I have always used a temp controller (I think mine is made by Johnson controllers). Anyway I have always just taped my sensor to the side of the carboy and it seems to read pretty accurate to the fermentation temps as long as I wrap it with a blanket to prevent it from readin the ambien air. I can't decide if I want to invest the money in a thermowell. I know people have made them for cheap but I don't have the tools or skill to do the soldering. What I just thought of last night was to cut a small square off some foam insulation that I had lying around and then cut a small indent where the sensor could sit but still be in contact with the fermentor. It seems to be a good fix for now. Any thoughts or ideas on what others have done?
Cheers
Post #2 made 15 years ago
My sensor sits in a bin with water in it that the fermenter sits in as well. This sits inside my freezer. I figure with that thermal mass, it should be hard to sway the temperatures too far in either direction.
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Post #3 made 15 years ago
I thought I read somewhere that the sensors on the Johnson controllers aren't waterproof. So when you need to rais the temp, do you have a fish tank water heater in the water or how do you heat the water?
Post #4 made 15 years ago
Mine isn't a Johnson, it's an STC controller and I built the rest. I have a fish tank heater in the water set on high and it is plugged into the hot side of the controller.
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Post #5 made 15 years ago
That sounds like a great setup! I wish my sensor was waterproof now. Ha. I will have to stick with what I have for now. Thanks forthe input!