Johnson Digital Control Unit

[goudaphunk]

Hi All,

I am looking to purchase this digital control unit. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00368D6JA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I want to ensure I can maintain propose temps for my kegerator when fermenting. Does anyone have any experience using this device for fermenting. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[goudaphunk]

Meant proper, instead of purpose.

 

[Rockn_M]

I've used something similar and it works good when it's hot outside. But I don't think you can do a heat and cool at the sametime. You'll need something like thishttp://www.amazon.com/Elitech-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat/dp/B008KVCPH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390501839&sr=8-1&keywords=stc-1000

Edit:
Hot or Cold outside. You won't be able to have it hooked up to the fridge compressor and a heat source at the sametime. With the STC-1000 you can have it hooked up to the fridge and a heat source and it will cool and heat when needed.

 

[30Bones]

There's a couple in the for sale section for $60, and yes they will work fine

 

[goudaphunk]

@rock_n
Isn't there a setting in the Johnson digital device that can toggle between hot and cold?

 

[petrolSpice]

The posted device can only only control one outlet. So, you can use it to control a heater or a cooler. This is sufficient if your ambient temp is always higher or always cooler than your desired ferm temp. For example, if the ambient temp is always ~55F and you want to ferment at 70F, use the controller to control a heater (may not be as black and white as this since fermentation itself creates heat).

Dual stage controllers, like the STC-1000, can control both heating and cooling at the same time, so no matter what the ambient temp is, the wort will maintain a constant temp (within an allowable range). I bought the STC-1000 unit from Amaxon, and after getting a box, wire, outlet, etc, it came out to around $45-$50.

I think Johnson also makes a device that does both heating and cooling, but I think it's $100+.

 

[doublebogey10]

Instead of starting a new thread, I'll piggyback off this one.
I bought this control for my keezer about six months ago. No problems at all with it.
A friend told me that this control needs to be plugged directly into an outlet and to not plug it in to a power strip or an extension cord. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff. Does anyone know if there is truth to this?
Long story short, I only have power on one side of my garage and my life would have considerable less headache if I could keep the keezer on the other side.

Thanks

 

[day_trippr]

Assuming a properly sized extension cord or power strip, there should be no problems. An undersized wire gauge could easily cause issues, including frying the compressor and/or controller (relay failure)...

Cheers!

 

[Aa760]

Been using a power strip for mine for 2 years. Good gauge, strong strip, no problems so far. YMMV, so the saying goes.

 

[doublebogey10]

Works for me! Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[brettg20]

I have had 5 of them for over 4 years....no issues at all.