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jar1087 · 12-09-2011, 04:48 AM

I'd say 18 or lower. I used 14.

**emjay** · 12-09-2011, 05:44 AM

Don't use anything smaller than 14.

Misplaced_Canuck · 12-09-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

Don't use anything smaller than 14.

I'll agree with this. I tried 16 AWG from a computer monitor, and test ran it with a small space heater (under 1000W). The 16 gauge wire got quite warm within 10 minutes. I rewired to 14 gauge.

M_C

zonabb · 12-09-2011, 04:10 PM

Got a quick heating element question, hopefully to get some clarification. I bult this controller over the summer and am just getting around to using it. I have it connected to a small chest freezer so the contact between the freezer and the carboy will cool the carboy directly, as well as some colling through the ambient air temp. However, I have a small fan heater that will rapidly heat the air and therefore trigger much faster than it would heat the carboy and wort.

So obviously, taping the sensor to the carboy is the issue here. Submerging it in the wort is out of the question IMO. So, is there a way to shield/insulate the sensor from the ambient air? I searched through this massive thread and couldn't find the ansswer.

**emjay** · 12-09-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonabb

So, is there a way to insulate the sensor from the ambient air?

Uhh... use an insulating material? Like, perhaps, actual insulation? Styrofoam works really well, and bubble wrap supposedly does too.

**Tinga** · 12-09-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonabb

Got a quick heating element question, hopefully to get some clarification. I bult this controller over the summer and am just getting around to using it. I have it connected to a small chest freezer so the contact between the freezer and the carboy will cool the carboy directly, as well as some colling through the ambient air temp. However, I have a small fan heater that will rapidly heat the air and therefore trigger much faster than it would heat the carboy and wort.

So obviously, taping the sensor to the carboy is the issue here. Submerging it in the wort is out of the question IMO. So, is there a way to shield/insulate the sensor from the ambient air? I searched through this massive thread and couldn't find the ansswer.

use some styrofoam or bubble wrap and just tape it over the top of the probe.

**TrainSafe** · 12-09-2011, 04:16 PM

Tape the temp sensors to the side of the fermentation vessel. Then cover it with some bubble wrap and duct tape. This will give you a measurement very close to the liquid temp. It provides a more stable reading than ambient air which fluctuates each time the temp controller kicks on/off.

zonabb · 12-09-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

Uhh... use an insulating material? Like, perhaps, actual insulation? Styrofoam works really well, and bubble wrap supposedly does too.

Obviously.

My intent was to see how everyone was doing it, not to ask if such a material existed. Testing a method to see if it works is more time consuming than finding a method known to work!!!! As someone finishing a doctorate (the reason I built this thing this summer and am just now getting to it), I've learned that being original isn't all its cracked up to be because someone somewhere already has the answer!!!!!!

jar1087 · 12-09-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar1087

I bought one of these about 100 pages ago and just love it. I just ordered another one for a second fermentation fridge build. Found this one from a U.S. seller for $19.88 shipped, so I thought that I would share.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

So I just checked eBay to see the status of my order and it's on its way, should be delivered on 12/13 - 6 days after I ordered it. Unfortunately, the seller has since updated the item and it now shows as $119.88 (+$100 since I ordered) and shipping from Hong Kong now instead of Cali...

I went back and looked at the item that I ordered to make 100% sure that I didn't somehow spend $120, but it went through at $19.88. So sorry guys, looks like this deal isn't going any longer.

**JuanMoore** · 12-09-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonabb

Obviously.

My intent was to see how everyone was doing it, not to ask if such a material existed. Testing a method to see if it works is more time consuming than finding a method known to work!!!! As someone finishing a doctorate (the reason I built this thing this summer and am just now getting to it), I've learned that being original isn't all its cracked up to be because someone somewhere already has the answer!!!!!!

Method proven to work well by many on this site: tape the probe to the fermenter, and then tape an insulating material on top of the probe. Insulating materials I've seen used for this include; folded up paper towl, rag, bubble wrap, reflectix, neoprene, foam padding, etc.