Temperature controllers

I have three of the Johnson analog/dial controllers (kegerator/ale ferm. chamber/lager ferm. chamber) which are relatively inexpensive and +/- 4 degrees F. I personally have had no negative issues with them.

 

The probe on the A419 can fit inside a typical thermowell. Most can't. I have three A419s and they all do exactly what they are supposed to even after many years.

 

the thermo star has a lot going for it but it does not have a very long history. I have not used one or even seen one.

the A419 on the other hand has been around for many years and I do not ever recall anyone ever posting about a mechanical problem. they work very well and can do what a homebrewer needs it to do.

id go with the A419 if I had the choice and needed another. it ain't broke and don't need fixin.
Cheers.

 

A Johnson analog controller is all you need. Cheaper than the A419. And more reliable. (not that the A419 is plagued by reliability issues)

I've long been opposed to digital temperature controllers for the simple reason that an analog controller is one of the most insanely low-tech devices ever devised by man. Why anybody would screw that up by adding electronics is beyond me.

My recommendation is to get a Johnson analog controller and save yourself a few bucks.

 

I'm happy with my Ranco analog therm. I've had my beer within a degree of what it's set at every time I take a reading.

 

A thermowell is basically a metal sleeve (built into a fermenter or its lid/cover/cap) that sits in the wort/beer. The probe of a controller/thermometer sits inside of the thermowell. So the probe can (almost) directly measure the temperature of the liquid, while staying dry.

 

i think the price is competitive, the display is big and shiny. both blue and red display for cooling or heating mode. the option of having the immersible probe is nice but comes with a significant cost, and i personally dont think it is too difficult to get to the right temp with an ambient air probe. the biggest advantage, as far as i can tell as i haven't used it, is the ease of programming and the ability to switch from heating to cooling mode quickly.

the A419 is not at all complicated, but it was not designed specifically for homebrewers. some people find it difficult to comprehend the operating instructions. the acronyms and set up is a bit confusing (ASD? dif?) a heating and cooling technician won't have any problem, and most brewers are somewhat technically inclined but i would expect the typical Joe Homeowner would be lost. all that said, anyone can figure it out. its not that complex. and if you aren't planning to use the heating mode (most people don't) it wont matter anyway.
Cheers.

 

The typical Joe Homeowner likely doesn't brew his own beer, so this is probably a moot point.

 

I have three of these and they work great.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/

Digital STC-1000 All-Purpose Temperature Controller Thermostat Aquarium w/Sensor, $21.99 free shipping from ebay.

 

Interesting. Did you use the HBT forum link to build the project box and all of that?

 

I picked up one of these recently:

http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Anyc...mperature_Controller_p/ac211-temp-control.htm

Priced it out and it only ended up costing me a little more than what it would cost to get all the parts and build a controller out of an STC-1000. Factor in the time it would have taken to build the STC and this controller was an easy choice.

 

Yeah, I've made three.

 

Thanks for the link, I fiddled with mine for a bit and finally figured it out but its nice to have a clean link for a DIY box. The documentation that came with mine was terribly unclear about what the heating and cooling hot in and out terminals were actually doing. turns out they just close the circuit and don't route power...

I have the analog and digital johnson controllers too but wanted something a little cheaper that could do both heating and cooling. The latter being the best feature.

 

I've built one of these as well. This link spells it out in a bit more detail for a wiring noob like myself. I also liked not needing to mess with wiring outlets.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/Inexpen...Vessel-Fermentation-Chamber-DIY-homebrew.html

Here's mine, still hasn't decided to mount itself yet though.

 

I've built 2 now, did a Power Point on how to build and ways to use for my brew club too.

http://endofsilencebrewing.blogspot.com/2014/06/diy-digital-dual-stage-temp-controller.html

 

I've started to put the pieces for one of these together. I bought a thermowell for my Pliny kit but won't be using it right away, instead using the crystal thermo strips like last time. If they're accurate at all then I'm staying at or below 70F. Anyway, bought a STC-1000 on eBay yesterday and the project box from Radio Shack yesterday too. Probably swing by the Depot and get an electrical box. Might have to get an extension cord suitable for whatever amperage my chest freezer draws. Great video and I'll follow it to the letter when I have all of the pieces assembled, hopefully this weekend.

 

That's the video I used to build both of mine.