After reading the thermostat thread,I saw where some of you have Rancos. I just got a used one with a rack I purchased. I plugged it in and it showed
E2. I can't get it set.What is going on with it?

After reading the thermostat thread,I saw where some of you have Rancos. I just got a used one with a rack I purchased. I plugged it in and it showed
E2. I can't get it set.What is going on with it?

The unit is no good. You need a new one. I've had several over the years do that. If you want, you can try replacing the probe by opening the unit up and severing its black and white wires; after fishing in the new probe wire, use small wire nuts and reconnect the new probe wires black to black and white to white. This sometimes works. I usually just get a new unit these days as thermostats control rather vital parameters.

I figured as much. I will replace it. Thanks for the reply.

I figured as much. I will replace it. Thanks for the reply.

Better safe than sorry .

If a basically bulletproof line voltage thermostat is wanted for controlling an oil radiator and a 3.5 degree differential is not minded, then
WW Grainger part # 2E535 fits the bill.
I've seen these fail too, but very very few. Used them for lots of years.

That's good to know about the rancos.
I have 6 of them in use ATM but the clicking drives me nuts!!!
Behond that I have had no issues with them at all.

How long did you leave it plugged in. Mine flash E2 after they've been unplugged but after a few mins it's biz as usual.

I have two Rancos and find them almost bullet proof. I have the pdf on them somewhere. Send me a pm and I can email ti to you

I love my Rancos...I've used them for years...I have had one fail after about 5 years - Wouldn't heat over 80F but the clicking will drive ya crazy...LOL

The unit is no good. You need a new one. I've had several over the years do that. If you want, you can try replacing the probe by opening the unit up and severing its black and white wires; after fishing in the new probe wire, use small wire nuts and reconnect the new probe wires black to black and white to white. This sometimes works. I usually just get a new unit these days as thermostats control rather vital parameters.

I thought probe issues displayed as "EP"?

I think E2 is a settings/parameter issue.

We've had several "issues" with Ranco thermostats and I'll never purchase another one. On the other hand, I have over a dozen Johnsons in service and haven't had the first problem. (boy I'm asking for it now http://photos.imageevent.com/cornerstonereptiles/private/sarcastic.gif)

The Rancos worked great until the problems occurred. We had two or three with error code type problems and one that changed its setpoint all by itself. I came into the snake room one day and noticed all the snakes in one of the racks plastered against the front of their tubs. Got out the trusty temp gun and checked the basking spots and they were well over a hundred degrees. When I checked the t-stat, the setpoint had changed to 217 degrees. (Thank goodness the heat tape wasn't able to achieve anywhere near that temp.) No one else goes in there, so it somehow changed on its own. http://photos.imageevent.com/cornerstonereptiles/private/weird%20face.gif

Maybe it's just coincidence that all of our failed t-stats have been Rancos, but I'm not willing to take that chance. http://photos.imageevent.com/cornerstonereptiles/private/no.gif

I thought probe issues displayed as "EP"?

I think E2 is a settings/parameter issue.

E2 is a memory issue, with the settings not being stored right I believe.

I thought probe issues displayed as "EP"?

I think E2 is a settings/parameter issue.

That's right.

However, a couple years ago I tried changing the probe out of a unit that read
E2. (bascially just the simple reason being I had an extra probe laying around and because I knew this particular unit already had wire nuts inside from severing the probe cable to fish it through a barrier). So I changed it and the unit display read normal after that. But only for a while. I don't remember how long, seems like a month maybe, then the error reading came back. I never bother doing that anymore I just replace them when E2 appears. I use a sharpie and write the date on the unit when it is new. I try to replace them around year five, though I have some as old as 2001 working flawlessly. I still use Rancos, I still think they are a great unit and there are better probe options available with Rancos than with the Johnson units, at least as far as I know.

We had two or three with error code type problems and one that changed its setpoint all by itself.

I've experienced this also, twice, two different units, two different times. I thought ( it was controlling cooling) that someone was changing the settings so I used the lock feature on the unit and voila, boy did I get a surprise when it changed itself. I was all too glad to toss that first unit.
Most all my E2 and other issues after summer desert storm with heavy lightning, fwiw.