Review of Hailea HC-150A 1/10HP chiller

[byfun]

Was looking for a new 1/10HP chiller in the market which fit my limited budget.

Having read some review of the Hailea chiller from local and overseas aquarium forum, i have come to decide on the new Hailea HC-150A series chiller which come with 1 yr warranty.

1) Price wise it seem to be around the same range as Resun CL280 (also 1/10HP) but electricity comsumption wise it seem Hailea is slightly more efficient and consume less electricity based on the spec alone.

2) Hailea HC-150A specification state that it need a flowrate of 250-1200L/H for it to work properly. Resun CL280 recommend flowrate of 500L-1000L/H.

3) I was informed that compressor of Hailea was from MITSUBISHI.

4) Hailea chiller will show temperature with a 1 decimal place compare with Resun. But please note that setting of chiller temperature cannot be done for 1 decimal place. It can be only be set 24, 25, 26, 27C ..etc.

5) Like Resun, Hailea also OEM for a few manufacturers and one of them i found is Nisso brand from Japan. http://www.nisso-int.co.jp/new/IndoorCooler.htm

Specification of Hailea :
http://www.hailea.com/product-1/HC-150A.htm

I think the AMP should be 1.1amp instead of 1 as stated in the box and the sticker behind my HC-150A.



Once i got my HC-150A, i was eager to test it out and i wonder how can i actually gaudge the actual power consumption of the HC-150A to determine whether it's as efficient as what's state on the spec. Rated voltage of 220-240V with a 1.1amp. That translate to wattage of 242-264 watts for the HC-150A.

Finally an idea struck me and the answer to my above question can be done via my existing APC UPS that i use for my PC. The UPS have a USB connection to my PC which i can use the software provided to monitor the device that's hooked on the UPS.

My setup :


With all the equipment ready, i was on the way to test my HC-150A

Below is my test environment and result i got :

Tank size : 2ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft
Ambient temperature : 30 degree
Tank temperatue : 27 degree
Set temperature : 26 degree
Flowrate : 1060L/H eheim 2228 canister filter
Cooling time taken : 45 mins.
Estimated total water volume : 115L
Lighthing : 2 x 24W T5HO running.
APC UPS : Support max of 400W.

The HC-150A thermostat off the box was pretty accurate. It was having a difference of 0.6C from my tank thermometer. For example, if my tank is showing 27C, on the HC-150A is showing 26.4C. Luckily this differences can be easily calibrated on the HC-150A. It allow calibration of +/- 1.5 degree. This calibration instruction sadly was not mentioned in the manual.

Press the UP and DOWN arrow button at the same time. You will heard a beep and the calibration is shown. For my situation, i pressed UP x 6 time = 0.6C increase. Press SET when done and you will notice that the temperature shown in the HC-150A is in line with my tank thermometer.



To set the temperature for chiller to maintain just press and hold SET button and you will hear a beep sound. Using the UP/DOWN arrow button you can preset the temperature you want.



During the test, i have also found that the temperature difference for HC-150A to kick in is +1 degree. For example i set 26 degree for my HC-150A. The HC-150A will only kick in when it's thermostat reading is 27 degree.

What's most interesting is of course the reading from my UPS. I was pleased with the reading i got.



I can see from the software that the HC-150A is drawing 240watts when it's running. After 10 mins it peak at 248watts constant till the chiller cooled my tank to 26 degree.

Time taken to cool 1 degree from 27C to 26C is clocked at 45mins with lighting on.

Conclusion : Overall i was pleased with the performance of the HC-150A because the performance is close to the specification and the kick in timing for the chiller is consistent from what i have observed. So for you guys looking for a small chiller for your 2ft tank, we have another option now.

[byfun]

Please take note that once your power off and on your chiller again. You need to calibrate and set the temperature all over again (which is a piece of cake anyway)

[silane]

Very interesting way of using a UPS to chart the power required.

Can the software does wattage vs time charting? That will be able to exactly how much the electricity comsumption is.

[byfun]

Originally Posted by silane

Very interesting way of using a UPS to chart the power required.

Can the software does wattage vs time charting? That will be able to exactly how much the electricity comsumption is.

Wattage vs time charting is only possible when the UPS go on battery then the software will have a history of the wattage used + standby time on the UPS battery.

For my UPS even it's fully charged it can only power the running chiller for 10 mins. So i can't find out the wattage vs time charting.

My above test was done and time clocked when chiller start till it stopped.

is the fan loud compare to CL280?
any vibration when kicking in?

another review here for 1/2hp
it's not Mitsubishi compressor as claimed. it's HUAYI

is the fan loud compare to CL280?
any vibration when kicking in?

another review here for 1/2hp
it's not Mitsubishi compressor as claimed. it's HUAYI

[byfun]

Originally Posted by lEddyl

is the fan loud compare to CL280?
any vibration when kicking in?

another review here for 1/2hp
it's not Mitsubishi compressor as claimed. it's HUAYI

I don't know about CL280 because i never owned one. I own a CL300 previously and this Hailea HC-150A is more quiet.

But seriously i don't have much issue with CL300 sound also. CL300 seem to cool the same amount of water faster but i think it's due to the bigger cooling reservoir and 300W rated. Too bad it's not in production anymore now.

hi, how much is the Hailea ? Whr did u buy it ? Thanks.

What is the frequency of the chiller kick-in for your setup?

[byfun]

Originally Posted by Zysfer

What is the frequency of the chiller kick-in for your setup?

Based on my observation .. after chilling to 26C. It will take about 45-60mins before the next kick in depending on my ambient temperature (this flucutate as you know)