Cheap Chinese Temp Controller Any Good?

[Canuckdownunder]

Hey Everybody!
So I've been looking for a cheap way to control a fermentation chamber (old fridge) and I came across this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Temperature-Controller-Beer-Fermentation-Wired-Fridge-Freezer-Thermostat-/301064626898

Am I crazy thinking this thing would work? It says it can handle 15 amps... Anybody have any experience with this sort of controller?

Cheers!
Canuck

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Should work. But sellers site says up to 2000w, which is only 8.3A. I would doubt its rated for 15A looking at the earth pin. But then again not many fridges draw that much power.

 

[Scooby Tha Newbie]

Yes I bought two. Works for heating as well

 

[Scooby Tha Newbie]

Yes works a treat.

 

[bradsbrew]

I have one of those and use it when I need it. Have not had an issue and seems to be pretty good keeping the right temp. Dont think mine says 15A though. Pretty sure i paid alot less too.

 

[Canuckdownunder]

Perfect!
Thanks for the heads up I just wanted to make sure this is alright before pulling the trigger. What with the heat being what it is it's about time I invest in a fridge.

Canuck

 

[Batz]

We are spoiled these days, you guys would not believe what I went through for temperature control 15 years back. It cost a fortune as well but they are all still going strong ^_^

 

[Scooby Tha Newbie]

Mine was cheaper as well. Look around for the same product butfrom the supplier.

 

[bradsbrew]

Bit more expensive but you can get a dual temp controller fully functional/wired in a jiffy box ready to go from a couple of the site sponsors for under 70 bucks. Which is close to what i payed for my fridge mate controller unit (unwired). Very spoiled Batz! and safer for those not confident.

 

[Nullnvoid]

Hi brads brew, I'll confess I only did a really brief search on here but have you got some links. More than happy to purchase something from someone on here.

 

[bradsbrew]

Hi brads brew, I'll confess I only did a really brief search on here but have you got some links. More than happy to purchase something from someone on here.

Hey Nullnvoid, wasn't really pushing sponsors products. I was just saying how cheap it is to get a wired digital unit these days compared to 5 years ago ( I am not as old as Batz ) . As i said i have one of the cheap chinese ones pretty sure it was only ten bucks but took three weeks to get here.

Some local ones which i would say are better are,

https://nationalhomebrew.com.au/beer/brewing-equipment-pots-and-hardware/other-temperature-controller-16amp

and

http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=4931

and
http://www.grainandgrape.com.au/products/category/GYXAYCQR%20heating-and-cooling/7THERMOSTAT+DIGITAL+DUAL

and

http://connorbreware.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=144

 

[Yob]

Hi brads brew, I'll confess I only did a really brief search on here but have you got some links. More than happy to purchase something from someone on here.

Keg king sell box units for somewhere closer to home.. No affiliation but have read they are decent units

 

[QldKev]

I paid $100 for my Dixell fridge controller back in 06 when Dreamboat did that buy on here. That's just the unit and not including the mounting etc. It was a very good price at the time. It's still running as good as new controlling my fermenting fridge.

 

[superstock]

I have 2 of these chinese ones. Were a lot cheaper when I bought them. (Aussie dollar?).
One of them runs my 40 year old fermenter fridge and holds temps with no worries.
Plug in, no wiring ,no worries.

 

[pk.sax]

Same, have used them for my keezer, fermenting fridge and brew belt. No problems ever. They've gotten so much cheaper than when they started selling.

 

[BungBrew]

I've been running this exact controller on my ferm fridge for 3 months now with no issues.

 

[RelaxedBrewer]

I have been running 2 of these on my fermentation fridge for about 1.5 years now. I use 1 for heating and 1 for cooling.
They seem to read about .5C different. I use the higher one for my max temp and the lower one for my min.

When I bought them from china and they were less than half that price, you might be able to find them cheaper.

 

[donttouchstevesbeer]

I have 2 one is spot on with its temp and the other is a few degrees out. Have been using them for 2 years

 

[Paulbroad]

Mine works a treat. Accurate to within a degree, so no complaints for the price.