Beer Forum

here's my problem, My fermentation freezer is outside in the back porch. I used to keep the serving beer out there and the fermenting beer inside for better temp control. But since I brew outside and drink inside I'd really kike to switch it. It would make my brewday much easier too. My problem is it's getting that time of the year when it can get up to the 90's during the day. No problem I've got my little temp controller. But later the nights will get much cooler down to freezing. (I've had my beer lines freeze a few times) and the days will still be warm -you gotta love the south. I remember seeing online somewhere a guy had his set up with adual controller or 2 controllers. One had a light bulb for warmth and the other to the cooling unit. Anybody tried this?

What you are describing is a two-stage temp controller. One stage controls the cooling appliance and the other controls the heating appliance. I use one with my fermentation fridge. The fridge is plugged into the cooling circuit and a Fermwrap heater (that stays in the fridge compartment, obviously) is plugged into the heating circuit. Works great and provides pinpoint temperature control.



http://morebeer.com/view_product/16664/ ... er_-_Wired

Using the dual temp control and a heat bulb, like from a terrarium works pretty well.. I'm not sure if a regular light bulb would help maintain the temps ya need

FWIW, I use a reptile heater pad on my two stage ranco. It's like 15 watts or something.


Mylo

Here's my new setup with a Ranco 2 stage. I have a fermwrap taped to the side with electrical tape. The chest freezer is 5 cu ft. I plan to put the probe on the outside of my better bottle and tape some bubble wrap over it to protect from ambient air temp swings.


I haven't tried it out yet, but hope to remedy that this weekend.

look on ebay for the ranco controller. it will be alot cheaper

tom

I use a reptile heater pad (large) on my two stage Love controller.