My First Cellar - Temp. Controller Trouble

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by DrinkDrankPunk, Apr 23, 2014.

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  1. DrinkDrankPunk

    DrinkDrankPunk Initiate (0) Jan 9, 2014 Virginia

    Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to help/answer any questions. I literally just set this up about 2 hours ago. I followed the advice I've seen in numerous threads about creating a cellar using a chest freezer and a temperature regulator. As you can see below, I bought the Johnson Controls A419 and (not pictured) set it to 55 degrees. As you can also see below, the thermometer (or whatever it's called) is in a bottle of water. The unit has been sitting for, as I said, about 2 hours now but seems to be stuck at 36 degrees. Is there some sort of adjustment period in which it will eventually settle at 55? or do I need to set the differential to something specific? Completely new to this so any help is appreciated!

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    #1 DrinkDrankPunk, Apr 23, 2014
  2. Erick_G

    Erick_G Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2013 California

    Did you set the differential on the temp controller? Maybe it's too high?
    Strictly off the top of my head , but I think you hold the menu button down and scroll until it shows something along the lines of diF..press menu, and set it and press menu to set it. I think I have mine set to 55 with a 4 or 5 degree differential.
     
    #2 Erick_G, Apr 24, 2014
  3. cwehr13

    cwehr13 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2011 Illinois

    I had the same issue as you did with the hole in the bottle filled with water. The probe is not water proof, it is water resistant. I filled the the freezer with beer and taped the probe to the side of one of the bottles and watched closely. it stays at 52 where I have it set. I have nod no issues with it for 2 months now. I have it set at 52 degrees with a dif of 1 degree. for the cycle option I have it set a 12.
     
    #3 cwehr13, Apr 24, 2014
  4. Erick_G

    Erick_G Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2013 California

    I have mine in a bottle of water, but did so in such a way where only the metal part of the probe is in contact with water. I've had mine that way for quite some time without a problem, but now what you're saying is making me reevaluate my method. How much of the probe did you have in the water?
     
    #4 Erick_G, Apr 25, 2014
  5. DawgPhan

    DawgPhan Initiate (0) Mar 23, 2012 Georgia

    Was the freezer cold when you started? those freezers hold in the cold really well. It will take a while for it to warm up. Is the freezer currently off?

    If it is below temp and the freezer is on, then you have an issue. Else just wait and see if it comes up to temp.
     
    #5 DawgPhan, Apr 25, 2014
  6. crusian

    crusian Pooh-Bah (1,989) May 14, 2010 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree, no water. tape to the inside.
     
    #6 crusian, Apr 25, 2014
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  7. cwehr13

    cwehr13 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2011 Illinois

    Only the tip, once i taped it to the side of the bottle I had no issues.
     
    #7 cwehr13, Apr 25, 2014
  8. DrinkDrankPunk

    DrinkDrankPunk Initiate (0) Jan 9, 2014 Virginia

    Thanks for the advice guys! I guess it just took a while to settle out. I've got it set to 55 right now with a differential of 1 (which means when it hits 56 it kicks on and when it hits 54 it kicks off, I think...right?) Seems to be working just fine, usually hovers between 52-55 which I'm assuming is fine?
     
    #8 DrinkDrankPunk, Apr 28, 2014
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  9. JigsawRecords

    JigsawRecords Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 California

    Can anyone provide easy instructions for installing (and configuring) this controller? I'm a little lost with the instruction manual.
     
    #9 JigsawRecords, Sep 23, 2014
  10. Curb71

    Curb71 Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2012 California

    Sure, http://bit.ly/1mqSOvf
     
    #10 Curb71, Sep 23, 2014
  11. Curb71

    Curb71 Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2012 California

    Assuming you bought the wired controller I think all you need to do is set your desired temp, set your differential, and I read this somewhere on this forum too, "If you have the A419 johnson controls temp controller and are using it with a freezer just set the "SF" to "0" and the freezer will be turned off if the senors fails.
    The default setting for that controller is SF set to 1 which leaves the output energized."
    Installing should be as simple as plug the unit into your 110v wall outlet, plug your fridge/freezer into the unit, and put the probe in the fridge/freezer.

    I'm curious as to how many people here have this unit and have it in water or have it taped inside to the shell of the fridge/freezer. Or some other method. Pics/tips....
     
    #11 Curb71, Sep 23, 2014
  12. KingdomBobcat

    KingdomBobcat Initiate (0) May 2, 2013 Vermont

    This appears to me better suited to make a badass keezer from instead of something to keep your beer 55 degrees
     
    #12 KingdomBobcat, Oct 5, 2014
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