Replacement Thermistor Brewzilla 3.1.1

[Patti]

Dear all,

I am upgrading my Brewer and need some advice on an alternative to the thermistor installed in the Kegland Brewzilla Gen 3.1.1.
Does anyone know the specifications of the Thermistor? Or even better, does anyone have a temp sensor alternative that is plug and play?

I will be drilling a hole into the side of my Brewzilla and installing a thermowell, meaning the replacement thermistor/temp sensor does not need to fit the original Installation fixture at the bottom of the Brewzilla, it can be a standard 6mm pt-100 if that is a possibility…

Thank you for your support!
Pat

 

[ducati]

Full disclosure, I have Kegland products, but do not have a Brewzilla. Their Australian website does offer a replacement, but not stocked in the USA. Possibly your distributor can include one for you on their next shipment? If replacing "plug and play" means you are keeping the existing controller, then you are limited to a thermistor. You may know they are made in two variants, positive slope or negative slope calibration. The negative slope is more common. Not certain what Kegland uses, but likely the negative option. The only other consideration is to verify the connection so that it will plug correctly.

A 100Ω platinum RTD, or alternatively a thermocouple, will be a nice upgrade. However it will not be compatible with the existing controller. If you decide to replace that also, the RTD will typically be more accurate, precise, and last longer.

 

[Patti]

Hi ducati,
Thank you for your input!
I believe you are right in stating the Kegland Thermistor most likely is NTC.

However looking into the different types of thermistors available, I realised that just based on resistance I could find 6 variants ranging from 1.8 to 100kOhm.

This is when I started reaching out to thermistor manufactures asking for advice, but until now no luck.

They actually made the situation even more frustrating by stating they make most their thermistors as bespoke units for customers specific applications.

That’s why I am hoping someone here might have the specifications for the Kegland Thermistor, or a plug and play replacement, and by that I mean exactly what you stated, one that works with the existing circuit board and Brewzilla 3.1.1 software.

Finally, and I should have mentioned this earlier, I live in mainland Europe, so sourcing outside the EU is a nightmare for someone like me, and since I can’t find a single EU brew shop that has the Thermistor in stock, it seems even more pressing finding a replacement thermistor to ensure spares going forward…

 

[day_trippr]

I wager the 10K NTC is the most widely used thermistor for inexpensive sensors. All of the remote bbq thermometers I've had use 10K NTCs...

Cheers!

 

[ducati]

https://www.kegland.com.au/products/brewzilla-gen3-replacement-thermistor-temperature-probe

I think this is the probe you need. Buyers have a reasonable expectation for access to parts on equipment purchased. You might send Kegland an email at [email protected] and ask for the specifications so you can source separately, or explain the process to obtain one reasonably in your location.

 

[Patti]

SOLVED!
Dear all,
I did some testing and figured out the specs of the Thermistor.
I bought this one: https://www.sensorshop24.de/kabelfuehler-durchmesser-6mm
You can spec it as you wish, the important thing is that it must be NTC100kOhm!
Ran a test batch the other day on my Brewzilla 3.1.1 with the new sensor, worked brilliantly!

 

[hungupdown]

SOLVED!
Dear all,
I did some testing and figured out the specs of the Thermistor.
I bought this one: https://www.sensorshop24.de/kabelfuehler-durchmesser-6mm
You can spec it as you wish, the important thing is that it must be NTC100kOhm!
Ran a test batch the other day on my Brewzilla 3.1.1 with the new sensor, worked brilliantly!

Well done!
I don't now, have a 3.1.1, but know others who do. So good to have that info.