using my fridge as a fermenter p/t?

[Bubbles2]

Thanks for looking in. I was thinking that I could use this unit to over ride my fridge controller to use as a fermentor chamber when I need it? I do not want to punch a hole in the GF newer 1yr old extra fridge....LOL
So I was thinking I could just put the probe in the fridge area since I think that is where the Therm is? (see pic with yellow square) I was going to do this via letting the thin cable be in between the gasket and the fridge body?
Turn the fridge on Low use this temp control unit given to me when I bought a used Kegerator on Clist to just cut power to the fridge when it gets too high and kick back on when too low.
Thoughts?

 

[day_trippr]

How large is the fridge in question?
That PID unit is really intended to control either an external SSR or an external relay, to do actual work.
The internal relay is only rated to 3A...

Cheers!

 

[brewbama]

Using a PID to control the on/off function of a fridge is overkill. The task can be done with a simple plug and play controller. https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=64_65&products_id=334

However, I guest in the spirit of do what you can, with what you have, where you are: How about wiring a SSR and standard wall socket plug to the output of your PID controller and simply plugging your refrigerator into that. Use your temp probe to monitor perceived value inside the fridge. Once the perceived value exceeds set value (plus any timers or hysteresis parameters are met) the PID will power the socket and turn on the fridge. Once the error is reduced within tolerance the power to the socket will switch off and the fridge will turn off.

I recommend a five minute delay after power off before power on. A compressor will be stressed if started under pressure and a five minute delay allows pressure reduction.

 

[Bubbles2]

Using a PID to control the on/off function of a fridge is overkill. The task can be done with a simple plug and play controller. https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=64_65&products_id=334

However, I guest in the spirit of do what you can, with what you have, where you are: How about wiring a standard wall socket plug to the output of your PID controller and simply plugging your refrigerator into that. Use your temp probe to monitor perceived value inside the fridge. Once the perceived value exceeds set value (plus any timers or hysteresis parameters are met) the PID will power the socket and turn on the fridge. Once the error is reduced within tolerance the power to the socket will switch off and the fridge will turn off.

So I think you answered Yes...LOL! You ought to watch Justified / Amazon and note how the antagonist Boyd Crowder answers....LOL.
http://www.lassp.cornell.edu/sethna/hysteresis/WhatIsHysteresis.html

The Unit is indeed in a plastic box with a conventional 120v socket to plug in fridge and the unit itself will plug into a wall socket 120v. The socket is in the rear of that gray box.
I was going to use it because I thought I have it, and do not know what all are using.. Hence me using it, and the extra fridge when fermenting without having to drill a hole for the probe.

Put the probe in the fridge right?

 

[Bubbles2]

How large is the fridge in question?
That PID unit is really intended to control either an external SSR or an external relay, to do actual work.
The internal relay is only rated to 3A...

Cheers!

Correction 15 NOT 17 CF'
I think the guy was using a stand alone electric Burner to brew and used that for temp/mash. I would think the standalone burner is 15A No?

 

[brewbama]

Right. Note the last para added above.

 

[Bubbles2]

Right. Note the last para added above.

So let it drop a few degrees from high to low setting. Eg., 68º On 65º Off

This should be fine or should I waste some money on something else?

 

[brewbama]

You can get a temp controlled on/off switch pretty cheap. What you have there is a much more sophisticated device for precision control. You can run a RIMS or HERMS with that vs turning on and off a fridge.

Edit: As long as 68*F to 65*F is more than five minutes.

 

[Bubbles2]

You can get a temp controlled on/off switch pretty cheap. What you have there is a much more sophisticated device for precision control. You can run a RIMS or HERMS with that vs turning on and off a fridge.

Edit: As long as 68*F to 65*F is more than five minutes.

One would think that it would take longer then 5 minutes to warm up 3º or set it to 5º to be safe. It is not much hotter then 82º in that spare utility / butler's room, since it is the last wall to the outside facing West.
I guess I will go shopping for an on off deal. Any suggestions?

 

[bracconiere]

i can say i use an old, what used to be cheap, analog controller...and putting the probe in between the gasket works fine for me.....(maybe duct tape it to the fermenter? but you're not going to lose much cold air)

 

[day_trippr]

Here's the manual for that PID unit. http://media3.evtv.me/JLD612Manual.pdf
If someone was running an electric element on it I expect he used an SSR between the controller and the element because per the manual the PID can't drive anywhere near 15A...

Cheers!

 

[brewbama]

Here's the manual for that PID unit. http://media3.evtv.me/JLD612Manual.pdf
If someone was running an electric element on it I expect he used an SSR between the controller and the element because per the manual the PID can't drive anywhere near 15A...

Cheers!

+1. Is there a solid state relay inside that grey box?

 

[Bubbles2]

+1. Is there a solid state relay inside that grey box?

I will open and check...

If not how about this one?
https://www.amazon.com/KKmoon-AC110...e-Controller/dp/B01M0M98G0?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_9

 

[Bubbles2]

YES SSR 25DA
Looks a lot like this https://www.dubai-sensor.com/solid-state-relay-jssr-da25-h/

 

[Bubbles2]

Brewbama is that a restaurant in Al? Al is across the bridge from me

 

[DIYer]

Thanks for looking in. I was thinking that I could use this unit to over ride my fridge controller to use as a fermentor chamber when I need it? I do not want to punch a hole in the GF newer 1yr old extra fridge....LOL
So I was thinking I could just put the probe in the fridge area since I think that is where the Therm is? (see pic with yellow square) I was going to do this via letting the thin cable be in between the gasket and the fridge body?
Turn the fridge on Low use this temp control unit given to me when I bought a used Kegerator on Clist to just cut power to the fridge when it gets too high and kick back on when too low.
Thoughts?

Your picture shows food in that fridge--I hope you aren't planning to keep it in there while fermenting, as the temp would be too high for safe food storage. Just putting that out there, since I didn't see anything about clearing it out when you are fermenting...

 

[Bubbles2]

Your picture shows food in that fridge--I hope you aren't planning to keep it in there while fermenting, as the temp would be too high for safe food storage. Just putting that out there, since I didn't see anything about clearing it out when you are fermenting...

Yeah and the shelves. Chocolate treats should be OK since I have to bring em up to enjoy em anyhow. The Red Wine should be fine too. Thanks for the warning in case I am too stupid to know about food handling. LOL

 

[brewbama]

I believe your current setup is for 240v 25 amp. Was the former user controlling a 240v device?

 

[DIYer]

Yeah and the shelves. Chocolate treats should be OK since I have to bring em up to enjoy em anyhow. The Red Wine should be fine too. Thanks for the warning in case I am too stupid to know about food handling. LOL

You must not have read some the idiotic posts I have--you would be surprised what some people think is just fine! Haha

 

[brewbama]

Brewbama is that a restaurant in Al? Al is across the bridge from me

Northern AL here. Not sure about a restaurant down your way.

 

[Bubbles2]

I believe your current setup is for 240v 25 amp. Was the former user controlling a 240v device?

No, AMF I plugged it a 120v and it fired up, I was not aware that an SSR could ramp up 120 to 240v ?
I can re open and get the exact info off of it...

 

[Bubbles2]

Northern AL here. Not sure about a restaurant down your way.

I G'd it and the only thing came up was in Idaho I believe. Nothing down here that I saw

 

[brewbama]

No, AMF I plugged it a 120v and it fired up, I was not aware that an SSR could ramp up 120 to 240v ?
I can re open and get the exact info off of it...

It can’t ramp up voltage. That’s why I confused.

 

[Bubbles2]

It looks and is this manu, the only diff from what I got and this link is that on mine written after the SSR-25 DA it has this 25A/250V

The unit has 120v plugs in and out....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZ5DFQ...&pd_rd_r=0d5388e8-9f7c-11e9-bbca-895ca23f9807

 

[brewbama]

It’s 25amp SSR