Warming up a cold area for lagers.

[brewerTristan]

I'm looking to brew some lagers this winter, but my fermentation chamber only has enough room for one carboy. But, I live in a building with a downstairs area where the front door is that tends to be in the 40 F to 55 F range this time of year. So I'm looking to ferment a second beer in that area with the aid of a brew belt and a digital temp control. A few questions:

1. There are no outlets down there, so I would need to use an extension cord. Is that okay with a brew belt, or am I looking at some sort of electrical problem?

2. I've read that brew belts shouldn't be used with glass carboys, but nobody seems to take much notice of that. Should I?

3. I have a Johnson digital temp controller. Can this be programmed to turn on the belt when the temp gets too low, just as it turns a fridge on when it gets too warm?

4. Is there anything else I should be concerned about?

Thanks very much.

[Sent From My iPhone]

[TheMadHopper]

If you have some sort of container (cooler, etc) to put it in, you may consider this:
http://www.amazon.com/Repticare-Watt-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B0002AQCPU
Basically a ceramic heater that screws into a light socket. No light, but emits heat. I love these things.

[brewerTristan]

Do you already have a brew belt? If not, you may want to consider a Fermwrap:
http://morebeer.com/view_product/16674//The_FermWrap_Heater
I provides a gentler, more even heat for carboys. You can switch the pins inside your controller to heat instead of cool, check with the users manual for the model you have to see how to do this.

Yeah I considered a fermwrap, but they are really expensive in Canada for some reason ($60), whereas a brew belt is about $20. Does anyone know if the Johnson digital controller manual is online? I bought mine used and didn't get the manual. Also, any clue if brew belts are okay to use with an extension cord?

[Crackin]

Extension cords are fine. It only puts out 20-25 watts. I would use an 13 amp cord, just to be sure, though. (Not one of those flat, super skinny cords used for lights).