Lager Equipment

[bernerbrau]

I just got confirmation that a friend will be letting me store a chest freezer or refrigerator in his garage until I can get a house of my own.

So one of these days, I'll be off to buy equipment for lagering. I understand I need at least a chest freezer and a temp controller. I'll probably hit up Craigslist or even just Sears for the freezer. What's a good brand of temp controller that doesn't require manual input to gradually lower the temperature over a period of days?

Is there anything else I need to consider for lagering gear?

 

[schoolmaster]

I'd seriously consider how good of a friend you have; he may drink it all.

I'm not aware of a commercially available temp controller that is going to change its set-point over a period of days automatically, out of the box. That is something that is going to need much more "intelligence" than a straight up temperature controller. You need something you can program. An option may be an Allen Bradley Pico controller. LINK There is even free software you can download to program them.

Another option would be a Teco controller LINK

Both of these are going to require you to design and build something with temperature inputs and timer inputs. If you have, or know someone with an electrical engineering degree, this should be pretty simple.

If your not electrically inclined then THIS is a good controller config that allows you to both cool and heat (with a heating element placed in the lager fridge). Print out a detailed schedule of what temps should be set at what times and tell your friend that he needs to adjust the temp. controller manually or you won't give him any of your beer.

Cheers!

 

[bernerbrau]

If you have, or know someone with an electrical engineering degree, this should be pretty simple.

I minored in it, so it should be at least be halfway simple

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Boom...

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=4&zenid=97dedfe66e179db4a95896ae5db7708f

What you want is a ramp and soak feature.

 

[bernerbrau]

Looks pretty good, BK! How difficult is the setup for someone like me who likes gadgets in general but may not have played with this particular one?

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

PIDs in general are pretty easy. Auber's support staff are incredible. They will literally walk you through the whole process. If you aren't exactly sure what you need, just call them and do the order over the phone. They are very nice and helpful.

 

[bernerbrau]

Does that come with the appropriate sensors for the freezer?

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I would purchase this stuff:

PID: http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=4&zenid=97dedfe66e179db4a95896ae5db7708f
Thermocouple: http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=6&zenid=97dedfe66e179db4a95896ae5db7708f
Box: http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...id=143&zenid=97dedfe66e179db4a95896ae5db7708f
SSR: http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=9&zenid=97dedfe66e179db4a95896ae5db7708f
Heatsink: http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m..._id=45&zenid=97dedfe66e179db4a95896ae5db7708f

and two outlets and 12AWG wire from Home Depot.

Or you could just install a LOVE controller and ramp it manually I am a huge fan of the TSS2 for cooling and heating. Check out my sig for how I used it in a fermentation chamber.

I hope this helps.

 

[bernerbrau]

Does the SSR just gate the 120VAC, or do I have to do something else to make it safe?

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Yep, the SSR is basically a light switch that the PID turns on and off for you.

If you assemble the parts I listed above, you would just turn the freezer/fridge/whatever to its coldest setting then plug it into the box. The probe from your box goes into the fermenting wort via thermowell (ala Derrin if I may suggest) and the PID controls the temp by turning the compressor ON/Off.

The bonus of systems like that is they can be used for anything. For example, if you want to add a RIMS tube to your rig, you can use this box to control it. Just unplug your fridge for a couple hours and then plug it back in.

Like I said, that option is more expensive than a LOVE controller, but will provide you significantly more controlling power.

 

[bernerbrau]

Like I said, that option is more expensive than a LOVE controller, but will provide you significantly more controlling power.

And this being at a friend's house, I'm going to want to have the ability to program it ahead of time so I don't have to keep coming over and making changes.