DIY Temperature Controller?

I really would love to get into lagering, but have one big problem stopping me. I really don't want to shell out $50-something for a temperature controller. Does anyone know of a way to build or obtain one for cheaper?

Cheers,
Jeff

You could try this.

http://www.wortomatic.com/articles/Remote-Sensing-DIY-Controller-for-Less-Than-$25

I thought about that, I am just not sure how to get the thermostat to switch on a 120V Refrigerator or A/C unit...

Musketear said:

I thought about that, I am just not sure how to get the thermostat to switch on a 120V Refrigerator or A/C unit...

Click to expand...

You'll need a low voltage (12/24v power supply) and a relay. $10 - $15 for both of those items, unless you already have them lying around.

Which puts you at - $40 + your time for hacking the A/C thermostat.

Do yourself a favor and buy correctly designed parts the first time...

While I don't want to rain on your parade, I agree with lamarguy's first two statements.

I completely object to his third line, though. I really like making my own stuff. It's not always cheaper, it does take time, but I learn a ton, and it's very enjoyable.

lamarguy said:

Do yourself a favor and buy correctly designed parts the first time...

Click to expand...

Yuri_Rage said:

I completely object to his third line, though. I really like making my own stuff. It's not always cheaper, it does take time, but I learn a ton, and it's very enjoyable.

Click to expand...

If a part doesn't exist or can be built for a reasonable price (<= commercial part and of similar quality), I completely agree. But, hacking an A/C thermostat when well priced analog/digital controllers are available on the open market in an attempt to save $10 and potentially destroy a thermostat?

In the process, one might learn:

How to solder
About relays
About sensors
About circuit design

If the motivation is purely monetary, it's a bit of a frivolous venture. If the motivation is a learning experience culminating in the satisfaction of successfully building a useful tool...I say, brilliant!

Well... I sort of have to agree with both of you. 1, the savings is not worth the time. 2, the learning that might occur may be worth it.

But right now I don't have the time for the learning. So I guess lagering will have to wait until I have a little more cash to spend on stuff.

Musketear said:

I really don't want to shell out $50-something for a temperature controller.

Click to expand...

The OP is looking for less expensive alternative not a vocational lesson. I agree with Lamarguy.

Yuri_Rage said:

If the motivation is purely monetary, it's a bit of a frivolous venture. If the motivation is a learning experience culminating in the satisfaction of successfully building a useful tool...I say, brilliant!

Click to expand...

Philosophically speaking, I say brilliant too!

Musketear, good luck with your temperature control problem.

I thought everybody bought these things off ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Penn-Johnson-Co...2c50f888d8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_500wt_1000

I got mine for about $25 + shipping.

here ya go:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/diy-temp-controller-build-133364/

it works great, especially if you have soldering and electrical skills (i kinda learned on the fly, but it was a fun project). ran me about $38 total.

I did the thermostat mod from the wortomatic site for my son of fermentation chiller. Granted, it doesn't have a relay, but the remote thermistor works great. I tape the thermistor to my fermentor and cover it with a folded paper towel. Now the thermostat reads within 1deg of my fermometer. I don't see why you couldn't just add an SSR.

(FWIW, after much bitter experience, I've come to the self-realization that I like to build stuff myself, even though it usually costs more in the end. To be completely honest, I think I may enjoy building the gadgets more than actually brewing. Brewing is just an excuse to design/build new toys...)

I think this is another good alternative. I will be getting one this weekend.
(http://screwdecaf.cx/yatc.html)

you dug up an old thread, but there is a $40 DIY 2-stage controller that you can build.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/