Steveruch
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about getting a small freezer to use as a temperature controlled fermenter, but I only plan to use it to ferment cool. Any suggestions for a controller?
Outside temp controller
- Thread starter Steveruch
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Though I don't have one, I like the feature set and ease of implementation of the Inkbird itc-308-wifi controller...
https://inkbird.com/products/temper...8-wifi?_pos=1&_psq=Wifi+controll&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Cheers!
https://inkbird.com/products/temper...8-wifi?_pos=1&_psq=Wifi+controll&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Cheers!
They work well
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I have the older, non-wifi 308. Still works great!
As much as I resist the insane "smart house" craze, I have found the wifi Inkbirds to be very helpful. And if you have a smartphone, you can keep tabs on them with a pretty simple and useful app.
I would recommend the ITC-1000 or STC-1000 or similar. It is hard to beat the price and is a dual stage controller, so you can add heating if you need to in the future. Best is to reprogram the STC-1000 to become a STC-1000+ (also see https://github.com/matsstaff/stc1000p). It then holds 6 profiles with up to 10 setpoints each and it can do ramping between setpoints.
jerrylotto
Well-Known Member
The only downside of the 308 series is that the temp probe is fixed to unit. I cut mine off near the probe and put on a quick disconnect inline so I could switch it out to control the temp by thermowell mounted 10k NTC probes.
hotbeer
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I've had two Digiten temperature controllers that I've been using for other things than as well as for beer. And only for turning on lower amperage heat sources. They've both been in use for over two maybe over 3 years with no issues.
Although pretty much the same thing as a Inkbird, I prefer the third readout line so I can see my actual temp and my high and low setpoints at the same glance.
Be sure to check the load requirements (amperage or watts) for the fridge you intend to use and get a device that is rated to handle that much load.
https://www.digiten.shop/collections/thermostat
Sometimes you can find a better deal on Amazon, but usually the prices on their site are inline with what they are selling for. Perhaps you might find a deal on a returned/refurbished item.
Although pretty much the same thing as a Inkbird, I prefer the third readout line so I can see my actual temp and my high and low setpoints at the same glance.
Be sure to check the load requirements (amperage or watts) for the fridge you intend to use and get a device that is rated to handle that much load.
https://www.digiten.shop/collections/thermostat
Sometimes you can find a better deal on Amazon, but usually the prices on their site are inline with what they are selling for. Perhaps you might find a deal on a returned/refurbished item.
The ITC-308 series is also dual stage, and it's hard to beat just plugging it in instead of having to wire it.
The probe on this one is removable.
I have one. It works well and I like the wifi connectivity. I like that it lets me monitor from afar when I am away from home. Much better than my old Johnson controls analog one.
That said I have been looking at the Kegland Rapt controller. I have a Rapt Pill and am intrigued by the ability to monitor and control based on the Pill data. Finally the engineer in me likes DIY ESP32 based ones some of the folks here have developed.
