Beer Forum

I want to hook up a heating belt to my controller to do a diacetyl rest and dry hop now that the temps are dropping. Any know if you can switch them from cooling to heating?

BrianL wrote:I want to hook up a heating belt to my controller to do a diacetyl rest and dry hop now that the temps are dropping. Any know if you can switch them from cooling to heating?

I've heard yes and no - sorry, no help here

The analog Johnson relies on a coil of spring steel that heats up and expands to activate the relay that turns on the fridge. I'm pretty sure you can't convert it to trigger heating.

I suggest putting your Johnson on the Craigslist and buying a love controller. They are easily jumpered for heat control plus they are digital and have tighter tolerances plus some programming options. You can find the Love controller online for like $67. Search old posts to find the model number everyone is using, or maybe someone will post it. I can't check mine right now!

Thanks...I was afraid of that.

I have a $10 lamp timer I can set to turn on/off 48 times per day. I think I'll play with that and see if I can keep the temp somewhat consistent

I know some guys are using lamps. is anyone having problems with skunking? Incandescent bulbs emit light in the "skunk range" of 450-550nm* right?

*disclaimer: this range seems to be a "depends on who you ask" thing.

If you are worried about a light bulb skunking the beer (I think it is unlikely if you shield the beer from direct light exposure) go to a pet store and get a ceramic disc heater that screws into a light socket.


-- Animaldoc

I would advise staying away from lamps for heating. For both safety and quality. You can skunk a beer almost instantly with certain wavelengths. They are also super energy inefficient.

I have a Ranco 2-stage controller, and I use a seedling heating mat for heating. It heats very gently, only about 10 degrees above ambient temp. And it is liquid proof. I got it for $20 at my local Home Depot. This last weekend, my garage got down in the 40's, and the heating pad maintained my target 70 degrees. It only uses 17watts, so it's super efficient.

I didn't purchase it through Amazon, but this is the model I own:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MT10006 ... B0001WV010

I've never tried it nor endorse it for safety issues, but I have heard of some people wrapping the lightbulb in aluminum foil to negate the skunking effect. Maybe someone else knows more about this?