Defrost timers

[ar_hvac_man]

Which brand do you guys find to be the most reliable? Seems like I'm constantly replacing paragon. Always sticking in defrost. The last few, I've gone with Grasslin. Also, I have a catalog that sell the Paragon timer motor by itself....anybody tried that?

[2sac]

I prefer Paragon's for durability but we stock Grasslins on out trucks because you only need to stock 1 clock. They are almost idiot proof now. No more dip switches.

[Tommy knocker]

I like paragon myself.

[cjpwalker]

Seems like most of the paragons I replace are 20 or 30 years old, and the grasslins I replace are around 5.

[ryan1088]

We use paragon also and I rarely replace them. I've only seen 3 failed....

[icemeister]

The Paragon mechanical timeclocks have lost a lot of their reliability from my experience. It used to be my standard "go-to" clock, but since they started manufacturing them in China, I'm lucky to get 2-3 years out of them.

The Grasselin is quite popular, but I had some souring experiences with them. The first one I tried fried an output relay within a week. A 40 amp (rated) relay should do that when tied to a 1 HP 230V unit. Since then, I haven't bought any but have a half dozen fail with a year on new units.

My preference now is Paragon's 9145-00, which I've used for about 5 years or so with zero problems.

http://www.uni-line.com/images/docs/150-1893D.pdf

[ar_hvac_man]

Ive seen gobs of the paragons fail. Usually still trying to turn but stuck in defrost. I like the grasslin but have only used them for a few years so cant attest to the reliability. Not fitting back into the paragon box is a PITA though and the last one i put in wouldnt even fit in the dam condenser enclosure. Had to trim the plastic housing to get it to fit.

The 9145-00 looks interesting. No mechanism to seize.

Thx for the input

[Dchappa21]

Paragon 9145-00... Only had 3 or 4 fail... The "newer" 8145-20's or the 8141's are a different Story. Always fine them sticking.

[vzenuh]

I like the para's too. But I do make sure to give the gears a quick spray with WD before I install them. Once I get rid of the Para's I will just stock the grasslins. I haven't had a problem with them yet to put a sour taste in my mouth.

One clock to rule them all!!!

[2sac]

Are the Paragon 9145's similar in price to the Grasslins? I'll have my shop look into them. I'm so not a fan of the Grasslins.

[icemeister]

Are the Paragon 9145's similar in price to the Grasslins? I'll have my shop look into them. I'm so not a fan of the Grasslins.

If you were to compare the Paragon 9145-00 with the Grasslin DTAV40, I'd say they're comparable in price...but my supply house has the Paragon set just a tad higher.

One feature I like about the Paragon is its 100 hour program backup capability. Since it's truly electronic timer, it can do such things.

[ryan1088]

That's an interesting timer ice. Have any of you guys tried the KE2Therm on demand defrost controller yet instead of all this madness?

[cswenson218]

"They are almost idiot proof now."

Let me at one...