stc-1000 sensor install? how? where?

[aboantopick]

I am going to wire my stc-1000 next week. I understand all of the wiring but I see very little on how to install the sensor. Do I drill a hole in the freezer wall?
BTW I have a GE 14 cf frost-less freezer I plan on converting to a fermentation chamber/beer storage area.

 

[LakeErieMonster]

The wire of the probe is thin enough to shut in the freezer and still maintain a good seal. There are plenty of good posts about attaching the probe to the actual fermentation vessels via thermowell or to the outside.

Remember, the ambient temperature inside the freezer is NOT the temperature of the beer during active fermentation.

 

[aboantopick]

The wire of the probe is thin enough to shut in the freezer and still maintain a good seal. There are plenty of good posts about attaching the probe to the actual fermentation vessels via thermowell or to the outside.
So what you say is KISS. I was planning on running the sensor wire thru the door as a test but maybe it is a permanent solution also.

Remember, the ambient temperature inside the freezer is NOT the temperature of the beer during active fermentation.

Yes I picked up that part from other posts. I will tape the sensor to the fermentation vessel. I have gauge strips on my fermentation vessels anyway too , that will help to see whats going on.

 

[Smellyglove]

From what I've read about other peoples experiences there's not much of a difference between a thermoell and taping the probe on the side of the fermentor, insulated from ambient temperature

If you're going all in, then maybe a t-well is more accurate, but from what information I've collected when it comes to 5-10 gallon batches, a properly insulated probe on the side of the vessel is enough.

 

[wilconrad]

I've done both: I started with a thermowell in the center of the carboy and couldn't keep the system from "ping-ponging" between heat & cool due to the time it took for temp changes to equalize to the center of the wort. I moved the sensor to the outside of the carboy (taped to the outside and insulated with a piece of styrofoam) and now have no trouble maintaining temps in the +/- 0.3F range. I recommend taping to the outside, skip the thermowell.

 

[MindenMan]

I have decided that taping to the outside of your vessel around half way up, gives great results. In my experience, I have figured out a "trick" to stop excessive temp sway in the beginning; If you are cooling your wort, set the temperature 5 or so degrees warmer than you want, and leave the heat turned off. The sensor will initially call for heat, but remember, you have 2 or so gallons that are still warmer than the bottom wort, I am sure you have got the idea... Same thing, just opposite for the heat setting. Set the heat 5 degrees lower than you want, and turn off the cooling. In my experience, somewhere between 12 and 18 hours, you can make the final temperature , without two days of ping pong temperature swings.