Joeywhat
Well-Known Member
Looking for input and suggestions for off the shelf parts to build a heated fermentation chamber. I'm going to store this in my garage where it's cold, and heat it to the desired temperature. I'll only be lagering in this so probably won't be going higher then 50*-ish.
Anyways, I obviously need something to control the temperature. I already have a heating pad, and can probably grab a heat lamp for real cheap if needed. But how to control it? I've read the info on converting a furnace thermostat...I'd like to see what else is out that that doesn't require me to do any work...yeah I'm lazy. I've found a few things in pet stores but they look cheap as hell and only take the air temp, not the beer temp.
Anything out there that is digital, readily accepts a standard 120v device like a lamp and can be somehow affixed to a carboy to accurately read the temp?
ETA - is there a sort of dummies guide to electrical work if I end up creating something from scratch? I'm actually quite good with electronics...save for the 'theory' side of it. Hands on stuff I can do a good job.
Anyways, I obviously need something to control the temperature. I already have a heating pad, and can probably grab a heat lamp for real cheap if needed. But how to control it? I've read the info on converting a furnace thermostat...I'd like to see what else is out that that doesn't require me to do any work...yeah I'm lazy. I've found a few things in pet stores but they look cheap as hell and only take the air temp, not the beer temp.
Anything out there that is digital, readily accepts a standard 120v device like a lamp and can be somehow affixed to a carboy to accurately read the temp?
ETA - is there a sort of dummies guide to electrical work if I end up creating something from scratch? I'm actually quite good with electronics...save for the 'theory' side of it. Hands on stuff I can do a good job.