Johnson Controls digital thermostat - $60

http://bit.ly/bPKYgC

Found this on eBay - the guy has 5 left at the time of my posting this thread. It's listed as new in factory packaging - after shipping comes to a few cents under $60. They look like they're $75 at Northern Brewer, etc.

Bought mine this morning and got same-day ship confirmation!

Does it come with the probe and wired?

It says it comes with the probe, probably not wired. Still a decent price.

springer said:

Does it come with the probe and wired?

Click to expand...

I bought a Ranco from the same guy. Fast delivery, NIB quality. The Ranco came with a probe, but no other wiring. Probably the same for the Johnson.

Wow, I wish I would have read that...

So how difficult is this thing going to be to wire? I plan on using it with a chest freezer.

:/

Burgs said:

So how difficult is this thing going to be to wire?

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Only a little more complicated than wiring a wall switch. Instructions are included. If you can read a wiring diagram, you'll be fine.

I've bought two of the Johnsons from that guy. They do not include the cord.

AnOldUR said:

Only a little more complicated than wiring a wall switch. Instructions are included. If you can read a wiring diagram, you'll be fine.

Click to expand...

Got this wired last night, it was simple. Here's the wiring diagram I used (cause it was in color and a little easier to read):

http://www.beveragefactory.com/images/guides/A419ABG-3C.pdf

Question, do some people just cut the plug off the freezer and hard-wire it straight to that? I mean, I realize I'm altering the freezer at that point... but if I'm always going to use it for brewing purposes and I don't mind always having a thermostat wired in, what's the harm? Would leave me with a lot less excess wiring on the back, which would make me happy.

Sure, you could it it that way. Leave a foot or whatever you need at the freezer end and use what you cutoff as the input power plug to the controller. I suggest getting a strain relief (Home Depot/Lowes) to mount in the bottom that will hold the cords secure.

If you ever needed to get rid of the freezer and wanted it operating normally, you can pick up a replacement cord for cheap.

Burgs said:

Question, do some people just cut the plug off the freezer and hard-wire it straight to that? I mean, I realize I'm altering the freezer at that point... but if I'm always going to use it for brewing purposes and I don't mind always having a thermostat wired in, what's the harm? Would leave me with a lot less excess wiring on the back, which would make me happy.

Click to expand...

Hard wired mine in where the existing thermostat is. By-passed it using crimp on disconnects on the wires from the Ranco so that the existing cord and plug could be used. If I ever want to go back to it being a freezer, all I have to do is slip of my Ranco disconnects and put the freezer ones back on.

All day every day 54.95 a419
http://www.pexsupply.com/Johnson-Co...age-Digital-Temperature-Control-120-240v-SPDT

fixed the wrong link

I just bought one earlier today on ebay for $50 with free shipping. I saw a thread here and jumped on it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...5196213&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_928

Henrythe9th said:

All day every day 53.95 a419
http://www.pexsupply.com/Johnson-Co...le-Stage-Digital-Temperature-Control-24v-SPDT

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That one is a 24v DC unit. I think this is the one most would get:

http://www.pexsupply.com/Johnson-Co...age-Digital-Temperature-Control-120-240v-SPDT

It's almost the same price as the 24v model.

Catt22 said:

That one is a 24v DC unit. I think this is the one most would get:

http://www.pexsupply.com/Johnson-Co...age-Digital-Temperature-Control-120-240v-SPDT

It's almost the same price as the 24v model.

Click to expand...

Yeah, most chest freezers don't have a 24v power source.