Yet another A419 temperature issue--help!

TDirgins · Jan 3, 2015

Hello everyone, I took the plunge and got myself a GE chest freezer and set up last week with the A419 to control temps for fermentation.

My settings:
Setpoint: 68
Differential: 2
ASd: 12 minutes
Offset: 0

Added a 5 gallon bucket full of water to add some thermal mass, and bungee corded the probe near the bottom of the bucket with a gel freezer pack to insulate/hold it in place.

I read dozens of threads on this and I am still having an issue. The freezer cycles as it should. (i.e. when I warm up the probe in my hand, the freezer kicks on and starts chilling). The problem is that it is holding a rock-steady 61 degrees for over a week now, even when I reposition the probe. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

day_trippr · Jan 4, 2015

Do you have a known-accurate thermometer to check the A419's probe against?

Cheers!

TDirgins · Jan 4, 2015

I'll have to pick one up this week. If the unit is not accurate, is there a way to calibrate it?

YeastMode · Jan 4, 2015

I have found that I get the most accurate reading by allowing the probe to hang in the air without touching anything (unless you have a thermowell for the probe, which is a different kettle of fish). I usually just clamp the wire to the top of an empty beer bottle with a cheap plastic clamp from Home Depot. I have two A419s and both work great with this method.

Try adding another 5 gallons of water (for 10 total) and open the lid to let the area warm up, or add a heat source to warm it above cooling temp. Then reposition the sensor as I have stated and see what happens. Throw in another thermometer just to have a reference to check the A419.

To your question, I am not sure, but I don't think so. I think the solution would be to buy another probe. But having said that, I doubt that is your issue from what you stated. I think your issue is the contact with the freezer pack giving you an issue.