Kegerator temp controller

[sdixon]

Before I buy one thought I would check to see if anyone had a temperature controller to plug my new freezer into? Also need a temp control to run a fan to pull cold air from freezer into fermentation chamber.

[fakr]

Hey Steve, I don't have a spare controller, but I'd recommend you buy a dual control unit so you can do hot and cold at the same time.  a must for spring and fall weather, unless this is in a temp controlled room.

I'd also recommend running a fan constantly to keep a constant temp throughout your chamber...otherwise you'll find ice buildup in the freezer and warm up top.  That's what happens to mine when the fan is off.

[sdixon]

For the thermostat control, it's just, plug unit into socket and then freezer into it. How would I wire my freezer to said dual stage controller?

So for the freezer, I was going to set temp at around 2C. Then run a hose or pipe from the bottom of the freezer up and out top (will build a 6" raised lid out of wood to put taps through and attached freezer lid to that, standard fair) and put hose through that and into fermentation chamber.

If I have freezer set at 2C and ferm chamber (on another controller connected to a fan inline with hose) set at say 65C, then the fan would run untill the ferm chamber was 65 (or carboy if I attach probe to it). The freezer would come on to stay at 2C. 2C won't build up ice will it?

Does this not sound as though it will work? Am I missing something?

[Chris Craig]

Yeah, that'll work, and yes you'll need 2 controllers. I bought this a couple of years ago for my keezer.  It's mechanical, but works just fine.  This plugs in to the wall, and the freezer plugs into the controller.  Simple.  It only works for cooling though.

For a ferm chamber, your idea works when it's warm to cool things down, but what about when it's too cool and you need to warm things up?  That's where a dual stage controller comes in handy. You plug a heater and a cooling device in, and the controller decides which one to power based on the temperature.

You can get cheap ones off of ebay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mini-Digital-Tem ... 4601wt_952

Make sure if you get one of these that it's the 110V, 10Amp version.  A few of us use them, and they're great.

[fakr]

Ah, I see what you're saying.  the freezer is used to serve with, and a separate, detatched box is used as the ferm chamber.  So I'm assuming this is all going to live in your house which is temperature controlled?

You'll need either 1 dual stage temp controller, or 2 single contropllers.

1 controller to turn your freezer on and off at a set temp.
1 controller to turn your fan on and off at a set ferm temp.

You will for sure have ice  and water buildup in your freezer.  No way around it if you are cooling to above 0 degrees and have an air current running through it...and also if the volume of the freezer has been increased.

One more thing Steve...you'll need to put a return air line back into your freezer or you'll end up with an air lock in your single hose and it won't cool your ferm chamber...that will cause your freezer to ice and water up.

[sdixon]

Chris:

For a ferm chamber, your idea works when it's warm to cool things down, but what about when it's too cool and you need to warm things up? That's where a dual stage controller comes in handy. You plug a heater and a cooling device in, and the controller decides which one to power based on the temperature.

Yes, I had thought of that, your'e right. I will need a dual stage controller for the ferm chamber to power a heater as well.

Fakr:

Ah, I see what you're saying. the freezer is used to serve with, and a separate, detatched box is used as the ferm chamber. So I'm assuming this is all going to live in your house which is temperature controlled?

Yes, it's a freezer I just bought that will be in the garage. It stays above freezing in winter, but probably between 1 and 5 C. So I would need some heat for the ferm chamber.

1 controller to turn your freezer on and off at a set temp.
1 controller to turn your fan on and off at a set ferm temp.

So thinking of the thermostat controller for the freezer and the dual controller for the ferm chamber to power fan (cooling) and a heater.

One more thing Steve...you'll need to put a return air line back into your freezer or you'll end up with an air lock in your single hose and it won't cool your ferm chamber...that will cause your freezer to ice and water up.

Good point... hadn't thought of that. Probably a hole in the 2x6 lid extension with a rubber flap over it would do the trick.

Thanks guys... good ideas.