4 replies to this topic

[gnef]

I was looking for another digital temperature controller as I will be getting a new chest freezer soon, and found that the price for the 'standard' love controller jumped to 65 dollars. It used to be 49 plus shipping, and I currently have two of them.Is there a better value out there for digital temperature controllers?

[stellarbrew]

IMHO, you will get more precise control, more programability, and a much more robust, dependable design by purchasing a used industrial grade temperature controller from somewhere like eBay. You can get them cheaper than one of those new, lighter-duty designs. Just keep in mind that depending on the controller you select, you may need to also get an ice-cube relay to handle the current draw of a refrigerator. The relay can be wired normally open or normally closed depending on the set-up of the controller. Most of these controllers will allow input from an RTD, a thermocouple, or a thermistor type element.Here is one example of hundreds:https://cgi.ebay.com...Con...:1|294:50

Edited by stellarbrew, 31 May 2009 - 06:41 AM.

[3rd party JKor]

I got mine from Auber Instruments (www.auberins.com), they specialize in controls for hobbyists. They have a bunch of other stuff too, relays, temp probes, etc. I got the 1/32 DIN controller, it's cheap and it works fine. You need a relay, either SSR or mechanical depending on the model of controller (you can get relays from Auber Ins for pretty cheap, too). You can probably get better quality stuff on eBay for the same price, but I went with Auber because I knew what I was getting and didn't have to troll eBay for weeks for a controller I like for a reasonable price.

[stangbat]

I agree that the industrial controllers are often cheaper and offer more bells and whistles. But you need to pay attention when going that route. As stellarbrew said, lot of them don't have relays built in, and if they do they are current limited, meaning you may need an external relay to do the switching. For the Watlow PIDs like in that auction, you have to pay attention to the model number: 965A-3CD0-00GR. The manual gives the unit's specs (page 39) based on the model number. That one has DC switched output on Output 1 to control a SSR and a mechanical relay (limited to 5A) on Output 2.

Edited by stangbat, 31 May 2009 - 07:45 AM.

[gnef]

Hmmmmmmm, the industrial controllers are something for me to think about. My gut reaction is that I am not an electrician, and would be afraid of frying something (most likely me) in the process of trying to get everything hooked up correctly. I will definitely keep looking in to it though, and I have a brewclub buddy that may be able to educate me on it as well.Are there any digital controllers like the love though that are in the 50ish price range though?