diff --git a/frappy_psi/lakeshore.py b/frappy_psi/lakeshore.py
index 64b9667..a4a44c3 100644
--- a/frappy_psi/lakeshore.py
+++ b/frappy_psi/lakeshore.py
@@ -40,11 +40,17 @@ class LakeShore(HasIO):
         head = ','.join([cmd] + [f'{a:g}' for a in args])
         tail = cmd.replace(' ', '? ')
         reply = self.communicate(f'{head};{tail}')
-        return [float(num) for num in reply.split(',')]
+        reply = [float(num) for num in reply.split(',')]
+        if len(reply) == 1:
+            return reply[0]
+        return reply
 
     def get_par(self, cmd):
         reply = self.communicate(cmd)
-        return [float(num) for num in reply.split(',')]
+        reply = [float(num) for num in reply.split(',')]
+        if len(reply) == 1:
+            return reply[0]
+        return reply
 
 
 class Sensor340(LakeShore, Readable):
@@ -75,7 +81,7 @@ class Sensor340(LakeShore, Readable):
         if c % 2:
             return ERROR, 'invalid reading'
         # ask for high alarm status and return warning
-        if '1' in self.get_par(f'ALARMST? {self.channel}'):
+        if 1 in self.get_par(f'ALARMST? {self.channel}'):
             return WARN, 'alarm triggered'
         return IDLE, ''
 
@@ -131,12 +137,10 @@ class HeaterOutput(LakeShore, HasControlledBy, HasIO, Writable):
         self.set_par(f'CLIMIT {self.loop}', self.SETPOINTLIMS, 0, 0, icurrent, irange)
         self.set_par(f'RANGE {irange}')
         self.set_par(f'CDISP {self.loop}', 1, self.resistance, 0)
-        self.get_par(f'RELAY? 1') #only high relay
         return self.read_max_power()
 
     def read_max_power(self):
-        setplimit, _, _, icurrent, irange = [
-            float(s) for s in self.get_par(f'CLIMIT? {self.loop}')]
+        setplimit, _, _, icurrent, irange = self.get_par(f'CLIMIT? {self.loop}')
         # max_power from codes disregarding voltage limit:
         self._max_power = self.MAXCURRENTS[icurrent] ** 2 * self.RANGES[irange] * self.resistance
         # voltage limit = 50V:
@@ -154,7 +158,7 @@ class HeaterOutput(LakeShore, HasControlledBy, HasIO, Writable):
         return (power / self._max_power) ** (1 / 2) * 100  # limit
 
     def read_status(self):
-        return self.STATUS_MAP[int(self.get_par(f'HTRST?'))]
+        return self.STATUS_MAP[self.get_par(f'HTRST?')]
 
     def write_target(self, target):
         self.self_controlled()
@@ -162,7 +166,7 @@ class HeaterOutput(LakeShore, HasControlledBy, HasIO, Writable):
         self.set_heater_mode(3)
         self.set_range()
         percent = self.power_to_percent(target)
-        reply, = self.set_par(f'MOUT {self.loop}', '%g' % percent)
+        reply = self.set_par(f'MOUT {self.loop}', '%g' % percent)
         return self.percent_to_power(reply)
 
     def set_heater_mode(self, mode):
@@ -215,16 +219,14 @@ class TemperatureLoop340(HasConvergence, HasOutputModule, Sensor340, Drivable, L
         return {'p': p, 'i': i, 'd': d}
 
     def write_ramp(self, ramp):
-        return self.set_par(f'RAMP {self.loop}', self.ramp_used, ramp)
+        return self.set_par(f'RAMP {self.loop}', self.ramp_used, ramp)[1]
 
     def write_ramp_used(self, ramp_used):
-        return self.set_par(f'RAMP {self.loop}', ramp_used, self.ramp)
+        return self.set_par(f'RAMP {self.loop}', ramp_used, self.ramp)[0]
 
     def read_ramp(self):
-        status, rate = self.get_par(f'RAMP? {self.loop}')
-        if status == 'off':
-            return False, rate
-        return True, rate
+        self.ramp_used, rate = self.get_par(f'RAMP? {self.loop}')
+        return rate
 
     def read_status(self):
         statuscode, statustext = super().read_status()