Fermentation Controllers?

[dmbnpj]

Can someone please explain how a dual stage temperature controller (such as a ranco) is used in brewing? I understand that one can be hooked up to a freezer to override the thermostat to raise the temp in the freezer to whatever the fermentation temp needs to be. But how is it used as a heater (in the winter)?

 

[Walker]

the dual stage controllers have the ability to kick on two different devices. for a heater, something as simple as a light bulb can be used to warm up the inside of a fermentation chamber.

 

[user 21663]

I use a Fermwrap on mine, attached to the side of the chest freezer with electrical tape. It's a 5 cu ft freezer so it is sufficient to heater the space. Just make sure to isolate the probe from ambient air. I put the probe right next to the carboy and cover it with bubble wrap.

 

[dmbnpj]

Hey I'm in Cary!! Hello

So it can control 2 different devices at the same time? For example, having it permanently hooked up to a chest freezer for our awful summer temperatures here in NC and then hooked up to an electric fermentation heater such as:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...ure-control/electric-fermentation-heater.html

...in the winter?

 

[wyzazz]

Hey I'm in Cary!! Hello

So it can control 2 different devices at the same time? For example, having it permanently hooked up to a chest freezer for our awful summer temperatures here in NC and then hooked up to an electric fermentation heater such as:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...ure-control/electric-fermentation-heater.html

...in the winter?

It can control 2 different devices but only one or the other is on at any given time. And yes, such as that one, but if you're in a freezer usually a light bulb or heating pad is all you'll need.

 

[kcpaige89]

Usually a heating pad is inside the freezer/refrigerator and both are controlled by the controller. So in the winter, when the freezer gets below the temp, the heating pad kicks on, and when it gets to the right temp, shuts off. If there is residual heat and the wort heats up too much, the controller will kick on and cool it back down.

Important notes:
Attach sensors to the carboy/bb, you want the temp of the WORT not the ambient air.
Set a degree of difference between the devices. If your desired temp is 65, set the freezer to 65.5 and the heater to 64.5. This will keep everything running smoothly.

 

[dmbnpj]

So is the ranco dual stage controller the best option?

 

[user 21663]

So is the ranco dual stage controller the best option?

For my setup, yes but they are not cheap. Also, if you are not comfortable with electricity and wiring, you'll need to buy the prewired version.

I got mine at morebeer.com and it was setup with the outlet style box instead of just cords wired in.

 

[dmbnpj]

For my setup, yes but they are not cheap. Also, if you are not comfortable with electricity and wiring, you'll need to buy the prewired version.

I got mine at morebeer.com and it was setup with the outlet style box instead of just cords wired in.

I am fine with following a diagram if someone posts the wiring diagram here. Thanks!

 

[dmbnpj]

And thinking about this, I guess there is no need for anything larger than a 5 cubic foot chest freezer since only one carboy is all that can be monitored at one time?

 

[kcpaige89]

And thinking about this, I guess there is no need for anything larger than a 5 cubic foot chest freezer since only one carboy is all that can be monitored at one time?

well, you can put the probe between 2 carboys, as long as they need to ferment at the same temp

 

[TomSD]

I have a TSS2-2100 on order. It'll arrive Monday. It can handle two devices so I'll build a box with two outlets on it for a heat lamp and the freezer I got off CL for 30 bucks. Should be more than enough for me since I can fit like 3 carboys in it, lol.

 

[dmbnpj]

So how and what are you using as a heat source inside the chest freezers hooked up to your temperature controllers?

 

[TomSD]

IR lamp... like what you would see in a terrarium for reptiles.

Oh and speaking of controller. I just finished putting mine together...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/another-tss2-controller-box-build-195713/

 

[user 21663]

I have a fermwrap that you use on carboys, but I used electrical tape and taped it inside on the chest freezer wall.

 

[Indyking]

Here is something I don't understand:

Why would anyone need a dual stage temp controller? If you just put your chest freezer inside your house, it's not like it will ever get bellow lagering temperatures inside it. Of course, if you put it in the garage, I it may freeze your wort suppose in a very cold day requiring a dual stage controller with a heater, but why not just move the freezer to inside, have a simple and cheaper one stage controller connected to it, and save a lot of energy (no heater)? Lack of room inside to put the freezer may be an issue I guess, but still, if a house has a garage, it probably has some room inside that can fit a small freezer, no?

 

[TomSD]

My house gets down in the 40s at night in the winter sometimes and it isn't that unusual for it to dip below 60 at night for half the year. I'm in about the mildest climate there is too.

Will the heater ever even kick in? Probably not but I might as well include it just to be sure. Besides it is another thing for me to mess around with, lol.

 

[Walker]

My fermentation fridge sits in the garage and needs to be warmed up in the winter time b/c the temp in the garage gets down into the lower 50's.

I can't drag it inside because it's large (no place to put it), ugly (which would piss off the wife and make an otherwise nice room look ugly), and full of fermenting beer (which my kids would probably mess with).

So, in short: i need dual stage because my life and house are different than yours.

 

[Indyking]

My house gets down in the 40s at night in the winter sometimes and it isn't that unusual for it to dip below 60 at night for half the year. I'm in about the mildest climate there is too.

Will the heater ever even kick in? Probably not but I might as well include it just to be sure. Besides it is another thing for me to mess around with, lol.

WOW, 40, really? I suppose you don't have heater in your house. Still, if your house gets into 40, it is very unlikely that the wort temperature wil ever get bellow that inside a chest freezer which provides another layer of insulation. But I if you don't have a house heater, I can see why the dual stage controller may be handy for you because it can keep your desired temp range very narrow avoiding big fluctuations.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Didn't read the thread so sorry if someone has already linked to a build thread. But my side-by-side build details how the build goes and how to use a LOVE TSS2-2100.

Find the link in my sig.

 

[Indyking]

I think you need it outside because:

would piss off the wife

That I can understand...

BTW, my house is not that big but I already pay for heat in the winter and to cool it in the summer, so I refuse to pay for both again inside my cheap and uggly chest freezer, should I decide to lager.

 

[Walker]

pissing off my wife is the least of my concerns, but it's definitely on the list of why I want the thing outside.

I am not a superficial kind of person, but our house is pretty nice. A big puke yellow dented fridge sitting on the hardwood next to the granite counters and stainless steel appliances would look a little out of place.

 

[Indyking]

pissing off my wife is the least of my concerns, but it's definitely on the list of why I want the thing outside.

I am not a superficial kind of person, but our house is pretty nice. A big puke yellow dented fridge sitting on the hardwood next to the granite counters and stainless steel appliances would look a little out of place.

Sure, I understand, I was just teasing you.

None of my business, but have you considered replacing the ugly yellow beast in the garage? These new small chest freezers are a lot more energy efficient and look much nicer these days. I bet one of those set inside with no need for heater in the freezer would save you a lot of money in the long run, but you may still not have the space for it in your nice kitchen. I have a basement, not so nice, but warm enough in the winter to avoid a freezer heater and cool enough in the summer to avoid over killing the freezer compressor. Cheap and simple. My kitchen has no room for a freezer and my wife would never allow it anyway

 

[TomSD]

WOW, 40, really? I suppose you don't have heater in your house. Still, if your house gets into 40, it is very unlikely that the wort temperature wil ever get bellow that inside a chest freezer which provides another layer of insulation. But I if you don't have a house heater, I can see why the dual stage controller may be handy for you because it can keep your desired temp range very narrow avoiding big fluctuations.

I don't use AC or heat in the house. For the most part I don't need it. I don't mind being warm as long as I have a fan and I can always dress for the cold. The beer on the other hand.

Really though I doubt the heater will ever be used but I got a chest freezer off CL and once I refurb it I figure what the hell... the heating side of it is only a light bulb and cheap clamp on light fixture. Better safe than sorry and it is all fun, fun hobby time for me anyway.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Here is something I don't understand:

Why would anyone need a dual stage temp controller? If you just put your chest freezer inside your house, it's not like it will ever get bellow lagering temperatures inside it. Of course, if you put it in the garage, I it may freeze your wort suppose in a very cold day requiring a dual stage controller with a heater, but why not just move the freezer to inside, have a simple and cheaper one stage controller connected to it, and save a lot of energy (no heater)? Lack of room inside to put the freezer may be an issue I guess, but still, if a house has a garage, it probably has some room inside that can fit a small freezer, no?

You would be amazed how nice it is have dual control. Stepped fermentation chamber, exact ferment temps in any climate, dial in diacetyl rests, step up temp at the end of ale ferment to fully attenuate, etc.

It is a really nice feature and for $20 extra it is silly IMO not to buy this option.

 

[Walker]

I'm sure a newer appliance wold be more energy efficient, but there's still no place to put it inside the house. The heating on the winter would still be needed.

All my beer stuff has to stay in the garage.

Except my little kegerator. That has a home in the corner of the dining room.

 

[Indyking]

You would be amazed how nice it is have dual control. Stepped fermentation chamber, exact ferment temps in any climate, dial in diacetyl rests, step up temp at the end of ale ferment to fully attenuate, etc.

It is a really nice feature and for $20 extra it is silly IMO not to buy this option.

I know, but you still have to switch it back and forth depending if you want the heater or the cooling on. I don't think there is any dual controller that senses automatically the need for one or another and switches it automatically, right? So, that seems a lot of work and monitoring.

Also it is not only $20 extra because you have to pay the electricity to trigger that heater every single time it goes off... plus the wiring that costs more to do if somebody is hired to install it(that would be my case). A instaled dual would cost me $60 extra comapred to a single if I decided to get it according to my research.

 

[Indyking]

I don't use AC or heat in the house. For the most part I don't need it. I don't mind being warm as long as I have a fan and I can always dress for the cold. The beer on the other hand.

Really though I doubt the heater will ever be used but I got a chest freezer off CL and once I refurb it I figure what the hell... the heating side of it is only a light bulb and cheap clamp on light fixture. Better safe than sorry and it is all fun, fun hobby time for me anyway.

You would be amazed how nice it is have dual control. Stepped fermentation chamber, exact ferment temps in any climate, dial in diacetyl rests, step up temp at the end of ale ferment to fully attenuate, etc.

It is a really nice feature and for $20 extra it is silly IMO not to buy this option.

Yep, it does make sense for both of you.

 

[Walker]

Not true. There are a couple controllers that do not need to be flipped into cooling or heating modes. No monitoring is required.

 

[Indyking]

Not true. There are a couple controllers that do not need to be flipped into cooling or heating modes. No monitoring is required.

OK, now that is just my local brewer fooling me then... Can you give me model examples so I can prove them otherwise? Thanks.