FV Temp Controller

[Almundo]

Anyone used the STC1000 for fermentation temp control? I've just bought one from ebay. Going to wire it up and see what's like

[RobP]

I use one as a temperature controller for a fridge with a heater in it. Works well for that, loads of info on how to do that on the internet if you need. Nowadays a company called Inkbird make a ready made controller for the purpose, available on Amazon, probably cheaper and simpler to get one of those.

[LeeH]

A very popular controller but if you’re building one you may as well just buy the ink bird now.


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[Paddington]

I'm thinking of an ink bird. Which model do you recommend.

[LeeH]

I would get the Blue one so you can have you can programme steps into the fermentation. Some yeasts are recommended that you ramp up a couple of degrees at the end of fermentation. Like the yeast bay vermount strain.

Just depends on your budget and how long you think you are staying in the hobby I guess.

[RobP]

I'm thinking of an ink bird. Which model do you recommend.

What do you want to use it for?

[Paddington]

I'm thinking of an ink bird. Which model do you recommend.

What do you want to use it for?

A fermentation fridge.

[Almundo]

Had look at the inkbird. It has a 2.2kw output, which is slightly below the rating of my heater. I want a temp controller that I can use for the HLT for sparge water as well as the FV. I plan on using a relay with a 25amp output which do both my heater elements

[LeeH]

The STC will be pants on your HLT.


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[Almundo]

Whys that?

[RobP]

I'm thinking of an ink bird. Which model do you recommend.

What do you want to use it for?

A fermentation fridge.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inkbird-Temper ... ds=inkbird

[LeeH]

It won’t control anywhere near accurately enough.


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[vacant]

It won’t control anywhere near accurately enough.

Because the temperature probe isn't waterproof so has to get taped to the outside?

As a note - I built my own for less than half the price as I had sockets/extension lead spare and bought a cheap project box, but since it takes around a hour to mod the box, cut the internal wiring etc you might as well pay an extra £15 unless it's no problem for you and all part of the fun of home brewing.

[LeeH]

It’s a simple on or off controller so you will find the temperature will overshoot your set point.


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[Kev888]

STCs and on/off thermostats (of reasonable resolution) have been fine for my HLTs; the large mass of liquor doesn't change temperature quickly, so they don't overshoot significantly (and there generally isn't cooling involved so no worries about that clicking in prematurely to cause cyclic hunting). There tends to be more error from temperature stratification in the HLT, unless stirred whilst reaching the set point.

Though the overshooting principle is correct; I wouldn't choose to use one for RIMS or certain types of HERMS.