Economical Digital Temperature Controller

[javaking]

Hello All,

I am looking into buying a digital temp controller for a small fridge that I recently bought. The idea is to do my primary fermentation in the fridge so I can control the temp. Do you have any suggestions for a relatively cheap controller?

I found this one on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V4TJR00/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It is only $26, I just wanted to get some input on whether or not it looks like it will work for my intended purpose.

Thanks!

 

[TheHappyHopper]

I use the STC-1000. It is only about $15 on Amazon. You do have to wire it up yourself, but there are tons of easy instructions on this forum showing how to do it. Even after buying the extra necessary parts to wire it up, I think I spent $20 total.

Plus, it looks like on that one you posted you can only do either heating OR cooling. With the STC-1000, you can have 2 different outlets, one to plug your fridge into for cooling, and one to plug in a heating element.

 

[Carusoat]

It cost me just about that much to make one using an STC-1000f and a Radio Shack project box. There's lots of information around to do it and it's really easy.

 

[BigFloyd]

Be mindful that the unit you've linked to is rated for just 5A.

If you are able to do basic household wiring, the STC-1000 is the inexpensive dual controller (both cool and heat outlets) of choice.

 

[javaking]

That sounds great, I can't wait to put it together.

Thanks!

 

[BigFloyd]

The STC-1000 setup is pretty straightfoward. You wire it into a standard 2-plug outlet that you mount in some kind of project box (either homemade or bought at Radio Shack). One (cool) outlet is for the freezer/fridge. If your fermenter chamber is placed where it’s cold (like a garage in winter), you plug some kind of small heater into the warm outlet and then put that heater inside the freezer. Otherwise, just use the cold outlet.

Set the target temp (in Celsius) on the STC-1000. Set the tolerance (default is +/-0.5*C). When the temp (as read by the sensor) climbs 0.5*C above the target, it powers up the cool outlet and keeps it energized until the temp drops to the target and then turns it off. Likewise with the warm outlet if it gets 0.5*C too cool. You tape the sensor on the side of the fermenter and place some kind of insulation like bubble wrap over top of it so that it reads the bucket temp and not the air.


http://www.amazon.com/Elitech-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat/dp/B008KVCPH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399600729&sr=8-1&keywords=stc-1000

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/stc-1000-setup-beginners-433985/#post5538096

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-fish-tank-controller-build-using-wal-mart-parts-261506/


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



http://brewstands.com/fermentation-heater.html

 

[javaking]

Just figured I'd give an update. Put this bad boy together this weekend. It was super easy as everyone said and cost me around $30 total (The project box I bought was $10). I just brewed a cream ale and have it fermenting with the new system . Thank you everyone!

Cheers!

 

[oljimmy]

I decided to try the Willhi 1436, mainly because I don't trust myself with electronics and wanted to save $50 off the Johnson controller. Past two days its been reliably regulating my kegerator. My fridge is rated for 0.6 amps so the 5A limit is no problem (manufacturer now claims that it's rated to 8A). I don't know about its durability, but at $22 it's an extremely sweet deal, and fairly easy to set up once you decode the instructions.