Temp. Control Unit

Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:06 am

I just got a new keg-rator for my B-day!

I plan to use it to temp control my fermentation when I don't have a keg in it. I was looking at the B3 catalog. They have an analog and a digital controller. The price diff. is about $30.

Would the analog (cheaper) be ok or if I'm spending the money, should I just get the digital one?

Feeback ???

Thx !
big_fat_bald_german_butt
 
Posts: 155
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:18 am
Location: Columbus, OH

Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:14 am

The analog will be fine, a little less acurate and a slightly wider swing if I recall correctly but does the job just fine.
But if you have the $30 hanging around why not... digital is cooler!, and if you decide to go digital in the future you are saving money right!
BUB
Lunch Meet "Limpian" Gold Medalist (x2) 2006
Winner of <b>NO PANTS</b> award 2006 and 2007
Make your own beer website... starting at $10 per YEAR.
www.bubweb.com & www.momenttoponder.com
User avatar
bub
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 3396
Joined: Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:06 pm
Location: Greater Nashvegas

Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:27 am

Bub,

In a year or so will I still be happy w/the analog and be wishing I got the digital? If I can save $30 great. But........

If you had the $$, which one would be your choice?
big_fat_bald_german_butt
 
Posts: 155
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:18 am
Location: Columbus, OH

Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:54 am

I purchased the two stage controller from B3 a while back and used it this summer. It works great, you can really dial in the temperature with it. If it were me and the $30 wasn't a determining factor, I would get the digital.

BTW way my buddy picked up a Sanyo Kegerator ($600) at a yard sale for $100. We are planning the next brews to try it out!

JC
Sláinte (to your health) and Guid forder!" (good luck)

"I love Jesus, but I drink a little." - Gladys Hardy

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with fools" - Hemmingway

"Rat Pad!"
User avatar
johnc66
 
Posts: 623
Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:23 pm
Location: Clayton, NC

Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:35 am

I've been using the analog controller for a couple of years now, 2 of them actually. The biggest problem with them is that the temperature scale on them is not very accurate, you need to have an independent way of monitoring the actual temperature. I happened to have around a couple of indoor/outdoor thermometers, so I just stick the outdoor probe inside with the controller probe.

If you have to go out and buy a separate thermometer for the analog controller, just buy the digital controller instead. Your cost savings will be eaten up by the cost of the thermometer.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company
Bugeater Brewing Company
http://www.lincolnlagers.com
User avatar
Bugeater
 
Posts: 5789
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:19 pm
Location: River City

Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:41 am

Get the digital. I have the analog and would so much rather have the digital. The major downside to the analog in my mind is having to be so damn careful with the copper coil. That thing is gas filled and if you bend it too much it will break and then your whole controller is useless.

Travis
A very silly place... http://yarnzombie.net/Travis/

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.
-Dave Barry
User avatar
Lufah
 
Posts: 1945
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:58 pm
Location: Mt. Vernon, OH

Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:29 pm

Didn't check the price on B3 for the price but you can get an unwired digital for $60, plus another $6-$10 to wire it, or $75 wired.

On the other hand, I use an analog for my keggerator and it works fine. Wouldn't use on for fermenting though. And nothing against B2, I spend a lot of money with them, just can get the controllers cheaper elsewhere.
-I live in my own little world. But that's okay because they know me there.
-Even if alcohol does kill off brain cells, we all know alcohol goes for the slower, weaker ones first -- making your brain more sleek and efficient.
User avatar
numsquat
 
Posts: 446
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 5:57 pm

Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:45 pm

Here is another option I am looking at getting I want to get a couple for my kegerator and ferment fridge. I was actually thinking of cutting a hole in the door of my ferment fridge. Actually in the freezer door part and cut a hole in the top of the door and run the wires on top of the fridge. Yes these will need to be wired but these are cheap and have more features than the ranco and others out there. http://tinyurl.com/2vjhj6
The only soldier in the BN ARMY with Ink on his legs promoting The Brewing network and BN ARMY. Prost

"The BNA is my therapist." Mickp
User avatar
Henning1966
 
Posts: 1451
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:59 am
Location: salina kansas

Next

Return to Brewing Equipment

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

A BIT ABOUT US

The Brewing Network is a multimedia resource for brewers and beer lovers. Since 2005, we have been the leader in craft beer entertainment and information with live beer radio, podcasts, video, events and more.