external thermostat (what are you using)

I'm currently using the Inkbird Itc-308 and enjoying it quite a bit (currently only using the heating and not yet cooling). I've used it with two different space heaters for a small space in my basement.

 

I use a Ranco. For heat, I wrap a plant germination heating mat around the fermenter, plugged in to the Ranco, with the probe on the inside. I wrap blankets or a sleeping bag on that for insulation. I've been meaning to shop for some sort of insulation wrap that will give a more elegant look than a pile of blankets. Part of my desire to have a more organized brewhouse, but in this case, probably only cosmetic.

 

I built this for a total of $45. I had the electrical parts in the shop so I only had to buy the stc-1000 , the box, some small odds and ends, and the breakaway computer plug on the back side that I added. http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pimp-my-system/build-temperature-controller/

It works great...heat and cool control in one unit for 50-75% the cost of a commercial unit.

Front view http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/s...D-4DCE-B31F-6595E4CD7684_zpsq2m3cktc.jpg.html

Rear view http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/s...E-4D82-B951-C167313A14F7_zpsxly5dboz.jpg.html

 

This is a pretty sweet deal for under 40 bucks. I was firmly in the Ranco camp with two of them, until I tried the basic Inkbird (STC-1000 clone). Performance is better than the Ranco for less than half price. Then this new Inky (308) showed up pre-wired for hot/cold, plus it looks good . . . with a price still under Ranco or Johnson.

 

Johnson A419. I've used several of these for years, with no hiccups.

 

Johnson A419 on both my fermenting freezer and keezer. Accurate and easy to use.

 

I use a Ranco two-stage temp controller. The fridge for cooling, obviously. For warming the space, I use an electric heating pad that I just drape over the fridge door and let it hang down. I've never had an issue with this setup, though I've not used anything else for comparison.

 

I use an STC-1000 with a gardening heat mat.

 

STC1000, I've built 3 now. 1 for ferm chamber, 1 for yeast incubator, and 1 for keezer.

 

TC-9102D. Bought two of them at AHA convention a couple years ago at a nice discount. They're nice. Also have two older Johnson analog controllers that I used for beer fridge control for years.

http://www.amazon.com/Control-Products-TC-9102D-HV-Temperature-Controller/dp/B0057APR3I

 

From a recent thread:

 

I just bought one of these.. I had always fermented in my house with a fridge so I pretty much only needed to chill it, so the johnson controls worked fine... Now I'm in an attached storage shed and there is much more of a temperature fluctuation. Doing a lager until the brew belt comes in and I can test out the inkbird.

 

So I'm looking for another temperature controller other than the Johnson A419 because I want to be able to switch from heating to cooling without having to open the panel and move the jumper. I was going to buy the ranco controller that is on morebeer.com for $100. What is the reason in the difference in price between these two items? I will normally prefer quality over saving a few bucks so I'd like to see what you have to say. Thanks and cheers!

 

I have two Rancos and one STC1000 (Inkbird) and they all work perfectly for both heating and cooling. My Rancos are single stage, you have to push a button to switch from heating to cooling (H or C). The Inkbird is dual stage, which means you can program heating and cooling and have both H/C elements plugged in . . . you could leave town for a year and the temp would stay the same.

Rancos are available on eBay for under 50 bucks (you wire the extension cord), Inkbird is under 20 bucks (Amazon/eBay) if you wire it . . . a touch more if pre-wired.

Search YouTube to see them in action. My next one will be the 308.

 

@CADETS3 name, the name is what changes the price.

 

Thermostar with the long probe attached to a fermwrap heater. Works wonders.

 

Man I saw that and it looked tempting.

 

I've had nothing but success with it, and it's very intuitive. You can also control the amount of variance in temperature allowed before it heats or cools and other fun technical stuff.

 

But I could get 2 inkbirds for the price of one!