Tempmate Wiring

[dennis mathews]

I have bought a Tempmate controller and an old fridge. Does anyone know how to wire the fridge into the Tempmate controller. The tempmate connections are clearly labelled but what and where to chop wires on the fridge are not. I assume the main power supply for the fridge and the heater pad comes via the Tempmate to the terminals marked "cool" and "heat" and the "earth" wire for all 3 power feeds goes to "gnd" terminal on Tempmate.
Also where in the fridge is the best position for the temperature probe. Fixed to the fridge or taped to the side of fermenter barrel.
Any feedback will be gratefully received, as I dont want to electrocute myself or fry my Tempmate. Thanks

[Doublehoppy]

In terms of the probe, I recommend you tape it to the side of the fermenter not the fridge. If you think about the heating device, you want this to switch off when the temp hits the target. If the probe is taped to the fridge innerwall then the actual beer temp could be well over target before enough heat finds its way to the probe.

Although having said that it probably also depends on your heater. I use a heating pad to directly heat the fermenter. If you were using a lightbulb to raise the overall cavity temp then maybe it doesn't matter as much.

[Martin Bridges]

Was there not a wiring diagram with your Tempmate? I followed this and it was fairly straightforward. Then again, I have an electrical engineering background. Still, the diagram should make it fairly straightforward.

I agree with Doublehoppy on the placement of the probe. I use some strong tape to tape mine to the side of the fermenter.

[dennis mathews]

Thanks for the link Crabby, from that I managed to figure it out. And thanks to you others for telling me where to stick my probe and not one of you seized the opportunity to say .............