Mini refrigerator fermentation

[Traz1986]

I have a mini fridge I'm looking to convert to a fermentor. I originally purchased a Johnson Controls A419 external thermostat. I see a lot of people here are using the Inkbird. ITC-1000 or the STC-1000. These look about the same as the Johnson Control unit at about 1/3 of the cost.

Any thoughts. I have both the A419 & ITC-1000 and am torn on which to install.

Thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[Kerrbrewer]

I've never used the JC unit but I do have the inkbird. If you have experience with wiring etc I think you would be really happy with the inkbird unit IF you wire it in to replace the fridges original thermostat.

 

[Traz1986]

The wiring won't be a problem, just curios what everyone was using. I would like to use the Inkbird because I could flush mount it would n the lower rear of the fridge.

What range does your fridge stay between when it's cycling?

 

[NoIguanaForZ]

I use two STC-1000s for my fridges; I wired the plug of each fridge into a cut-off extension cord end run through the pair of controllers, with one power input into the box, and left the one fridge on the lowest temperature setting and removed the other's thermostat and directly connected the lines to the relay contacts.

I've found mine will generally obey the instructions I give them about swing range and temperature to chill to; I've gone down to below 10 C.

 

[Kerrbrewer]

Mine is wired to replace the original thermostat and is mounted outside the icebox. My thermistor is in the thermowell of my carboy. Usually stays +/- 2 of setting. 50 or so for ferment 33 to 36 for cold conditioning

 

[day_trippr]

If the OP ever needs to run a small heater in his fermentation chamber, the dual stage ITC-1K is the obvious choice...

Cheers!

 

[RasMouSein]

Using 2 itc-1000f.
All hard wired and clean.

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[Traz1986]

Thanks all. Seems like the Itc-1000 is the winner