Brew Fridge Temperature Control

cellone · Post by **cellone** » Sun May 13, 2012 9:08 pm

Hi, I'm getting a tall larder fridge for my birthday and wondered if I can run it at 12 degrees or do I need an ATC800? If it's the latter is a tube heater needed (I have one) ? The fridge will be kept at room temperature.

AnthonyUK · Post by **AnthonyUK** » Mon May 14, 2012 8:46 am

Hi,
I'm guessing you won't need a heater if the ambient temp is always above 12Â°c but whether the thermostat will hold it at 12Â°c you won't know until you get it. I'm guessing it won't but you may be lucky.
With a temp controller though you will eliminate all doubt

cellone · Post by **cellone** » Mon May 14, 2012 8:46 pm

Thank's. I was hoping someone would say 12c, no problem. All fridge's can do 12c. Oh well, I'll get a temperature controller.

Stu The Brew 2 · Post by **Stu The Brew 2** » Tue May 15, 2012 7:51 pm

Have a look at my post at viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45728
I have built a fermentation cupboard out of an old upstanding freezer with an atc 800 controller.
I have it sitting at 12oc for brewing larger. You will be fine now just using the chiller, however I did need a heater in the depths of winter. I used a small 30w tube heater off of ebay controlled seamlessly + or - 1oc of 12oc by the atc 800.
If my link doesn't work search for "beer fermentation fridge with pics".
Let me know how you get on.

Stu.

richc · Post by **richc** » Tue May 15, 2012 10:56 pm

I'd also suggest getting an stc-1000 rather than an at-800. They are smaller, cheaper and can control to a tighter temperature range.

cellone · Post by **cellone** » Fri May 25, 2012 8:25 pm

Sorry for slack response, been on hol. Thanks Stu, an interesting thread. I'll post when my build is complete. Rich, I might go for the stc 1000, but looking at the wiring diagram for it I can't see where to wire the earths for the fridge or heater, only live and neutral.

Post by **themadhippy** » Fri May 25, 2012 8:33 pm

Theres no earths on the controller,just use a bit of terminal block and join them all together with it

cr0fty · Post by **cr0fty** » Fri May 25, 2012 9:32 pm

+1 from me for the STC-1000 too. It's a nifty piece of kit when you crack the wiring and instructions!

cellone wrote:Rich, I might go for the stc 1000, but looking at the wiring diagram for it I can't see where to wire the earths for the fridge or heater, only live and neutral.

Wire the live and neutral wires to the corresponding ports on the STC-1000 and then just wire the earth wires directly to the earth wire that comes from the plug socket that gives power to the unit with choc blocks.

That's how I did mine

GrowlingDogBeer · Post by **GrowlingDogBeer** » Fri May 25, 2012 10:19 pm

Heres a better wiring diagram for the STC-1000.

cellone · Post by **cellone** » Sat May 26, 2012 1:50 am

That makes sense. Cheers Fellers.

cr0fty · Post by **cr0fty** » Sat May 26, 2012 4:28 am

Runwell-Steve wrote:Heres a better wiring diagram for the STC-1000.

That's the same diagram I used I think. Just make sure though that the connections on the diagram are in the same order as your controller and not swapped like I've heard stories of

cellone · Post by **cellone** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:28 pm

Again cheers for all the advice. Took delivery of one STC-1000 today, fk me it's tiny.

Now all I have to do is extend the up stairs ring main to the old bathroom and install my brewfridge.

Pinto · Post by **Pinto** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:54 pm

Making my next step in the brewing career - today, I picked up my Bosch Classix Larder fridge

After half a dozen or so attempts on ebay ( bloody snipe bidders

) I decided to have a look through the local free ad rag and..BOOM ! Bosch Larder fridge, used but good condition..... Â£10

Duly went up there and picked it up - now awaiting in the shed. I'll be ordering a STC1000 and tube heater tomorrow when the pennies come in and hopefully doing the conversion next week on my week off

Proper lager, here we come !

Of course.... I can see that im probably going to need another for ale brewing....but how to get it past SWMBO...

cellone · Post by **cellone** » Wed May 30, 2012 11:03 pm

Tell her to think about the extra fridge space available for Christmas then casually mention the temperature the fridges are kept at in mid October. At this point she will see the need for a third tall larder fridge, giving you a lagering fridge to boot.

Everyone's a winner.

fego · Post by **fego** » Thu May 31, 2012 10:04 am

Pinto wrote:I can see that im probably going to need another for ale brewing....but how to get it past SWMBO...

Depending on how much you brew, you might not need another fridge actually...

I've been brewing a few lagers and ales recently and managed to work out a schedule which used the fridge to ferment the lager whilst at the same time condition the Ale (12C). I did the Ales first then bottled/kegged it and conditioned it whilst the the lager fermented.

Seemed to work for me.

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