9 replies to this topic

[ChefLamont]

As some of you know and I have mentioned, I am in the process of moving. As part of that I decided to sell my (huge) fermentation cabinet to a guy in my brew club and start over on a new fermentation temp control system. I am looking towards a glycol cooling system with pumps to pump the glycol to copper wrapped sanke kegs. However, all that is fodder for another thread.As part of that process I have begun looking at some temp controllers. I have used an A419 and I know everyone likes the Love controllers. I was looking around on ebay and found these:-40 to 120C controller for around 35 bucks shipped-50 to 99C controller for around 32 bucks shippedI was wondering if any of yall had seen/tried/heard anything about them. Only down side is that they only display in degrees C. I am not the biggest fan of metric, but since I will need at least 3 of these in my project, there could be a substantial savings over the more common ones like the Johnsons and Loves. I would probably get used to the metric.As an added interesting side note, the same seller has Digital Temp Data Loggers That could be some nerdy beer brewing fun right there.

[HVB]

I have been contemplating getting a couple of these for the fermentation chamber I just made. I first saw them here https://www.homebrew...r-build-163849/ Still trying to decide if I can deal with the temps in C. I also need 3, I have one love that is leftover from another project so I am debating these or 2 more loves.

[ChefLamont]

I have been contemplating getting a couple of these for the fermentation chamber I just made. I first saw them here https://www.homebrew...r-build-163849/ Still trying to decide if I can deal with the temps in C. I also need 3, I have one love that is leftover from another project so I am debating these or 2 more loves.

Wow. That was over 30 pages of brewing board reading goodness. That definitely increases my desire for these things.

[MtnBrewer]

One of my Johnsons suddenly started displaying in Celsius for no particular reason. I got used to it pretty quickly. My phone does the conversion when I need it to.

[gnef]

My only concern would be the 10 amp rating at 220V. I know the love controllers are rated for 16 amps at 220V. I don't know exactly how these work, and whether that would translate to 20 amps at 110V, but if it still limits you to 10 amps at 110V, then that could potentially be less than the start up current of the cooler you intend on using? Just a thought.

[HVB]

I came across these https://www.sciplus....commendid/15187 Only rated at 8 amps @ 125 but for 14.50 it is an option depending on what you are controlling.

[djinkc]

I came across these https://www.sciplus....commendid/15187 Only rated at 8 amps @ 125 but for 14.50 it is an option depending on what you are controlling.

If you can live with 5' lines for the bulb and analog that is a great deal. Looks like they have a semi-adjustable differential too. Of course I ordered two....... I have 4 controllers in constant use and another that's used on brew day. Nice to find some cheap backups to have around for the inevitable.

[Dale Hair]

The controllers the OP posted don't retain their setpoint when they loose power, they revert to 10C/50F

[ChefLamont]

That's good to know. We have pretty stable power here generally, but it might be worth the cost of a cheap used UPS to not have the temp changed by a short power blip. I guess you would want the controller working relays too so that the UPS is not running pumps/refrigeration and draining quickly. Hmmmm so many design considerations.

[Dale Hair]

The controller power, heating and cooling can all be from different power sources. I have one and plan to power the controller and my cable box from a UPS, the fermenter is on the opposite side of the wall from the TV, when my cable box loses power it can take an hour for the guide to come back.