car battery pad heater as carboy heater

[dirtbikejunkie]

I am thinking of using a car battery pad heater and a digital temperature controller to control my fermentation.

here is the link to the 60 Watt 5.5"x 8.5", it's $15 on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Kats-22400-Watt-B ... roduct_top

I am assuming if it's safe to sit a battery on then sitting a 6 gallon carboy on it won't be a problem.

My basement stays around 55 degrees all year long, so I only need 5-15 degrees increase.

Anyone see any problems or safety issue with this? They also have models in the 100-150 watt range made to be attached to the side, do you think that would be better/safer option?

[Bruce G]

I use a brew heater pad I bought from Williams. It draws 25 watts and is able to maintain 65 degrees in a 6.5 gallon carboy at a room temp of mid 30's, with a layer of bubble wrap and a towel on the carboy. A hundred watts should be way more than enough.

I have only installed one of those battery heaters on a battery, and installed it on the side, not the bottom of the battery. You might check that is is actually rated for mounting on the bottom of something heavy.