Analog vs Digital Temp Controller

[Sent From My iPhone]

Is a digital temp controller significantly better than the cheaper analog controllers? In the near future I may want to get two, one for fermentation and another for a chest freezer keggerator. I assume the digital would have a closer temp differential setting. Anyone care to share the pros and cons of both?

[bub]

Go digital
also check out the "love controller / PID " thread
digital is usually only a little more and can heat or cool (or both) on the same unit. Analog is really inaccurate and needs lots of tweaking, plus the probe is usually quite fragile.
BUB

[Mylo]

Well, besides the potentially tighter (and configurable) differential - the digitals have an accurate, built in thermometer. I wouldn't trust the temp settings on the analog dial - I would use an external thermometer. If you have the time to dial it in, and you already own a trustworthy thermometer - and you don't intend to change the temp frequently, then I think the analog ones will do you fine. I personally think the benefits of the digital are worth the additional cost. Especially considering that I might like to crash my carboys down at the end of fermentation - and I don't want to have to re-fuss with analog temps.


Mylo

[macgruffus]

I've got two analog controllers (one each for my keg cooler and fermentation chamber) and have been happy with them. I do use a second thermometer when fermenting as a check on the controller. I tape the probe to the carboy and have one of those stick on thermometer strips on the carboy too.

I'd say save the cash and go analog for a keg cooler but I'll probably upgrade to digital for the fermentation chamber some day soon.

[Sent From My iPhone]

Good points, thanks for the feedback. I would think analog would be ok for a freezer and digital more appropriate for fermentation.

Bub, when's the Brewdroid coming out? I'm not an electronics wizard and was thinking of going plug-and-play, but that has a pretty high cool factor.

[BDawg]

For a serving fridge, analog is just fine.
For a fermentign fridge, go digital for the finer grained control.

HTH-

[BeerPal]

For a serving fridge, analog is just fine.
For a fermentign fridge, go digital for the finer grained control.

Bingo. This is what I do.

[bub]

I havent heard recently.
I'll ask around and see the progress, last I knew they were working on the user interface.
BUB