Digital VS Analog Temp Controller

[Alamo_Beer]

B3 has an analog temp controller for $54 and a digital for $64. The only real plus for the digital is they sell a thermowell carboy cap for ~$20.

Besides the thermowell wich I may want later is there any advantage to the digital one?

Should I save the $10 or will I want the digital later?

Thanks guys!

EDIT: are there any cheaper ones out there? I've looked on ebay but no dice

 

[homebrewer_99]

I just ordered this one and it's shipped already.

[email protected]


Your All Thermal Supply Order

Placed: 07/23/2007 19:48:41 EDT

ETC-111000 RANCO ETC-111000 Microprocessor Temp Control - $47.95
Shipping - $8.90
Sales Tax: - $0.00
Total - $56.85

It's the digital one which is always better for readouts.

 

[Beerrific]

Search ebay for the Ranco ETC-111000. They are out there and less than $64 shipped.

 

[ErikH]

Another advantage of the digital controller is that you can set the temperature differential to 1 degree, whereas the analog (I believe) has a built in differential of 3-4 degrees.

Therefore, if you're using it for fermentation control the digital is probably worth the extra cost. If you're using for cold storage/serving the analog is fine.

* this info is based on my research, not first hand experience. I've got my craigslist freezer, just haven't pulled the trigger on the controller yet.

 

[Alamo_Beer]

Yeah thats true but the fridge I'm going to be using is from like 1965...

So wouldn't the compressor be on all the freakin time?


Thanks for your help guys...still looking ALMOST have the $$$

 

[Drunkensatyr]

I use analog and have ZERO complaints. the 3-4 degree temp differential is not a big concern with me. If you are lagering or kegging, just drop the probe into a glass of water. It has always worked just fine for me. YMMV

 

[Bobby_M]

The real advantage to digital is that it tells you what the "current" temp is. On the analog models, you set the dial and hope it's well calibrated. In any case, you probably want to verify the actual fridge temp with a seperate thermometer, but you get the point. I just picked up an analog controller on Ebay for $29 shipped and I JUST missed one for $12 shipped. You have to keep a close watch on it.


I have a theory on the differntial concerns. If you have a controller capable of a 1 degree differential, it's best to submerge it in water or better yet, right into your fermenter. You want the actual temp swing to be a closer simulation to the beer. It takes a lot for a mass of water to swing.

If you have an analog only capable 3-4F differential, it's best to leave it in open air or at least a very small vial of water. You want it to react to ambient temp rises as quickly as possible so that temp will not affect your 5 gallons at all.

 

[FlyGuy]

I have both a Johnson analog and a Ranco digital controller. I greatly prefer the digital, for all the reasons mentioned above. Furthermore, the digital unit uses a thermocouple for a sensor, and the wire for it is long, flexible and easy to work with. But the analog one uses a capillary tube that I am always worried about breaking (so it isn't as 'portable').

Also, the digital Ranco model can be switched between heating and cooling mode easily (necessary for me because I use it to cool my fridge in the summer and heat it in the winter -- my fridge is in my garage). The Johnson analog can be used for both, also, but you have to re-wire it each time (not very convenient at all).

If you are considering both, I would highly recommend the digital for its convenience and flexibility.

 

[Bobby_M]

Flyguy brings up very valid points. The capilary bulb is OK if you're installing it once and just leaving it alone. If you're sure it's clean and sanitized, you can throw it right into the wort without a thermowell.

As long as you get a SPDT controller, you can hardwire it to a handybox with a duplex receptacle with the jumper removed so that one is for heat and one is for cool. No rewiring necessary.

In my case, I have my fermenting freezer in the basement. Ambient temp only ranges between 64-70F so it's more about cooling for me. If you ever hit a season where you only need a tiny bit of heating, say 1-3F above ambient, you can aways put a 5 watt light bulb in there and leave it on. It won't make the fridge work all that much harder but it will help edge you to the setpoint if you're a little low. I'll do this in the winter when I want to do an ale at 69F.

 

[Alamo_Beer]

Like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Johnson-Control...ryZ53302QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[Alamo_Beer]

SWEET!

Auction just ended....

I'm the new proud owner of:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260141597084&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

 

[drost]

SWEET!

Auction just ended....

I'm the new proud owner of:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260141597084&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

Nice buy! Great find!

 

[MrFebtober]

Couldn't agree more with what everyone has said about digital over analog. I went a slightly different route and got a heck of a deal on a used Omega MicroMega controller ($30 including shipping). One of the output relays was fried, but the other works great! Anyway, since I like to attach the control probe directly to the side of the keg (duct tape), an analog probe would be way too fragile for me. Also, as was said, being able to see the setpoint as well as the actual temperature lets you know exactly what's going on in there.

 

[ScubaSteve]

man, that omega controller is slick...even if it is straight outta battlestar galactica. Do you know where to find more of those? I'm looking at building a ferm cabinet and would really appreciate one of those.

 

[MrFebtober]

thanks. I just finished installing it last week (thinking of posting it in the DIY/brag section actually). I only half lucked out getting one. I got two of these controllers "as is" for $20 a piece, plus $10 shipping. One was dead on arrival and the second one had a fried Output 1 relay (fortunately Output 2 had never been used so it worked out). So, not sure i can offer much advice about picking them up on ebay since I nearly got burned on my purchase (though $50 total for one working controller still beats what they cost new). I've seen other brands of digital controllers on ebay for less than $50 that would probably also work fine, I just really wanted to go with Omega b/c I work with them all the time professionally and know them inside and out.

For instance, I don't have any experience with this controller, but on paper it looks like it would work just fine (3A output relay).

Also, if you want something really over kill but ridiculously cheap, this Honeywell controller might be fun to play around with, though might require an SSR for teh output.

 

[david_42]

Great deal there and just in time for the new kegger. That's about half of what I paid for one seven years ago. Old kegger will become a fermentation cabinet.

 

[ScubaSteve]

thanks. I just finished installing it last week (thinking of posting it in the DIY/brag section actually). I only half lucked out getting one. I got two of these controllers "as is" for $20 a piece, plus $10 shipping. One was dead on arrival and the second one had a fried Output 1 relay (fortunately Output 2 had never been used so it worked out). So, not sure i can offer much advice about picking them up on ebay since I nearly got burned on my purchase (though $50 total for one working controller still beats what they cost new). I've seen other brands of digital controllers on ebay for less than $50 that would probably also work fine, I just really wanted to go with Omega b/c I work with them all the time professionally and know them inside and out.

For instance, I don't have any experience with this controller, but on paper it looks like it would work just fine (3A output relay).

Also, if you want something really over kill but ridiculously cheap, this Honeywell controller might be fun to play around with, though might require an SSR for teh output.

Man, I like the way you think! SWMBO called a cease fire on my a$$...I recently acquired a bunch of equipment that someone was selling...but I should have most of what I need to build a 1 tier HERMS...that might keep me busy for a while!. I'll keep in touch though, and if you don't mind I may follow your lead on this thing!

 

[MrFebtober]

I can't wait until budget and space and time allow for me to make the jump to AG and build a 1- or 2-tier pump and keggle setup. Good luck ScubaSteve and, as always, post build pics of your rig when you get to it.

 

[ScubaSteve]

You know I will! This forum is an awesome meeting of the minds, and I really don't think I would have come this far without their help