temperature controller questions

[dlxsf86]

thinking of buying one of these for my refrigerator and was wondering if anyone out there uses any of these and how affective they really are? i have done some research and found some for about $50 and has a range of about 5 degrees. there is another for about $100 but the range in temperature is more accurate. any ideas which one to buy or is it even needed? thanks again for any feedback and help.

 

[wildwest450]

Highly recommended for keeping fermenting temps stable. I also use one for my kegerator(chest freezer) you can get a good digital (ranco) in the $45 to $55 range. I keep mine set at +-5f.

 

[carnevoodoo]

I have an analog controller that I got from craigslist for 30 dollars. It keeps all of my fermentation exactly where I want it. They work great.

 

[Hang Glider]

Honey Run Apiaries sells pre-wired Ranco Digitals for about $75 --gotta love google!

 

[aksea102]

I have an analog controller that I got from craigslist for 30 dollars. It keeps all of my fermentation exactly where I want it. They work great.

I have a Johnson Analog, also a purchase from craigslist, and it works exceptionally well.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I love my LOVE. Ts2 for single stage control, Tss2 for dual stage (heating and cooling).

 

[ajf]

The problem with the analog controllers ($50) is that they only control the ambient air temperature, and the temperature of the fermenting beer can be considerably higher than ambient. As the fermentation proceeds, it generates much less heat, so unless you adjust the controller, the temperature of the beer will cool down. They work well, but need some experimentation to determine what temperature to set the controller at to achieve the required fermentation temperature.
With a digital controller ($75) and a thermowell, the sensor can be placed in contact with the beer, and thus control the fermentation temperature directly. There is no guessing, and the temperature remains constant. With either one, you should make sure that the fridge/freezer does not cycle on/off too quickly, or you can burn out the compressor. With the Johnson Controls models, you can set a delay to prevent rapid cycling. With others, you need to set the temperature differential to about 4 - 5 degrees.
Either is much cheaper than keeping the air conditioning (or heating) on all the time, and is much better than a wet tee shirt.

-a.

 

[jhundt]

...and is much better than a wet tee shirt.

I think that might depend on where and on whom the wet T-shirt is deployed...

 

[MattHollingsworth]

The problem with the analog controllers ($50) is that they only control the ambient air temperature, and the temperature of the fermenting beer can be considerably higher than ambient. As the fermentation proceeds, it generates much less heat, so unless you adjust the controller, the temperature of the beer will cool down. They work well, but need some experimentation to determine what temperature to set the controller at to achieve the required fermentation temperature.
With a digital controller ($75) and a thermowell, the sensor can be placed in contact with the beer, and thus control the fermentation temperature directly. There is no guessing, and the temperature remains constant. With either one, you should make sure that the fridge/freezer does not cycle on/off too quickly, or you can burn out the compressor. With the Johnson Controls models, you can set a delay to prevent rapid cycling. With others, you need to set the temperature differential to about 4 - 5 degrees.
Either is much cheaper than keeping the air conditioning (or heating) on all the time, and is much better than a wet tee shirt.

-a.

I set my temperature differential to +/- 1 degree and have no problem. The freezer holds the temp of the chamber very well so it's not like it has to turn on and off constantly. If, say, your freezer has to hold 64 F for a 68 F ferment during the early stages of primary, the freezer will turn on and hit that temp, then hold it pretty well for a while. My freezer turns on, chills, then doesn't have to turn on again for hours. If you're opening it up a lot, then sure, it'll have to turn on. But mine turns on very infrequently.

Furthermore, I think it's a bad idea to set the differential to +/-5. Say you set your temp at 68 and the differential to +/-5. This means the fermenting beer will get to 73 before the freezer/fridge turns on. And if the probe is attached well and getting a good reading, this means that the freezer/fridge will stay on until the fermenting beer reaches 68. It will then turn off. And it won't come back on until the beer again reaches 73. Having the fermentation temp swing up and down like that is not a good idea, IMHO.

I also don't think a thermowell is necessary. If you secure the probe to the side of the carboy well and insulate it, it'll give you a good reading.

I'm using a Ranco, BTW, and very happy with it.

My two cents, anyway.

 

[shertz]

Another Ranco user that is happy. Yeah, once fermentation subsides you'll have to adjust the controller, but who doesn't check their beer during fermentation often?

 

[MattHollingsworth]

Another Ranco user that is happy. Yeah, once fermentation subsides you'll have to adjust the controller, but who doesn't check their beer during fermentation often?

I don't adjust mine. I set it to 68 and leave it and it holds that temp whether the beer is fermenting or not.

 

[dlxsf86]

these responses are great. thanks so much they are very helpful and have gave me an idea of how much i need to save up and do a little more research. thanks everyone