Fermentation Chamber w/ SMALL fridge???

[pinne65]

STC 1000 off eBay for $18. That is the easiest way to control the fermentation temp in the fridge. Go crazy and get an arduino and flash the stc with alphaomega's stc1000+ to get temp profiles. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/stc-1000-a-464348/

Thanks for the tip! Picked up an STC 1000 to arrive on Tue. Also, have a cheap thermo-mechanical thermostat for $6 to arrive on slow-boat from China. The refrigeration unit of the 1.7 is capable of doing sub-zero. My thermo is definitely shot, so i bypassed it and it got down to -1.

 

[BSD_Glass]

I think that will work fine. I put vinyl flooring on top of my foam floor in my huge (60 gallon in 4 60l spiedels) chamber powered with a 3-4 ish cf mini fridge.

If you can, I recommend picking up a usb powered (12 volt) case fan with or without speed control and sitting it in the freezer section of the mini fridge (freezer door removed) if it has one. I use one (always on unless racking) blowing through the cold plate freezer section and my whole chamber stays within 1* F. I put the actively fermenting spiedel next to the fan/fridge and move the more advanced ales down the line as it were.

Cheers.

BSD

 

[Kampenken]

Brewers - I'm about to embark on a similar project. Please take a look at my concept drawing (JPEG attached) and provide feedback. Really looking for you to shoot as many holes in the design as possible. I already have the 7 gal fermenter, the 1.8 CF mini fridge (all fridge, no freezer compartment), and the rolling cart. FYI... The summer temps in my garage regularly get into the high 80's degF. Thanks! - Jeff

So how did it turn out?? I just received a the same 7g Chronical for Christmas (its arrived already!) and have a 1.7 cf fridge. Didn't think about raising the fridge, not sure there is that much need for a small chamber?? I also have ordered the small pc fan and will install in the fridge, not sure if I will run all time or just tie in with the cooling. Any thoughts? Am thinking of a heating pad for warming as needed. My basement temps run 55 in winter to low to mid 70s in summer, so not a huge range. Will also use the 2" solid insulation as well as remove fridge door. Controlling temps all with a STC 1000. I can't wait to take to the next level with controlling temps, have made some great beers, but looking to always improve!