Fermentation Controllers?

[elkdog]

If one wanted to brew a belgian that needed to be stepped up to 80F or more, a two-stage controller would be a lot easier and economical than setting the house heat to 80. My fermentation chamber, currently fermenting its first batch, is in my office because it's prettier than Walker's, but I still got a two-step controller for it, just in case.

 

[Walker]

I am using my phone right now, but when I get home I can dig up links (if someone doesn't beat me to it).

 

[Ki-ri-n]

How about building one: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/

Can't wait for mine to get here. Got the Chamber part w/ cooling all setup right now. Waiting on the controller to build the rest of it :rockin:

 

[Walker]

Indy: search this forum for "ebay temperature controller". There is a huge thread with people using a $30 controller off ebay that can do this.

 

[dmbnpj]

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

Ranco dual stage temperature controller Model ETC-211000-000


Plus, the MoreBeer website sells this unit already prewired if you dont want to waste the time trying to piece together a unit yourself.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I prefer the LOVE TSS2-2100. With this controller I just set one temperature, and the controller automatically controls to that temp based on temperature feedback by either heating or cooling. No wasted energy, either the heater is running, or the compressor is running, not both.

I even have my controller tuned to my system such that the temperature never overshoots and "coasts" to the desired temperature.

The TSS2 is $20 more than the TS2 (single stage) and the wiring is the same. It is very easy and I have personally walked several people through the wiring who had zero electrical background.

Just making sure everyone reading this knows, this is an easy project. Here is one way to install: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/side-side-fermentation-chamber-build-105054/

and another, portable solution: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/temperature-controller-box-portable-solution-128443/

 

[TomSD]

I prefer the LOVE TSS2-2100. With this controller I just set one temperature, and the controller automatically controls to that temp based on temperature feedback by either heating or cooling. No wasted energy, either the heater is running, or the compressor is running, not both.

I even have my controller tuned to my system such that the temperature never overshoots and "coasts" to the desired temperature.

The TSS2 is $20 more than the TS2 (single stage) and the wiring is the same. It is very easy and I have personally walked several people through the wiring who had zero electrical background.

Just making sure everyone reading this knows, this is an easy project. Here is one way to install: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/side-side-fermentation-chamber-build-105054/

and another, portable solution: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/temperature-controller-box-portable-solution-128443/

This is why I went with the TSS2... here was my solution:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/another-tss2-controller-box-build-195713/

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I saw that the other day. I love your idea!

Did you program it to operate in response to SP1only? That was a huge difference for me. You can tailor the "coast" or thermal momentum with the SP2 value. I have my SP2 set to -.8 for my current chamber and it is perfect.

Here is the programming list: parameters "r0"=dep, "r2"=1.5, "c1"=dir, "c2"=inv, and "SP2"=-0.5<x<-2.0 (at least IME)

 

[Indyking]

Thanks guys for the suggestions about dual controllers that switch automatically.


Let me put some context in this: I'm thinking about buying a controller for my small chest freezer, which we don't use, so I can lager. I have a basement, nothing really super, decent enough to fit the freezer comfortably. The basement temp is stable at around 70F in the summer and 60F in the winter. It never gets bellow that because my house has central heater. So, to keep my freezer in stable lagering temps, all I need to keep the temp very stable at +/-2F range is a standard temp controller that will kick off the compressor when temps get higher my set temp. So, I don't need a heater inside the freezer because my room temp already does that job for me. So, my local brewing supply shop has one of those single digital controllers (Johnson I think) that don't even require professional installation. Very easy to set it! But what they are trying to do is to sell me a dual one but since it requires wiring and professional installation, they wanna charge big time for it. They keep saying the dual is the best option although they have no answer for my arguments against it in my case but they are also saying that their dual controller does not switch to heat and cooling modes automatically because there is no such a thing in the market!

 

[TomSD]

I saw that the other day. I love your idea!

Did you program it to operate in response to SP1only? That was a huge difference for me. You can tailor the "coast" or thermal momentum with the SP2 value. I have my SP2 set to -.8 for my current chamber and it is perfect.

Here is the programming list: parameters "r0"=dep, "r2"=1.5, "c1"=dir, "c2"=inv, and "SP2"=-0.5<x<-2.0 (at least IME)

I am playing with it now but it is running on my keezer (well what will be my keezer ) until I finish refurbishing the CL freezer I got for a fermentor.

I'll probably take a straight rip of your programming and tweak from there since the heat/cool transfer was confusing me a bit right out of the gate, lol.

 

[TomSD]

Thanks guys for the suggestions about dual controllers that switch automatically.


Let me put some context in this: I'm thinking about buying a controller for my small chest freezer, which we don't use, so I can lager. I have a basement, nothing really super, decent enough to fit the freezer comfortably. The basement temp is stable at around 70F in the summer and 60F in the winter. It never gets bellow that because my house has central heater. So, to keep my freezer in stable lagering temps, all I need to keep the temp very stable at +/-2F range is a standard temp controller that will kick off the compressor when temps get higher my set temp. So, I don't need a heater inside the freezer because my room temp already does that job for me. So, my local brewing supply shop has one of those single digital controllers (Johnson I think) that don't even require professional installation. Very easy to set it! But what they are trying to do is to sell me a dual one but since it requires wiring and professional installation, they wanna charge big time for it. They keep saying the dual is the best option although they have no answer for my arguments against it in my case but they are also saying that their dual controller does not switch to heat and cooling modes automatically because there is no such a thing in the market!

For your situation a dual would be overkill I think. I would bet you can find a cheaper single on the web than locally specially if they are trying to upsell you... doesn't sound very helpful to me.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

What? Wine and hop shop said that? Shame on them. What brand controller are they selling and for how much?

Man, save the cash and headache. We can walk you through an install for less cost for a better controller.

I would go with the setup that TomSD came up with. It is super cheap and easy to find every part. The box I bought for my portable one was a bit pricier, but that is an option as well.

Here is the controller you want:

http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/Product.cfm?Group_ID=622&Product_ID=1012&sPageName=Ordering

You want a TSS2-2100 controller and a TS1 probe, grand total of $75.00 plpus the parts from the hardware store. Less than one bill and trust me, you will love the control. You won't know how you functioned before and exact control is great for the beer.

Ever wonder what a ferment at 68º tasted like instead of 66º on your haus ale? Now you can know...



Trust me, we can help you get this small project done. If you have a digicam, we can even double check everything for you before you power it up. I would say if you have ZERO electrical experience, this project will take you 2 hours.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Sorry, the single stage LOVE is $52.50 (16.50 cheaper) but everything else would be the same. You can also get a ranco, pre-wired, but having used both, I much prefer the LOVE brand. I would not purchase an analog Johnson, they just seem like a waste of $30 to me. I am sure the Wine and Hop shop has one of those, but not sure if that is what they are selling to you...

I used to love that store when I was out in Mad town a lot. Cool guys, maybe they just don't know what they are talking about???

 

[TomSD]

Yeah the Home Depot run cost about 40 bucks and everything is pretty much guaranteed to be in stock as it is all basic stuff. If you don't do electrical add another 5 or 10 bucks for a bag of caps and a couple feet of bulk wire.

Oh and Boerderij_Kabouter is probably right... investing in a better one now makes sense as you will benefit from it as you improve your brewing methods.

I just got to that point myself and will soon be doing my first temp controlled batch. It will be so much easier to replicate results when I know what my batch is fermenting at instead of guessing based on season, lol.

EDIT: Only difference would be the single stage would only need a three gang box... two gang if you don't need an unswitched outlet. You'd also save on not having to buy the extra outlets, depending which route you went.

 

[Indyking]

Thanks a lot guys. I may get the LOVE one as Boerderij_Kabouter suggested and will probably need help. I mean, you guys have no idea, I'm really hopeless when it comes to electrical.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Haha... this is a good starter project. It is pretty much connect the dots. Cheers!!!

 

[dmbnpj]

Then I would suggest the prewired Ranco dual controller from MoreBeer, but they are on backorder right now for a couple weeks. I have learned from trying to do seemingly simple things on here myself can take forever even for the simple things. Going to lowes 4 times because you always just need one more thing. Trying to save a few dollars is now not worth my time rather than just getting what I need at a price I can afford. Time is money.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

That is a valid point of view. If $40 is worth less to you than a few hours (which I totally understand) then buying makes more sense. The other option is to pay someone to assemble a LOVE box for you. I am sure someone would take you up. I would build you one for $160 shipped. You can probably do better on price, but I am busy too.

 

[TomSD]

The way I built my Love controller box is literally one trip to Home Depot, spending less than 40 bucks, and an hour tops putting it together. If you are REALLY uncertain about the wiring diagram and want help one of us could get you through it pretty quick.

It is about the most basic electrical thing you can put together and is truly a simple thing to use once done.

 

[dmbnpj]

The Ranco dual temp controller prewired is $114.95 with free shipping