Temperature Controllers

[Wortgames]

Hi Everyone, just an update on the temp controls.

I am firmly looking at 2-stage controllers, the weather in Melbourne gets cold enough to require heating at times and if I go away for a couple of days I'd like to know that my brew is being held at a constant temp. Some of you folks may never need to heat a brew.

That said, there are two promising options at this stage.

The first is an eBay supplier who may be able to supply 10 units of 2-stage digital controller for around US$50 each, plus probes etc. I am waiting on confirmation of specs but they look like a good device. They are twice the height of the little dixells etc and have either one or two lines of LED display (eg to display target and actual) - depending on what he can get his hands on. They will require installation in a box and wiring up.

The second option is a Ranco device from the US which is preassembled with a LCD display:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productde...1685906&ccitem=

It will run from 240V and can operate in Celsius, but I am waiting on relay specs. we would just need to add input and output mains leads.

There is a US company called Controls Depot http://www.controlsdepot.com that offers this model at US$86.27, and we may be able to negotiate a bulk deal depending on how many people are interested.

For those who are happy with single stage, Ranco make this one:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productde...1768432&ccitem=

which Controls Depot has listed at US$47.17 each.

There is some helpful blurb on the Ranco controllers here:

http://www.automatedaquariums.com/ranco.htm

Let me know your thoughts and a quick head count of how many folks are interested, and I'll see what I can get going.

 

[normell]

Hi Everyone, just an update on the temp controls.

I am firmly looking at 2-stage controllers, the weather in Melbourne gets cold enough to require heating at times and if I go away for a couple of days I'd like to know that my brew is being held at a constant temp. Some of you folks may never need to heat a brew.

That said, there are two promising options at this stage.

The first is an eBay supplier who may be able to supply 10 units of 2-stage digital controller for around US$50 each, plus probes etc. I am waiting on confirmation of specs but they look like a good device. They are twice the height of the little dixells etc and have either one or two lines of LED display (eg to display target and actual) - depending on what he can get his hands on. They will require installation in a box and wiring up.

The second option is a Ranco device from the US which is preassembled with a LCD display:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productde...1685906&ccitem=

It will run from 240V and can operate in Celsius, but I am waiting on relay specs. we would just need to add input and output mains leads.

There is a US company called Controls Depot http://www.controlsdepot.com that offers this model at US$86.27, and we may be able to negotiate a bulk deal depending on how many people are interested.

For those who are happy with single stage, Ranco make this one:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productde...1768432&ccitem=

which Controls Depot has listed at US$47.17 each.

There is some helpful blurb on the Ranco controllers here:

http://www.automatedaquariums.com/ranco.htm

Let me know your thoughts and a quick head count of how many folks are interested, and I'll see what I can get going.

[post="52404"][/post]​

So what's wrong with the Tobins TS-040S.
It both heats and cools.
I have mine set up with a 40 watt globe.
It is set to 8*C, for lagering, if temp gets above 10*C switches compressor on untill temp goes down to 6*C, then turns the lamp on.

Simple to do, and cheap.
Normell

 

[fergi]

normell that looks pretty cool ,where and how much,are they easy to fit
cheers
fergi

 

[Wortgames]

Normell - for me, I'd prefer a digital display and also a self-contained, portable unit that I can put on any fridge and set depending on my requirements.

It also sounds like your system is always powering something - either the light or the compressor. This seems like a quick way to burn out a fridge and increase your energy bills?!

But maybe you could quote your price and source, I'm sure there are others who would be interested.

 

[fergi]

sorry i found the link ,thanks normell
fergi

 

[normell]

It also sounds like your system is always powering something - either the light or the compressor. This seems like a quick way to burn out a fridge and increase your energy bills?!
No the time between compressor off/on (with light on, being only 40watt, and under terra cotta pot plant ) is betwwen 45Min and one hour, not much different to normal fridge cycle.
In the first pic, see there is a switch on the side, that can be used to turn the light off completly, but why bother.
Cost was about $45 for the thermostat, delivered, and about $18 for the rest of stuff needed.

http://www.tobins.com.au/
http://www.tobins.com.au/HTML/ItemHTML/TS-040S.htm
Normell

 

[Wortgames]

Just FYI, a proper 2-stage controller has 2 separate relays - one operates the heating circuit and one operates the cooling circuit. The controller only operates the circuits as necessary to maintain your target temp. You can usually set the width of the 'dead band', which is the permissible variation from target before the appropriate circuit is triggered. The narrower this is, the greater the effect of hysteresis, ie fast alternation between output states.

Most single-stage controllers (thermostats) CAN be configured to heat or cool simply by using the other output of the relay, but shouldn't be set up to do both simultaneously, as this will mean the thermostat is constantly alternating between heating and cooling. However, you could set it up for chilling in summer and heating in winter, for example.

Hope this helps?!

 

[Wortgames]

But the light is on whenever the fridge is not running?

 

[normell]

But the light is on whenever the fridge is not running?

[post="52417"][/post]​

Can't see how this is a problem, BUT if you turn the switch to the off position the light don't go

:blink:

Normell

 

[fergi]

i guess what you are saying normell that you only have the light on when you want ale temps and when you want lager temps you turn the switch off
fergi

 

[normell]

Yeah Fergi
Something like that

Normell

 

[redbeard]

i have a Tobins TS-040S on the ferment fridge. cooling only. i figure the wort will be generating some heat, hence dont need a lamp. i have a seperate (cheap) digital thermometer, but even with this im expecting a few degrees error from wort / air temp / tobins calibration / thermo display.

i think my next ferment fridge will have a nice computer controlled setup, ala Greg's temp-controlled fridge

back to original bulk buy topic, if someone finds a reasonable wide range controller, suitable for hlt & fridge, with digital readout, id be in for one.

 

[keng11]

I too could be interseted at the right price, I have been looking too & came across this site http://www.eurotherm.com.au/control/main.htm

 

[Ross]

I have a friend in the heating control industry that put 2 control boxes together for me. The units have 3 temperature probes that can be independently viewed via the digital screen. Each of these powers via relays, heating & cooling power sockets. The dead band can be set from 0 to whatever in 0.1 increments. I have fitted a S/S tube (sealed at one end) through the lids of my fermenters & cubes which the probes slide down into. I have set to 0.5c +/- & since the probe is contolled by the actual brew, this prevents the fridge or freezer from cycling too fast & maintains an extremely accurate brew temp. In winter the Heating socket will power my heatbelt at the same time.



The second contoller is being set up on my mashing tower to monitor/control the brew day. I will post pics once it's up & running.

 

[4077M*A*S*H]

Nice work Rob, Im using a Grow warm external thermostat that the fridge is pluged into, then I run the probe into fridge (drilled a hole). I have a brewers thermometer to see the temperature and a heat belt to raise it.
Very technical stuff here, but its usually pretty warm in Brisvegas


Forever Yours,

 

[BrotherNutz]

I thought maybe you guys might like to check out another way of doing this.

http://zymo.homemail.com.au/picaxe.htm

I will continue to update the page as I think of things or you guys make suggestions for page content.

Cheers

Pete

 

[Wortgames]

Nice ferm cabinet! Did you build it from scratch or convert something?

 

[BrotherNutz]

It was a kitchen cupboard once....I then lagged it with styrofoam and built all the refrigeration, control and heating gear around it.

Works like a dream. Great to have a lager in one side at 10C and a wheat in the other side at 22C.

 

[Dunkel_Boy]

View attachment 2186

If you have a box with a thermostat.. do you really need a thermometer ?

anyways.. here's a jaycar thermostat for $40...

[post="52106"][/post]​

I got one of these, but took it back. I don't think it was appropriate because of the range and I didn't want electrical equipment, hooked up to 240V, around the moisture of a fridge. I've forgotten the name of the company... refrigeration specialists. They had a second hand one, but my brother stole it. Was about $70, digital, program hysterisis, delay, etc.

I'm now looking at one from www.esbeer.com.au the GroWarm or something... $120 + shipping. Perhaps the buildable one is better.

 

[shmick]

DB,
You didn't happen to pop the Jaycar unit open to see what sort of sensor it was using?
If it is the type of sensor I think it is, I was going to rip it off the pcb and attach it to some extension wires - can keep the unit outside the freezer then.
I wouldn't be happy with mains volts inside a damp box either.