home-made temp controller

[beer82]

I'm wanting to try fermenting a lager in my currently empty chest freezer. Are the commercially available controllers worth the $80-$100? Being an electrician, I'm thinking I can make my own controller with a thermostat and a RIB relay for 10% of the cost of one of these. Has anyone ever tried this? What are the potential issues? The only thing that comes to mind is maybe odd cycling of the compressor leading to premature failure.

 

[osagedr]

Check through the DIY forum.

 

[ControlTech]

It depends on what thermostat you are refering to. If I were makimg my own, I would do it with the Johnson brand temp controller and wire it in. It will put you over your ten% cost estimate, but it is made for refrigeration control.

Just my opinion, take it or leave it.

Good luck!

 

[psubrewer]

The only thing that comes to mind is maybe odd cycling of the compressor leading to premature failure.

this issue you would also have with a commercial controller, no?

 

[mikeysab]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/

That's the one I use and it works great.