Newest Threads

Beavdowg · 06-10-2009, 04:08 AM

I've been reading here about the temp controllers. I need to know what the concensus is on which controller to get. I only need a single stage controller to control the temp in my fridge. I'm wanting it to control temps for fermenting. My main problem will be my wort getting to warm. Is it Love, Ranco, or Johnson, or any other controller? I'm not electrically savvy so a plug and play would be my preference.

thanks fellas

**bad coffee** · 06-10-2009, 04:16 AM

if you can understand If/Then arguments, and want a little better controller, I suggest this:

Digital Aquatics Online Store

It's an aquarium controller, and it does have 4 outlets. It's a bit overkill but for $100 it's not bad.

I have a similar one on my fish tank, and it's great.

Programming looks like this:
if temp <75, H-1 = ON
if temp >77, H-1 = OFF
If temp >81, C-1 = ON

H1= heater
C1= Chiller.

SO in your fridge/freezer (since you're fermenting) you can set your temps and be safe to ferment in summer or winter.

If you're willing to do a bit of wiring, you can get a Love or Johnson/Ranco for less, then spend the cash on parts. I have two Love controllers and I dig them. One's on the keezer and one is in my fermentation bath.

B

Beavdowg · 06-10-2009, 07:48 PM

bump, bump

**TheMan** · 06-10-2009, 08:28 PM

I do not have one, but just purchased a johnson analog on ebay today for $28. It seems to be pretty even, I'd just go with whatever one you find with the best deal.

I searched far and wide to find one better than the other and couldn't find any convincing evidence that one beat another.

springer · 06-10-2009, 08:34 PM

I have a love and 2 Johnson controllers . I like the love seeing the led display and the temp . But the plug and play Johnson's were cheaper and super quick to install and they work fine . So if you are techno challenged or just lazy like me

the Johnson is a good choice

**IrregularPulse** · 06-10-2009, 08:56 PM

They are personal preference Just ask your self what you want out of, Write all that down and see which has most of those.

I have a LOVE on my keezer and love it for that application. I bought a thermostat at Menards (A Home Depot/Lowes type store) for my fermentation fridge for $34 that has programmable digital readout and can control up to 16Amp load and handle heating and cooling. I will be buying a Ranco for my E-HLT build. Mounting plays a lot into your particular build. Ranco's and Johsnons are there own enclosure that just need attached. LOVE's need built into a project or placed in a project box.

Check out my Keezer in my sig line to see my LOVE mounted. They provide a more stylish integration IMO which is why I went with it for that particular application.

McKBrew · 06-10-2009, 08:58 PM

I am a big fan of the digital Rancos. Maybe because I own nothing else. Maybe because I had never wired anything like that before, and I figured it out. (It wasn't hard at all).

purechaos · 06-10-2009, 09:03 PM

i have 2 rancos pretty nice. one is mounted on the wall behind my fermentation freezer, the other is mounted on the back of my keezer via industrial velcro. you will need to spend about $6 and pick up an extension cord for the ranco but its is easy to wire up.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 06-11-2009, 01:16 AM

I have Rancos and Loves, I prefer the love controllers because they are more adaptalble and have a cleaner install. If you don't want to wire anything, Love is not an option for you.

DeafSmith · 06-11-2009, 02:14 AM

I have a Johnson A419 digital, and it works great. I probably would have gone with a Love if I was going to mount it in a cutout in the side of the freezer or fridge, but I wanted an already packaged unit. The Johnson has a very simple menu which makes it really easy to change the setpoint temp. or differential. So far, I'm totally happy with my A419.