refrigeration control

[paulcgi]

not sure if this is a general or yeast/fermentation post, but here goes:

any recommendations on a temp controller for a freezer? I found a 16 ft3 freezer for $50, but I'll need to add a temp controller to it. NB has the johnson controls for $52 or the ranco digital for I think $99. Is the digital worth the extra $$? it will switch to heating which would be really beneficial for me in the winter as I can ferment in my barn instead of in the basement (also would mean I dont have to carry 6 gallon carboys around)

suggestions? tips? things to look for or avoid?

edit: actually wondering now if I should just build my own. I have numerous SSRs and omron & omega PID controllers.. a ranco at morebeer is $64 wire it your self.. or I could build something with parts that I have.. hmmmmm decisions decisions...

[danno]

I know very little about PID's, but if you can make sure the cycle time isn't short, save yourself the money and build your own... (or, buy the wire-it-yourself one, it's extremely easy, especially for someone who owns PIDS's...)

[HogieWan]

the johnson models do the job, and will switch a heater on and off also, but don't buy a controller twice. If you like the Ranco, get the Ranco

[Yeastmeister]

Build your own. I've modded this guys design a little, but it sounds like you may be capable of doing so yourself.

http://suburb.semo.net/jthornton/Controller.htm

Built mine for under $35. I also own a Johnson Controls analog, and the Ranco Digital, I like the built one better.

[paulcgi]

cool. thanks for the link. I did find the build-it-yourself ranco for like $62.. but I really oughta just build one. I have the parts.. and I have a boat-load of SSRs from an ebay purchase. I'll just have to check that they'll handle the load. they might be only 10A

[MikShau]

I use something very similar, only I found a "heat only" thermostat at Lowe's (~$7) and a 10A mechanical relay from Radio Shack. 10A will run an appliance up to 1000 watts. Chest freezers pull 400-600. Just don't use it with the toaster oven. Your 10A SSR's should work just fine.

Only problem with mine is the relay is energized during the off cycle, so when it fails, I'll be making ice beer.

[SirVeza]

Hi,

A member from my homebrew club gave me this link:

Chest Fridge (http://mtbest.net/chest_fridge.html)

This guy has a really efficient system. I think 0.1kwh a day or something. His premade control is fairly expensive, but he does give the schematics and partslist if you want to hack around. The power you would be saving would justify the cost of the thermostat.

Oh how I wish I had the space for a chest freezer turned brewing fridge.

Oh just a note. If using an opto/triac SSR, you may want to put an RC load in parallel with the load. This is because the fridge load is an inductive load (motor) and it can send the triac into oscillation. This may also cause frozen beer.

:)

Dan Carol
Homebrewing in the Philippines (http://homebrewinghobby.blogspot.com)

[paulcgi]

thanks. I'm still going to roll my own, but am going to use a furnace type thermostat in the interim. The thing was only $20 and all of the rest of the parts are what I will need for the home-built version.
The principle is about the same as the link you posted, but that dude's going a little far (imho) in that he doesn't want ANY power consumption at all. a little trickle of current here or there doesn't bother me.

I have most of the wiring done, the SSR setup to control one outlet of a dual recepticle. I only have another run of wire to pull. my barn is new and I dont have the wiring finished yet. But I did hook up the thermistor and thermostat. first thing in the morning it was at 58F (overnight lows were 40) and late afternoon it hit 62 with sun shining directly on it (high temp about 72)
I just missed getting things setup right for the hefeweizen I've got going. but temp in the house right now is just about perfect anyway

[SirVeza]

Cool, sounds like you are all set.

I think the 0.1kwh guy is on solar with batteries. He's eaking out every last picowatt.

LOL

Dan

[paulcgi]

zactly. he was talking about his inverters & so on. were I on solar, I'd be the same, but here in MI I dont think we get enough sun to make it worth while.

I'm just hoping & praying to the fermentation gods that my new conical will fit in the freezer. Also hoping & praying to the mail gods that the conical is delivered soon. I think that some of the off-flavors I'm getting are from fermentation temps. not that they are off flavors per se, but out of character

[Chubber]

Originally posted by paulcgi
zactly. he was talking about his inverters & so on. were I on solar, I'd be the same, but here in MI I dont think we get enough sun to make it worth while.


I keep mine on the porch here in Florida and using a chest fridge over a regular fridge has more than paid for it's self over the course of the long hot summers. They are just much better insulated.

But if you are using it for fermentation, you better get some carboy straps or you will never get that full carboy out.

[Yeastmeister]

I use corneys myself. Much safer to handle, never need to worry about carboy bombs (even if they do get clogged, I believe they are rated at 200psi, and the pressure relief valve in mine is set at 125), I believe the stainless transfers heat much better than glass, and best of all, I can fit more of them in my fermentation fridge.

[Chubber]

Originally posted by Yeastmeister
I use corneys myself.

Great point. I just wish I could find them cheaper...