BrewPi ferm chamber heating options

[jmshipe]

What's the best option for a heat source in a 4-5 cu. ft. wine cooler ferm chamber?

I'm using a Haier BC112G just like this thread by fall-line.

Things I'm thinking about:

• 110v AC
• small footprint
• safely operates unattended
• waterproof

I'm looking mostly at pet heaters and aquarium heaters due to their footprint, easy installation, and safety. Can I use an aquarium heater even though it's not submerged? I fear that without the water dissipating the heat that it may quickly overheat.

What about one of those infrared ceramic reptile heaters plugged into a regular bulb socket? I could easily mount that near the top of the cooler and not have to worry about it getting wet.

 

[Summers]

look at a few seedling heat mats, this is what I use and they come in different sizes.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dlawngarden&field-keywords=Seedling+Heat+Mat

 

[jmshipe]

Awesome, thanks for the tip. They are quite large, but I'm sure I can make that work. and it certainly looks easy enough to install. Perhaps I can velcro it to the side of the chamber.

 

[GreyRaven]

I use a low power (cheap) hair dryer in mine. It was less expensive than any of the heating pads (around $15 at Walmart) and works fine. I have it sitting on the hump in the back of the beverage fridge I use for the chamber and taped the cord up out of the way. The blow dryer is never on more than a few minutes at a time, and easily takes the temp up to around 100 degrees F. The beer temp stays very stable.

I just wish mine could do a better job at colder temps.

 

[Kampenken]

I like to keep it to something that is made for humid conditions, can be immersed and are low wattage. I chose a Zoo Med reptile heating cable, 25w and its more than enough. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OVBEEK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 this link is more expensive, but in the lower right there is the Petco one for ~$12.

 

[jmshipe]

Thanks. I'm actually headed to the pet store tonight after work, so I'll take a look.

 

[Kampenken]

I called around and the stores didnt stock them so had to order online. But it does work great!

 

[govner1]

I use a low power (cheap) hair dryer in mine. It was less expensive than any of the heating pads (around $15 at Walmart) and works fine. I have it sitting on the hump in the back of the beverage fridge I use for the chamber and taped the cord up out of the way. The blow dryer is never on more than a few minutes at a time, and easily takes the temp up to around 100 degrees F. The beer temp stays very stable.

I just wish mine could do a better job at colder temps.

I used a "cheap" heater w/ fan until it caught fire!
I now use this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F9CV7K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[jmshipe]

I think one of the reptile heating cables will be best since they are waterproof, take up very little space, and will distribute heat evenly. Thanks all!

 

[Kampenken]

I agree, plus why would you want a high wattage heater in a small space? Low wattage is more than plenty to do the job. Now I'm thinking about updating the STC 1000+ to use dual probes. If I set the hysteresis to under 1.2 I've experienced under/over shoot. Wondering if with 2nd probe I can get tighter control (.5- .7F) let's say.