly cloudy. You can also wire in a thermostat and set the temperature for what you want. I didn't and mine works great. Highly recommend it. I think the thermostat is 12 bucks. Buy it I did and don't regret it. Have a great day.
711438
I have run it for 24/7 and the entire fixture stays cool to the touch; there is no duty cycle limit in the specs . The integral fan does a good job but is fairly noisy.
1336089
My unit seems to run fine at colder temps It will shut off itself if it does not need to run.. But I don't run it when it gets below 50 degrees outside ,because I have no need to run it then.
1605236
Mine operates with an external thermostat and has for two years. I simply leave the built-in 'stat at maximum. Works fine.
889880
I use a plug in programmable thermostat to control when the unit turns on and off as well as the room temp to be maintained while on. As some one stated as long as it is UV listed you should be okay.
711437
You can run 'em 24/7 if you need to. They get warm, but not hot. I'm guessing a bigger issue is that they (intentionally) put in some UV LEDs to simulate sunlight, so you may want to have UV absorbing glasses when working around the light.
435969
Where we live the power seems to go off if a dark cloud passes over. My unit always maintains the settings when the power comes back on. I use my unit to incubate reptile eggs and it is a MUST that the temperature be maintained within +-3 degrees and to date it has always functioned perfectly. I was skeptical for the first few days and watched it closely and had it set to keep the temp within 0.3 degrees to insure survival of my eggs. It worked so good I have since ordered another to buld another incubator and will probably order several more. I can't say enough good things about this controller! Where we live the power seems to go off if a dark cloud passes over. My unit always maintains the settings when the power comes back on. I use my unit to incubate reptile eggs and it is a MUST that the temperature be maintained within +-3 degrees and to date it has always functioned perfectly. I was skeptical for the first few days and watched it closely and had it set to keep the temp within 0.3 degrees to insure survival of my eggs. It worked so good I have since ordered another to buld another incubator and will probably order several more. I can't say enough good things about this... » Read More Where we live the power seems to go off if a dark cloud passes over. My unit always maintains the settings when the power comes back on. I use my unit to incubate reptile eggs and it is a MUST that the temperature be maintained within +-3 degrees and to date it has always functioned perfectly. I was skeptical for the first few days and watched it closely and had it set to keep the temp within 0.3 degrees to insure survival of my eggs. It worked so good I have since ordered another to buld another incubator and will probably order several more. I can't say enough good things about this controller! « Show Less
2177910
It has a thermostat. It goes on and off depending on the ambient temperature.
1629413
No, it runs all five, but the thermostat has five settings for the amount of heat you get out of it. It turns itself on and off to regulate the amount of heat you select. Mine has run flawlessly all winter, and was simple to install.
1202061
Machine can run without the heat turned on. I think it will shut itself off if you let it stand for too long.
950071
I am in Saint Louis. On a cloudy day it will slow down. I have not noticed if it stops or not. However based on the design it really need good direct sunlight. There is no battery in it, so no sunlight means little to no power.
1933716
My husband programed it to be honest. We purchased the 530A and the 540A. The 540A is much better to work with; when you set it for solar you never have to change the start time for it does it automatically with the season change. I took out the 530A and replaced it with the 540A because it was hard to see and bend down to get it reset. We just did it yesterday, along with another one from Lowes. To keep it follow the directions very carefully is all that i can say.
726057
It runs until you turn it off. I leave it on low during the day and turn it off at night. If we are having company I will run it on high for a few hrs before they come then turn it on low. It's very quiet so you don't notice that it's even on. Hope this helps
1345151
The fan should not run continuously. If the evap. Thermostat is satisfied with the room temperature the whole unit should stop running. Make sure your setting is not on DRY.
1562608
Just got mine today. It says it needs 3-4 hours of direct sunlight but in a cool area if possible. Other hours of diffused sunlight on top of the direct sunlight will be even better. Temps of 55-80F are okay. Fresh air is best but not a requirement. Hope this helps!
1082518
I run it in a drag race car with no thermostat. If you are running it in a street car I would recommend running a thermostat.
43070
I have had two Koolatron unit. They do not have a thermostat, nor do they cut off when temp reached when heating. They have quit after two weeks of use. I have since bought a Dometic cooler, it performs as advertised. I do not recommend the Koolatron cooler.