Ferm wrap or other cheap ferm temp control

[dshepard]

I recently bought two ferm wraps. They have been great at keeping a consistent fermentation temperature. I use them on large plastic buckets so they only wrap half way around but they still do the job.

I went a cheap route on the temperature controller. I bought a Zilla temperature controller for 30 bucks on the internet. They are for keeping reptiles aquarium at a consistent temperature. I just taped the probe on the fermenter and BLAMO!!, consistent temperature.

Does the Owner's manual indicate what the differential is for this controller?

[Hoont]

Good question... I can't say I looked. The manual is long gone with the packaging. Its usually right on when I look but I'll watch it through a cycle and see if can discern the differential.

[dshepard]

Good question... I can't say I looked. The manual is long gone with the packaging. Its usually right on when I look but I'll watch it through a cycle and see if can discern the differential.

The price is right!! Much less than the Johnson analog.

[Holt]

I have my conical in an upright freezer and use the 2-stage Ranco controller. I tape the probe to the side of the conical and insulate the probe with a hand towel taped to the conical. I put a small desk lamp with a 40w light bulb inside the freezer that is plugged into the heat side of the Ranco.

I am always within 1 degree of my target fermentation temperature and have been very happy with this setup so far.

[foomench]

I picked up a waterbed heater for free on craigslist. It has its own controller, but as I haven't used it yet, I don't know if it goes down low enough in temperature.

[Hoont]

A follow-up on the Zilla temperature controller. Still not sure of the differential... but this is my unscientific observation:

I've got an american brown ale in the primary fermenter; today is day 10 so I have the temp jacked up. The zilla controller has a manual dial and its currently set between 70 and 80, so I say its 75. I have the probe taped to the plastic bucket and I have a fermometer (thermometer sticker) on the bucket. At the time the controller turned on to heat the bucket, the fermometer was solid green on 75 and the 77 was a very light copper color. So I say the temperature was 75 to 76. The controller stayed on for 21 minutes. At the time it turned off, the fermometer still red solid green on 75 but the 77 was a darker copper color. The controller stayed off for 13.5 minutes-ish. When it turned on, it looked like it started; solid green on 75 and the 77 was a light copper.

Wish I could be more accurate on the differential... but that's what I got to work with.

It goes without saying (though I'm going to say it), probably best to get the Ranco if you can afford it. I have a Johnson controller on a spare fridge and its well constructed and well proven. I have been using a Zilla controller for 1.5 years without a problem... and I have two others I recently purchased with no problems. But as with the rest of the equipment I skimped on, I'll probably end up replacing it later on down the line.

[dshepard]

A follow-up on the Zilla temperature controller. Still not sure of the differential... but this is my unscientific observation:

I've got an american brown ale in the primary fermenter; today is day 10 so I have the temp jacked up. The zilla controller has a manual dial and its currently set between 70 and 80, so I say its 75. I have the probe taped to the plastic bucket and I have a fermometer (thermometer sticker) on the bucket. At the time the controller turned on to heat the bucket, the fermometer was solid green on 75 and the 77 was a very light copper color. So I say the temperature was 75 to 76. The controller stayed on for 21 minutes. At the time it turned off, the fermometer still red solid green on 75 but the 77 was a darker copper color. The controller stayed off for 13.5 minutes-ish. When it turned on, it looked like it started; solid green on 75 and the 77 was a light copper.

Wish I could be more accurate on the differential... but that's what I got to work with.

It goes without saying (though I'm going to say it), probably best to get the Ranco if you can afford it. I have a Johnson controller on a spare fridge and its well constructed and well proven. I have been using a Zilla controller for 1.5 years without a problem... and I have two others I recently purchased with no problems. But as with the rest of the equipment I skimped on, I'll probably end up replacing it later on down the line.

Cool, thanks for the follow-up.....

[sharkguy05]

Hmmm, well i have a ranco temp control for my fridge. I guess I could just put the probe on the carboy and wire the ferm wrap to the controller and just have the fridge plugged in and set the temp with the dial on the front. Fridge temps don't need to be exact just around 40 to keep the kegs cool. I think that'll work Thanks for the info guys