Elitech ECS-180, ECS-180neo and ECS-2280neo

Cabinet controller with compressor, defrost (electric or hot gas), fan and light/alarm relays, plus optional evaporator, condenser and door inputs.

What it is: Refrigeration controller. Covers the ECS-180 (the A and B sheets are the same document) and the ECS-180neo, which adds fan temperature limits (F4/F5) and a °C/°F setting (u1). The ECS-2280neo has the same list as the neo plus RS-485 addresses (Adr, un1), an optional UPS input and a 100–240 V supply. Two hardware builds exist: a 30 A compressor relay version without light relay or backup supply, and a 5 A version with light/alarm relay and 7–13.5 V DC standby input.

Key combo: Hold Set for 3 s for the user menu. The full list sits behind the Po access code.

Error codes ↓
Enter service mode ↓
Parameters ↓
Change a setting ↓

Elitech ECS-180, ECS-180neo and ECS-2280neo error codes

Code	Meaning	Likely cause	How to reset
E1	Cabinet probe fault	Probe open or shorted	Automatic once the probe reads again. Compressor then follows A1: off, or cycling on A3 run / A2 stop minutes.
E2	Evaporator probe fault	Probe open or shorted (only with d1 = 1)	Automatic once the probe reads. Defrost ends on time (d6).
E3	Condenser probe fault	Probe open or shorted (only with cd1 = 1)	Automatic once the probe reads.
cH	Condenser too hot	Condenser above cd2. Display only, outputs keep running	Clears when condenser drops below cd2 minus cd3. Clean the condenser and check the fan.
rH	Cabinet high temperature	Above A6 (A11 = 0) or set point + A9 (A11 = 1) for longer than A7 (A8 after power-up)	Clears by itself once the cause is fixed.
rL	Cabinet low temperature	Below A5 (A11 = 0) or set point − A10 (A11 = 1) for longer than A7	Clears by itself once the cause is fixed.
Er	Copy card failed (neo)	Card not seated or faulty	Reseat and repeat.
EP	Copy card data does not match (neo)	Card from another model	Use the right card.

How to enter service / parameter mode

Hold Set for 3 seconds. St (set point) shows: press Set to view it and the light or rotate key to change it.
To reach the full list, step to Po, press Set and enter the administrator access code from the manual with the light and rotate keys, then press Set.
If the code is right, every parameter (C1 … cd3) becomes visible. If not, only St and Po show. The code has to be entered again each time you open the menu.

Parameter list

Code	What it does	Range	Default / typical
St	Set point	C5 to C6	4 °C
C1	Hysteresis	0.5 to 9.0 °C	4.0 °C
C2	Minimum compressor off time between starts	0 to 60 min	5
C3	Compressor delay at first power-up	0 to 90 min	5
C4	Cabinet probe offset	−10 to +10 °C	0
C5	Lowest allowed set point	−50 °C to St	−2 °C
C6	Highest allowed set point	St to 85 °C	22 °C
C7	Maximum standby once inside the band (0 = off)	0 to 90 min	9
C8	Minimum compressor run time (0 = off)	0 to 90 min	0
d1	Evaporator probe fitted	0 no, 1 yes	1
d2	Evaporator probe offset	−10 to +10 °C	0
d3	Defrost interval counts	0 compressor run time, 1 clock time	1
d4	Defrost interval (0 = no defrost)	0 to 90 h	2
d5	Display during defrost	0 cabinet temp, 1 dEF until delay ends, 2 dEF through drip, 3 frozen reading	2
d6	Maximum defrost time	1 to 90 min	25
d7	Defrost end temperature	0 to 50 °C	12 °C
d8	Drip time (0 = none)	0 to 60 min	2
d9	Display hold after defrost	0 to 90 min	10
d10	Delay before defrost output starts	0 to 30 min	10
d11	Defrost type	0 electric, 1 hot gas	0
F1	Fan mode	0 with compressor, 1 on but off in defrost, 2 off in defrost and drip, 3 off until F3 after defrost, 4 (neo only) by evaporator temperature, off in defrost	3
F2	Fan delay at power-up	0 to 60 min	4
F3	Fan delay after defrost	0 to 60 min	2
F4	Fan lowest working temperature (neo only)	−50 °C to F5	−12 °C
F5	Fan highest working temperature (neo only)	F4 to 85 °C	−5 °C
A1	Compressor action on cabinet probe fault	0 off, 1 timed cycling	1
A2	Off time when cycling on probe fault	1 to 60 min	5
A3	Run time when cycling on probe fault	1 to 60 min	30
A4	Buzzer	0 off, 1 on	1
A5	Low alarm (absolute)	−50 °C to A6	−10 °C
A6	High alarm (absolute)	A5 to 85 °C	24 °C
A7	Alarm delay	0 to 60 min	20
A8	Alarm delay after power-up	0 to 60 min	40
A9	High alarm offset (relative mode)	1 to 30 °C	10 °C
A10	Low alarm offset (relative mode)	1 to 30 °C	5 °C
A11	Alarm mode	0 absolute (A5/A6), 1 relative to set point	0
A12	Light/alarm relay use	0 light, 1 alarm	0
do1	Door input	0 off, 1 fans stop, 2 light on, 3 fans stop + light on, 4 used as remote defrost start	0
do2	Buzzer on door open	0 no, 1 yes	0
cd1	Condenser probe fitted	0 no, 1 yes	1 (neo: 0)
cd2	Condenser alarm temperature	30 to 90 °C	55 °C
cd3	Condenser alarm reset band	1 to 15 °C	5 °C
u1	Units (neo only)	00 °F, 01 °C	01
Adr	Controller network address (2280neo)	00 to 127	01
un1	Unit network address (2280neo)	00 to 127	01

How to change and save a setting

Pick the code with the light (up) or rotate (down) key and press Set.
Change the value with the same keys and press Set to go back to the list.
Press the defrost (Rst) key, or wait 30 seconds, to save and exit.

Other useful key presses

Task	How
Show evaporator temperature	Tap the defrost key (probe enabled)
Show condenser temperature	Tap the rotate key (probe enabled)
Manual defrost / step the cycle	Hold the defrost key 3 s
Factory reset	Hold the rotate key 10 s: H0 shows. Pick H1 to H6 (°C presets) or H7 (°F preset) and press defrost. dr confirms. H0 cancels.

Notes

ECS-180neo: parameter recovery presets (H0–H7) are not described; use u1 for °C/°F. Copy card: hold the light key 3 s to upload (uP), the rotate key 3 s to download (do).
Defaults shown are the H1 (°C) preset. On the ECS-180, °C/°F can only be switched by loading H7 or a °C preset, and every temperature setting then needs checking.
Hot gas builds: during defrost the reversing (four-way) valve output opens and the compressor runs.
The standby DC input must stay between 7 and 13.5 V. Higher voltage damages the controller.

For licensed technicians only. This equipment can involve mains voltage, high-voltage microwave circuits, gas and refrigerant. Isolate power (and gas) before opening panels, follow the manufacturer's manual and your local licensing rules (for example ARC refrigerant handling and electrical or gas licences). Wrong settings can spoil food or damage equipment. Check every value on the unit in front of you before changing it.

Based on: Elitech ECS-180 temperature controller user manual (A/B sheets) ECS-180neo and ECS-2280neo user manuals. Always check the manual for your exact model and software version.

ServiceModes is not affiliated with Elitech or any other manufacturer. Written in our own words from the manufacturer's documentation.