Which Temperature controller did you use?

As the title asks. Which do you use? and why do you use it?

I'm going to be putting together a couple of keezers for lagering and for servind... I need some tips on what hardware I should use!

I love rancos, have 5 of them and never any problems.

I have a Love and a Johnson. I use the Love on my kegerator mounted on a panel so I can see the temp from behind the bar. I use the Johnson for my fermwraps. Both work great! The only reason for different brands was the different form factors.

I had a Ranco on my Keezer. It worked great for about 4 years. But I had to unplug it recently (since it was empty, hadn't brewed in a year or 2, didnt see the point of running it with no beer in it) got back into brewing, plugged it back in after a few months and got the old E2 error. So now I need to replace it. After reading so many issues with the Rancos I am going to get a LOVE to replcae it. I have not seen one single report about a LOVE controller failing

92greenyj said:

I had a Ranco on my Keezer. It worked great for about 4 years. But I had to unplug it recently (since it was empty, hadn't brewed in a year or 2, didnt see the point of running it with no beer in it) got back into brewing, plugged it back in after a few months and got the old E2 error. So now I need to replace it. After reading so many issues with the Rancos I am going to get a LOVE to replcae it. I have not seen one single report about a LOVE controller failing

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I keep hearing this, but... Rancos are probably used 10 to 1 over loves for keezer control. So there's obviously going to be a higher fail rate, which I believe if someone did an actual study would be a very low percentage. And there no telling how many failures are the fault of the user.

I have a digital Ranco. Single stage. Digital. One degree differential. Easily wired. and only cost about $50.

wildwest450 said:

I keep hearing this, but... Rancos are probably used 10 to 1 over loves for keezer control. So there's obviously going to be a higher fail rate, which I believe if someone did an actual study would be a very low percentage. And there no telling how many failures are the fault of the user.

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I understand that. But in my situation right now, the LOVE is cheaper than the Ranco, and as I said, I have seen no complaints at all about the LOVE controllers. I liked my Ranco. it worked well and did its job. I just don't like the failure rate I've been seeing out of them. So im gonna try something different this time

I have used the analog Johnson, the Ranco, and several LOVE controllers.

I hands down prefer the LOVE. I suggest the LOVE TSS2-2100 for fermentation control. It is dual stage so you can control heat and cooling with a single probe. The TS2 is good for a keezer because it will always be below ambient.

I prefer the LOVE controllers because they provide a lot more flexibility in programming, and look about a million times better (IMO). The only downside is more advanced wiring is required.

I still use a ranco on my keezer and it works just fine. I just prefer the LOVEs.

There is a really good thread here for programming the LOVEs if you search "LOVE 2008+"

I've been using a Love controller for about 18 hours and so far I really like it. Wiring it up was really easy and programming it was simple too.

Ranco for me but only because I found it at a good price. easy to wire up also.

i have 2 johnson a-19s one on my keezer and one for my garage fridge for cold crashing / fermetning. My plan is to buy a ranco dual stage controller when my fermentation chamber is done. That way i can heat and cool with the same instrument.

Ranco for me. $50, works great.

I use a Ranco digital for my chest freezer. I ferment with it to keep my carboy at 68 or 66 degrees, depending what I am fermenting. I need it in Florida, room temp can get so hot even in winter it is in the upper 70's. I also use it to keep my kegged beer at 38 degrees. I love it, never had a problem, very reliable and very easy to program and use.

After weeks of research I decided to buy a Love for the following reasons:

- Cheaper
- More programing options
- Neater interface (can be fitted to a keezer collar instead of hanging outside)
- Seems to be extremelly reliable

It does require some wiring, which can be a challenge for someone like me, but there is enough help here that I feel confortable making the move.

Indyking said:

After weeks of research I decided to buy a Love for the following reasons:

- Cheaper
- More programing options
- Neater interface (can be fitted to a keezer collar instead of hanging outside)
- Seems to be extremelly reliable

It does require some wiring, which can be a challenge for someone like me, but there is enough help here that I feel confortable making the move.

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Yup, I'm leaning towards the Love controller myself... It seems to be the best choice and the most readily available critter of its type in Ontario!

I have a ranco single stage for kreezer and the ebay aquarium dual stage for my fermentation mini fridge. I like both but I like the ebay 1 better maybe because I asked the question about it first or maybe because its a dual stage and it was like $30 back when I got mine. The only downside to it is it only reads in Celsius.

Csuho said:

The only downside to it is it only reads in Celsius.

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That would be a plus for me! As anyone in the world, but Americans, I'm used to metric units, which makes more sense IMHO. I'm buying my Love in ºC, not in ºF. I like the simple fact that freezing means zero degrees in ºC. Besides, ºC is more elegant

Indyking said:

That would be a plus for me! As anyone in the world, but Americans, I'm used to metric units, which makes more sense IMHO. I'm buying my Love in ºC, not in ºF. I like the simple fact that freezing means zero degrees in ºC. Besides, ºC is more elegant

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Oh yeah.....Well, "C" you!!!

i built both of mine from household thermostats and 20 amp relay's based on wortomatic's design

I have one from chicompany that sells for $39. I've had it for around a year and a half with no problems.