Temperature controllers for fermentation in fridges .... Feedback wanted

[Max Ballbagz]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to purchase one of the 'turn ya fridge into a fermentation cabinet' controllers that do both heat and cooling and want to know if anyone has invested and whether they are worth it? Whether the results are obvious etc? And feedback good or bad .....

Cheers fellas!

[cjmc]

Yep, 100% worth it. 

Two big things that temp controllers have got going for them are consistency and you make also make lagers..  :)

In hindsight, I would now look at getting one of those recommended by https://github.com/matsstaff/stc1000p so I can setup it up to do profile-based temp control.  

[Nathan]

YES YES AND YES........Our house now has 7 fridge/freezers and have a few watching on trademe hahahahaha

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

Its a must have!!!! easy to wire them up yourself, and keep spot on temp which as we all know super important the STC-1000 does have heating and cooling I have a heat pad in fridge and that works for keeping it at the right temp too.

[Dave]

This will make a huge difference to the beer you make. You can either pick up already wired up for about $100 on trademe, or if you can do it yourself, the stc is really cheap on ebay (make sure you get the right voltage)

[Max Ballbagz]

Great feedback guys, looks like a no brainer! I am weighing up pros and cons of the famed STC1000 vs the AC-211 as they both seem to offer the same functionality with small differences. Can pick up a compete ac211 for 75$ which seems pretty good bang for the buck.

[Ben Dean]

I have the AC-211, works great. My only criticism is the wire for the temperature sensor could do with being about twice the length.

[Max Ballbagz]

Hey Ben, cheers for the heads up, do you pace the temp sensor in the fermenter or just tape to the side of the fermenter? Also what is the length of the sensor wire? Cheers

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

sensor wires are either taped to outside of fermenter with a bit of insulation over the tip to get a more accurate reading, also there is the thermwell method of placing inside a tube that runs in tot he centre of fermenter run that thru a airlock grommet so no air gets to beer. Go for the STC you will not regret it and here is the instructions I followed and it was easier than you think bought leads from bunnings to cut up only $2.96 for one 3 metre lead you will need two.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=433985 

plus can be bought new on Trade Me for $25!!!!!!!

[Max Ballbagz]

Can you post a pic of your completed unit?

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

used an old kids lunch box!!

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

before I used box and terminal connectors, it's cool to bring it to life as it doesn't even come with any power supply cable to turn on you have to do that and the cool and warm leads if you just use that link to fit the wires it's easy as.

[Darren Andrews (Daza)]

check this one out!!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/farming-forestry...

then get yourself two 3 metre leads from bunnings total 6 bucks and unit 25 bucks all up only $31 and your labour, but very rewarding doing it.