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Post #2 made 15 years ago
by wizard78
G'day texasranger, welcome to the forum I brought this temp control link.
It's has heating and cooling control simultanious which I think is handy.
The downfall is it needs to be wired by an electrician.
Cheers wiz ;)
p.s if you submit a post on this thread (link) you will be changed from a newly registered member to a fully registered member.
Edit: Nevermind you have been changed to fully registered ;)
Last edited by wizard78 on 12 Apr 2010, 20:44, edited 10 times in total.
[center]"All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer."
[/center]
[center]Homer Simpson[/center]
[center]K.I.S.S., B.I.A.B.[/center]

Post #3 made 15 years ago
by Ralph
Hi TR & welcome,
yeah, I do have a programmable controller, but don't use it for profiled fermentation just yet. I scabbed a Campbell Scientific* CR10X and a heap of CS107 and PRT temperature sensors from the industrial bin at my work (state public service- we're the worst offenders for ridiculous waste and chucking good stuff- as the lucky recipient of the kit I am torn between yay and boo...). Now I use this sort of logger at work quite a bit, so I know how to wire and program them, but I can't recommend this for everyone as it is a challenge with relay interfacing and also mains control. It works brilliantly for me as a controller (up to 8 fridges if I want) plus I get some actual data with it (I'll get a sample download and chart soon, will post back here later, stay tuned) which is what you don't get with the basic thermostat controllers.

I had figured that profiling would be one thing I'd try with it, but just haven't been bothered yet, however I'd imagine changing the set- point a couple of times a day on a Tempmate*, Aquarium controller like wiz showed us above or similar would work fairly well too. That would be a fairly low- tech and unsophisticated alternative but one that would be very attractive to many brewers with a Tempmate. My own situation gets complex because I've usually got two or more different brews in the fridges at once, so profiling will mean a re- arrangement or less throughput.

There was a computer controlled and interfaced one on AHB a few months ago (link), a handful of USB sensors (I think) plus some main switching, all on a Linux box running a web server, a fairly cool setup but probably tearing the fork out of it! Like this.
Doc, one of the head honchos at AHB does some stuff too, I thought there used to more temperature stuff on his website but not any more by the looks.

Hope this helps, I'll put some data up later.

* No affiliation.
Last edited by Ralph on 13 Apr 2010, 04:45, edited 10 times in total.
[center]Give me a beer and I will move the world. Archimedes[/center]

Post #4 made 15 years ago
by Ralph
Data and chart to come for my previous post, I've downloaded the logger data but having re- programmed it, split a wort & yeast pitching, plus data formatting hassles and not overlooking the fact spousie went to the dentist today majorly- I'll get back to that data tomorrow maybe...
[center]Give me a beer and I will move the world. Archimedes[/center]

Post #5 made 15 years ago
by Ralph
Some sample data as promised, in chart form.
Two fridges with actual temp sample and hourly average. A few changes in set- point during this period, plus I turned the lager fridge off a couple of times, once for a diacetyl rest then off at the end. The swings in temp during the last D rest are bigger than I'd thought, I might just set the temp in low 20s for them in future, particularly over summer.
Threshold is 1.0 degC, so if setpoint is 18.0, it comes on at 18.5 and off at 17.5.
Oh damn, I think the actuals and averages should be swapped on the chart. Oops...
Any questions?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
[center]Give me a beer and I will move the world. Archimedes[/center]

Post #6 made 15 years ago
by texasranger
Hi Ralph,

First, thank you for the welcome to the site.

Thanks for the great review of the temperature control. Some very interesting material there.
The reason I asked the question was because I have developed my own Fermentation Controller.
It allows the me to set the heating and cooling temperature ranges independently, displays the elapsed time since temperature control started.

I am now looking at adding the ability to have it control the temperature based on an entered temp profile.

Regards,
TexasRanger

In wine there is wisdom.
In beer there is strength.
In water there is bacteria.
- German Proverb

Post #7 made 15 years ago
by Ralph
No worries TR, feel free to shoot us any queries about controllers/ interfacing/ sensors/ profiles etc, I'll gladly assist where I'm capable.
If I was organised, I would enter a profile in my controller as it is fairly simple to stage the setpoint, but one other thing apart from my own disorganisation is that sometimes fermentation is unpredictable and I'd need some feedback from the SG and fermenter behaviour for decisions on things like diacetyl rest timing etc. On the whole though, there's enough predictability to program in a startup phase where I might pitch slightly warm and then cool a degree or two, conversely with weizens, belgians etc to pitch cool and warm slightly.
[center]Give me a beer and I will move the world. Archimedes[/center]

Post #9 made 15 years ago
by hashie
Not wanting to sound like a smart arse, but the schematic on the unit looks very simple.

If in doubt,get a sparky to do it.
"It's beer Jim, but not as we know it."

Post #12 made 15 years ago
by EoinMag
I bought myself an ATC-800+ from a company in the UK called Forttex
http://www.forttex.com/index.php?main_p ... ucts_id=46

It's a nice piece of kit and the model I bought was plug and play.

You set up the temperature and then the variation, which can be as low as 1c +/- and then it has a heating and a cooling circuit, very easy setup.

I have that connected up to a free fridge I picked up and then took the doors off of and extended using 80mm thermoking insulation board, it's a primitive extension sealed with poolyurethane foam, but it works.
http://beernvictuals.blogspot.com/ My blog, If you like what you read post a comment on the blog comments section thanks, BIAB post coming soon.

Post #13 made 15 years ago
by hashie
That's a good looking unit EoinMag.

I notice that it has 2 power boards connected to it. Does this mean it can temp control more than one unit?
If so, doers it have more than one probe?

Cheers
"It's beer Jim, but not as we know it."

Post #14 made 15 years ago
by texasranger
Hi Hashie,

One is for the Fridge the fermenter is in, and the other one is to control the heater pad/ring to tightly control temperature, both outputs rated to 240VAC 8 Amps continuous, up to 60 A-pk for 10ms. This should ensure no matter what the outside conditions are, in the fridge, the temperature is stable for my brew.

It also has a 12VDC Fan output controlled supply.
- Fan runs constantly during heating and cooling to ensure even fridge temperature
- Fan runs 2 minutes On, 2 minutes off continuously when temperature is within desired range to keep temperature as even as possible.

Temperature is controlled by a user settable "setpoint" and then a "delta" or +/- temperature range.
- Setpoint temperature is accurate to 0.25 Degree
- Delta temperature minimum is +/-0.50 Degree.

The actual temperature can also be logged to a PC via a serial/usb port. This is also used to download new versions of code.

The software also ensure if there is a power outage, on power up it will restore the previous settings. In the future there will also be a buzzer to alert the brewer should something go wrong (Temperature Sensor failure, Unable to control temperature, Power failure), actual operational functionality still to work through.

Another version of code could support two temperature sensors and use the outputs to only control a Fridge, good idea, thanks for that.

Thanks for the questions/feedback.

Try: www.user.on.net/~s.walker
TexasRanger

In wine there is wisdom.
In beer there is strength.
In water there is bacteria.
- German Proverb

Post #15 made 15 years ago
by shibolet
EoinMag,
looks like a nice setup, however it seems to be just like that "Mini Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Aquarium" people have been buying on ebay (myself included) only that it's completely wired and ready to go.

hashie ,
It doesn't look like it can control more that one unit at different temps as it does only have one probe. i can see why the set it up will multiple sockets for cooling and heating.
BTW, my unit was successfully wired by a techie friend. it works great, only my fridge died last week. the controller still works. my friend thinks that the power on/off killed the fridge. I had a guy fix the fridge but i am hesitant at reconnecting it to the temp controller. it could be that being a very old fridge (25+ years) it's more vulnerable to breakage. i might get another fridge and use the controller on that one.
Cube:
fermenter: Sourdough Spelt Ale, Classic Lambic, Oud Brune, Barrel Aged Belgian Dubbel
Kegs: Bob's Black IPA, Blanc Blond, Soda...
to be brewed:

Post #16 made 15 years ago
by hashie
Sorry to hear about your fridge shibolet.

I'd have thought a temp controller would be easier on a fridge than normal running conditions. Surely keeping a fridge at 15C is easier on the fridge than keeping it at 3C?

Thanks for the info Texasranger, if/when I get my hands on a fermenting fridge, these will be the way to go.
"It's beer Jim, but not as we know it."

Post #17 made 15 years ago
by EoinMag
It can control only probe one unit at a time, so really the power strips are a bit redundant, I don't think the guy was thinking his design right through, or there are other things to be thought about in the aquarium world, as Shibolet rightly points out it's also an aquarium and terrarium unit.

I bypassed the thermostat in my fridge and just use this unit to control, once the unit is plugged in it is cooling.
http://beernvictuals.blogspot.com/ My blog, If you like what you read post a comment on the blog comments section thanks, BIAB post coming soon.

Post #18 made 15 years ago
by texasranger
Hi All,

My question would be, do most guys have more than one fridge running for which temperature control is required :?:
TexasRanger

In wine there is wisdom.
In beer there is strength.
In water there is bacteria.
- German Proverb

Post #19 made 15 years ago
by Ralph
Yep TR, I do indeed, two independent fridges running presently (as per the chart above), not with off- the- shelf components though- there's a datalogger, power supply, control interface (just relays and simple driver circuit), specific temp sensors etc. AFAIK, at the home scale it boils down to one controller per fridge, I'm afraid.
[center]Give me a beer and I will move the world. Archimedes[/center]

Post #22 made 15 years ago
by Two If By Sea
Any newish info on this topic? Many links are broken. I'm looking to control temps in my chest freezer. I'd like to do lagers. My freezer is in an unheated cellar in New England (USA). I usually handle summer fermenting with a swamp cooler and winter fermenting with an aquarium heater in a sump but I wouldn't be able to handle lager temps with either. A 2 stage digital controller would be my best bet I think (a bit more $ gives me even better control than I have now). I am handy and used to be an avionics repairman so with some good instructions, I'm sure I could wire one together to save some $....which is needed because money is a bit tight. Googling has me more confused with not very good pictures.

Is this a prewired 2-stage unit? (Looks like it is ready to go to me) http://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc21100 ... p-110.html
Blog: http://littlehouseonthesandpit.wordpress.com/
Facebook BIAB Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7 ... 978&ref=nf

Post #23 made 15 years ago
by wizard78
Hi 2xc,
Try this ebay search.
I have the "Mini Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Aquarium" It is cheap and has done a great job so far.
I hope this helps
Cheers wiz
Last edited by wizard78 on 17 Oct 2010, 07:04, edited 10 times in total.
[center]"All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer."
[/center]
[center]Homer Simpson[/center]
[center]K.I.S.S., B.I.A.B.[/center]

Post #25 made 15 years ago
by Two If By Sea
This looks to be the one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Digital-Temper ... 3f03f10244

If I am reading the schematic and picture correctly, it looks like there isn't a ton to do. Strip a plug and put the two wires into the input. The sensor comes with it. Get a dual outlet box and wire one outlet to each of the outputs. Freezer goes into one, heater goes into the other. Probably put the whole thing in a box of some sort to make it neat. How does something like this do? Wild temperature swings at all? Say if you wanted to hold at 62F, would you have the heat source and the freezer plugged in to keep it even or would the two end up fighting each other? Is each outlet controlled at the same time? So I could set the freezer to 62F with a delta of ~.5F and the heater at 61F with a delta of ~.5F so the freezer would kick on from 62.5F to bring to 62F and the heater would kick on if the temp got below 61.5F? (ish) Am I thinking of how to use this correctly?

TIA
Blog: http://littlehouseonthesandpit.wordpress.com/
Facebook BIAB Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7 ... 978&ref=nf
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