Ferm Chamber heater 150w ceramic bulb

[m1k3]

I brew 15 gallon batches in my chest freezer and wanted a heater for the winter.

This is what I came up with.... It's a 150 watt reptile heater bulb. I know the compressor hump is much closer to one fermenter.... Maybe add a fan?

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[normonster]

Looks great. I had to add a fan just for even cooling so with the heat rising I'd say you probably should add that as well.

 

[m1k3]

How about the wattage? 150 watts for 15.6 cu ft chest freezer with 15 gallons of fermenting beer... inside a garage (in California)

Does that seem reasonable?
(I'm not really concerned it's too much since the temp controller will regulate it.)
And the metal arch over the top should prevent a single hot spot right on the lid.

A fan will help with that too. I guess you would want to draw the air across the element rather than blow directly on it.

 

[day_trippr]

A cursory search indicates your area experiences seasonal low temperatures in the high 30s°F, so 150 watts may not be unreasonable.

I would definitely install a small pc fan running 24/7 to prevent temperature stratification.
It doesn't take much, an 80mm fan running at half speed is plenty...

Cheers!

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I would think you would only need that much on the coldest of nights in the winter.In the winter my basement gets into low 50's and I just hang a 40W incandesant bulb in the freezer and it works well. 7CF freezer.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

I use the 200W Lasko Personal heater with its built in fan in my tiny like mayhbe 10cuft stand up freezer and it works great. That said i dont really feel it puts out 200W of heat...the air that comes out is colder than my car heater on max hot. But you definitely want a fan.

 

[govner1]

I've been using a 150w ceramic bulb in my ferm chamber (holds 6 carboys) for several years w/ great success in maintaining steady temps. I also use a small fan that runs 24/7 to better circulate both cold & warm air.
I had a small combo heater/fan unit in my first ferm chamber but changed the setup after it caught on FIRE! Fortunately the controller cut the power when the temp went up & the chamber was sealed tightly enough to snuff it out before my house burned down.