Keep cool / warm up

[tim]

Having got through summer trying to keep a fridge in the garage around 13C, (using a timer to cut the fridge out a regular intervals) am now wondering how to warm it as the weather gets colder. Ideally am looking for something to override the fridge thermostat, but can't seem to find anything - any ideas?

[Andy]

Vossy replaced his fridge thermostat with one from RS having a more suitable temperature range. He posted lots of pictures on the "old" site - those posts will shortly be transferred over to here but in the mean time here is the thread:-

old_forum_backups/5%20Brewing%20Equipme ... sy_ke.html

[RabMaxwell]

I use LAE MTR temperature controllers to control my Fermentation temperature and also my beer chest freezer. You can use a light bulb or heat bulb for heating in the winter you would in the long run be better buying one that controls heating and cooling.Check out Hawco Refrigeration. The internet is full of cheep easy to use controllers i have normally picked mine up from ebay.I just put the temperature in i want and thats it no hassel. Cheers RabMaxwell(Brewing in Ayrshire)

[tim]

Andy - brilliant, thanks for the link. Just had a quick look so far but looks like the business

[tim]

Rab - looks like a range of possibilities there too - now I'm spoiled for choice. Will let you guys know how I get on
Best wishes
Tim

[Vossy1]

Hi Tim, Try this one

http://jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=350

It's simply a thermostat controlled light bulb. You could put the whole lot in your fridge, unplug the fridge and plug this one in...no messing, no re-wiring...simple.

Need any help, get in touch

[tim]

Vos - looks great and fantastically simple ... but you're in a different place to this techno simpleton - where do all those wires go and how are they connected? T

[Vossy1]

Hi T, I'll have to have a look at the wiring tomorrow morning and I'll let you know, it's really easy, even for another techno simpleton....me

The thermostat is a central heating job from Wickes £9.99. The light bulb holder is from B+Q. I've used standerd lighting flex 3 core and a 100watt bulb, though you could probably get away with a 40watt.

[Seveneer]

I like this solution Vossy. I'm guessing it's the UV in natural light that adversely affects fermenting beer so there's no need to worry about that here, right?

/Phil.

[RabMaxwell]

Hello all you don't even need to use a light bulb.Last year i disconnected my light bulb and wired it to a fish tank heater in a small tank in my beer fridge.I think it used less energy as the water holds temperature much longer.But put the temperature probe in the fridge not the water tank as it will be more accurate.I used to use the same setup to keep large starters at the correct temperature in cold weather. Cheers Rabmaxwell(Brewing in Ayrshire)

[Vossy1]

I'm guessing it's the UV in natural light that adversely affects fermenting beer so there's no need to worry about that here, right?

That is correct

Like your soln also RM Were an inventive lot

[Frothy]

PID controller? Most people with HERMS setups use them to control a boiler element and regulate mash temperature but are versatile and can be used for coolers etc too. After a bit of advice from Seveneer I purchased a pair on ebay with SSR's (solid state relays) for ~ £25 a pair. There's one you can buy off the shelf from colepalmer that is designed for fridge/ freezers for about £35 and you can set the temps from -20oc upwards. http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/catalog/Pro ... 015&pfx=CZ
The way I hope to use mine is wired to my freezer so that it regulates the temp anywhere between 0 & 50oc then with an override switch so that the unit can be returned to regulation by its original thermostat for use as a freezer. you could equally use it with a heater in cold months.

here's one being used on a gaggia coffe maker ->
http://www.thedomesticbarista.com/content/view/17/27/

Matt

[Vossy1]

Hi Tim, sorry for the delay in this post, I've been very busy lately.

Right, The lighting flex is 3 core, blue, brown, yellow/green. I'll assume you know how to strip wires prior to inserting in terminals

In the plug the blue goes to N (neutral), brown goes to L (live) and green/yellow goes to E (earth).

Cut a length of the flex to reach from the plug to the thermostat in the fridge.

At the thermostat there are terminals 1,3,2, shown as screws top of picture below, and earth, the 4th screw with the green/yellow wire in the picture.

Attach the brown wire from the plug flex to terminal 1 in the thermostat (the left most screw).
Attach the yellow/green wire from the plug flex to the earth terminal in the thermostat.

Next you need to attach a seperate piece of flex to your light fitting. The light fitting should already be wired up for the bulb so just place the brown and blue wires from your flex, into a terminal next to the blue/brown wire that's already there.
Attach the green/yellow of the flex to the earth terminal in the light fitting.

At the other end of the bulb flex attach the brown wire to terminal 2 of the thermostat. Attach the green/yellow to the earth terminal of the thermostat.

You should now be left with 2 loose blue wires. Using a connector block, connect the 2 blue wires and wrap well with insulation tape.


That's it...job done

[tim]

Vos - you're a star, thanks. Will get down to it tomorrow
T

[Zebra]

PID controller? After a bit of advice from Seveneer I purchased a pair on ebay with SSR's (solid state relays) for ~ £25 a pair.

Matt

Blimey, cripes, jeepers etc. etc. That's a lot cheaper than the one I bought from RS a few months back. Still, you live and learn. Have you got the details of where you got them on Ebay?