Alright so I have my controller installed and it works. Yay. I made a small modification to the fridge wiring so I am also now controlling the fan as well as the compressor. The fan was running constantly and this is going in an entertainment area so I wanted it quiet. I don't think I need the fan running all the time since I am not concerned about hot and cold pockets of air, since I'll be taping the probe to the side of the fermenter anyway and not using the fridge thermostat.
I am really torn on this heat source idea though since the fridge is in a climate controlled room and I don't completely like the idea of putting a heat source in an enclosed space that is controlled by 15 dollar Chinese controller. I will never brew a saison or a Belgium, since I don't really like them. I will do Lagers, Porters, and Ales mostly, and I would like to attempt some higher gravity beers.
The only two things keeping me from abandoning the heat idea all together are these...
1. I plan to lager and don't know if it would be better to have a heat source to bring the temp up for the a diacetyl rest or let it rise naturally with the cooling off.
2. The idea of having a heat source help keep the temps stable when the fermentation suddenly slows and is not producing the same thermogenic affect.
I am 5 minutes from being done with the chamber if I don't add heat and I'll do if it I need to but don't want to over complicated it if I wont see the benefit. The is 67 right now, fyi.
Thanks,
David