Beer Forum

I have been trying to make my brew better this year and have been told by several people now the key is to use a temperature controller. I don't know if I should get the single or dual stage controller. I assume I only need the single stage if i'm only worried about cooling and not heating but I want to verify this. I found one for <$60 on Amazon and figured I give it a shot but now I'm wondering if I should've gotten the dual stage model. The model is TC-9102S-HV if you want to see what i'm talking about it it's at http://www.amazon.com/Control-Products-TC-9102S-HV-Temperature-Controller/dp/B0057APQIY/ref=sr_1_11?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1314826107&sr=1-11 Single of Dual stage !??!!!!??? Thanks in advance!

Yes.

Depends on what you want to accomplish. If you want to create a controlled environmental chamber for fermentation, single stage set to the desired temp. If you want to keep a really tight rein on things, cooling the chamber then warming the fermenter with a heat wrap then switching back to cooling mode then warming mode. ..... dual stage controller.

You already bought the single stage? Use it. Then decide if you need a dual stage. I have three controllers now

Contemplating this switch as well...probably a silly question but can the dual stage controller be used as a single stage?

SeeFish wrote:Contemplating this switch as well...probably a silly question but can the dual stage controller be used as a single stage?

Sure, just don't plug anything into the second stage.

BeernWineGuy - A single stage will work fine. I run a fridge in a garage on a single stage controller year around. In the winters, when the garage temps drop too much, sometimes I have trouble keeping the temp high enough. A dual stage would be ideal for this situation, but as a work around I just wrap a 1 gallon carboy full of water with fermwrap and plug it in. Sure, it's on all the time and wasting electricity, and sure, the fridge is having to fight it continuously, but for the handfull of weeks out of the year where I have to do this, it's not worth spending double on a dual stage to me.

keelanfish,"t for the handfull of weeks out of the year where I have to do this, it's not worth spending double on a dual stage to me."

I found the dual stage for $60 on Amazon..only $2 more than single. TC-9102D-HV. I've already got the single and it is working well although here in MN my garage is get below 0 in winter and over 100 in summer.. could've probably used the dual. Oh well! Happy brewing,

Sorry to rehash a dead thread, but I wanted to see if anyone else is using this brand of controller, and/or can compare it to the more standard Ranco and Johnson controllers. I have and use two of these (control products brand) controllers and am quite happy. I assume the issue with this product is that you have to wire this version yourself, which isn't difficult or expensive. I have never seen a real comparison to the standard controllers and figure others could benefit from a comparison as well as at least one data point for this controller (positive).

I have the dual stage controller that was linked above and I love it. It was a little pain in the ass to wire up, but it works great! I love that it gives you lots of options and don't forget about the "secret" hidden menu that allows you to adjust all the variables in the system. You can program it to turn off either one of the stages so you can use it as a single stage controller if you wish. I actually like the fact that you have to wire it yourself as you can customize it to fit your needs. I plan on adjusting mine a bit as I just moved into my new house and I'm going to hard mount the controller and junction box to the garage wall so they stay out of the way and are within easy reach to control.

Hi BeernWineGuy,

It's better to have the dual stage unit. It allows you to choose a control for heater or a chiller. So there's nothing to worry about.