Mini Digital Temperature Controller

[Spud395]

What a marathon, just read 9 pages and nothing negitive.
Think I'll jumo on the wagon as well .
With a few AG under my belt want to get some temp control for the FV's.
Looks like a good option

[bob downe]

Well,

After reading this thread I've just picked one up off eBay for £14.79 for heating my FV. I've got a suspicion the cold snaps are just around the corner in th UK.

I've heard a lot about people being afraid to drive a heating element with them.

You will be safe driving a 2.4Kw resistive load (Kettle element) as @ 240V this will pull 10 Amps. Granted you will be maxing it out but I suspect that they are using solid state relays or even mechanical relays to switch the power load. Most electrical items are rated slightly below what they can handle at Max.

That said, I would probably use an external relay if I were to use it for my HLT.

I'll be mainly using mine for aquarium heater \ heat belt now that winters around the corner. Gotta keep my FV in the garage.

Looking forward to getting it.

[mdex]

What temp probe are people using with this?

I'm going to be using it for a fermenting fridge.

[dynamic dave]

Do you think i would be overloading STC-1000 using a 600w tube heater?http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating ... 168/p32265

[Russ]

No it would be OK...... but thats a 60w heater and that will be fine

I use one of those heaters with mine.

Russ

[dynamic dave]

Thanks Russ I want to use it in mash and FV cupboard using the ST1000 to control it,

[deadlydes]

Hiya

I have one of the units and its been doing a cracking job.
I have recently changed my chilling method which basically mean i have an immersion chiller but when it kicks on it may chill down to -10C (v near the probe, it will chill down to -80C if i really want!) but that obviously means i get a block of ice around the probe so to stop this i put the chilling unit's own temp sensor very near the immersion probe itself.
this works but what it means is that the chiller cycles between say -5 and -3. so if i have the temp controller set to say 5C the power is always going to the chilling circuit but the chiller itself is turning on and off.

this evening i rigged this up and all was happy for 30 mins or so. then the temp controller cut out and wont come on again. have i overloaded it when the compressor kicks on and off so much? its perhaps on and off once a minute.
is my controller dead or can i reset or replace a fuse or something?

Does this even make sense!

cheers

[deadlydes]

Anyone got any thoughts on the below post?

[Kev888]

Hi,

to be honest I'm not quite sure I understand the setup you had when it broke, perhaps if you clarified that a bit it may ring a bell with someone.

All I can suggest otherwise is checking things step by step. Disconnect the chiller from the controller and test them separately to make sure that it is the controller (and not the compressor blowing the fuse when plugged in). If the controller is still dead, make sure that there is definately power to it (check the fuse in the plug, check the wires are screwed in firmly at both ends and ideally use a suitable volt meter at the controller's terminals) then if no joy try it without the probe connected. Only mess with any of this if you're confident with the electrics of course, though.

If you test the controller in complete isolation like that and still get nothing then it would point to an internal fault. Not owning one I can't tell you if thats likely to be something you can fix or not, I'm afraid.

Cheers
kev

[boingy]

I also am not certain of your set-up but Kev's advice is good. Divide and conquer. Disconnect the compressor from the controller and plug the compressor directly into the mains. Does it run?

Attach a mains light bulb to the cooling circuit of the controller. Does it light when the temperature probe is above the set temperature?

Apply similar logic to test the chiller unit's own probe. I can't be more specific here because I don't know how it is set up.

[Dribble]

After reading this thread (a few times) I've just ordered one of these controllers from the sellers in HK on ebay...can't wait for it to arrive but expecting it to take a while. Planning to use it with a 60w tube heater to make a temp controlled fermenting cupboard...this will be my first adventure into the exciting world of DIY brewing equipment so may need some help off my wonderful fellow forummers!

[mdex]

I know its probably a bit late but that looks like the one I bought.

Unfortunately mine didn't come with a probe.

Does anyone know if something like this would be any good?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1M-3-3ft-K-Thermo ... 3f050dcda4

[befuggled]

Sorry Mdex, that probe is a "K" type thermocouple, you need a NTC thermistor probe.

I expect, but could not guarantee that this would work:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AKO-14901-NTC-The ... 4a9d9c1d13

Or for use in a vessel:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/sear ... &R=0461159

Search further back up the thread for pdtnc.

[mdex]

Sorry Mdex, that probe is a "K" type thermocouple, you need a NTC thermistor probe.

I expect, but could not guarantee that this would work:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AKO-14901-NTC-The ... 4a9d9c1d13

Or for use in a vessel:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/sear ... &R=0461159

Search further back up the thread for pdtnc.

Cheers befuggled!

[mdex]

WOW, RS delivery prices are a bit steep. They don't seem to do regular deliveries!?