Brew Fridge - What type of heater

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
I only have the heater and temperature sensor wires going into my fridge - I'm not convinced a fan is necessary. I stripped the outer sheathing from the heater flex and taped the wires to the fridge so that the door seal closes over them.
Have you considered running a two-way extension socket into the fridge through the drain hole, then plugging the heater and fan into that. The only down side is that the fan only operates when the heater is on (but, after all, that's what you are trying to achieve - no "hot spot" on the FV).

 

[Leon103]

No I haven't considered that. Just realised the heater plug is sealed so may have to rethink my plans.

Edit

Just re-read your post. I can't get any thing through the drain hole, it's covered from behind

 

[Leon103]

I could get to the drain hole after all, going to put a two plug gang socket inside the fridge. Don't have one so spare so will pick one up in the week. Stole and heater complete there. But of a botch job but should last

 

[ManseMasher]

Hi!
I only have the heater and temperature sensor wires going into my fridge - I'm not convinced a fan is necessary. I stripped the outer sheathing from the heater flex and taped the wires to the fridge so that the door seal closes over them.
Have you considered running a two-way extension socket into the fridge through the drain hole, then plugging the heater and fan into that. The only down side is that the fan only operates when the heater is on (but, after all, that's what you are trying to achieve - no "hot spot" on the FV).

IMHO a fan makes quite a difference - having the warm air circulating ensures as much as possible even heat distribution. Especially if the heater is below the shelf the fv is sitting on, as mine is.

 

[Leon103]

Going to try putting the fan together later, queue loads of questions.

Fan as red, black and yellow and charger as black and white leads. Which goes where?

 

[Leon103]

Will try and get my build finished tonight. Fan has been put together. Where is the fridge would be best to put it?
Stupid question but if for example I am fermenting at 18c do I need to plug the fridge into the itc?

 

[joiner_8]

I plug both fridge and tube heater into the St 1000 temperature controller it works fine without a fan have brewed several batches all turned out currently conditioning St peters ruby ale

 

[ManseMasher]

Will try and get my build finished tonight. Fan has been put together. Where is the fridge would be best to put it?
Stupid question but if for example I am fermenting at 18c do I need to plug the fridge into the itc?

My fan sits next to my heat source, blowing across it. Yes, plug your fridge into the ITC mate. Heater will come on if too cold, fridge will come on if too hot.

 

[Leon103]

Ok thanks. Is 1 low temp or high temp on fridge. Photos to follow once finished

 

[ManseMasher]

Not sure if 1 is low or high mate. TBH I don't think it will matter much, the fridge will only be on long enough to keep within your specified temperature range. Looking forward to the pics!

 

[Leon103]

It is nothing special lol. Pulled apart my first shelve build

 

[Twostage]

Ok thanks. Is 1 low temp or high temp on fridge. Photos to follow once finished

1 is lowest setting i.e. warmest. Whack it on the maximum setting then the controller is in charge, particularly if you are going to cold crash.

As others have said fan blowing across the heat source. The even distribution of air means the positioning of the sensor is less critical. It will also circulate the heat generated by the brew so on constant is best if you can arrange it.

(is the fan essential ? No, but its a worthwhile improvement in my opinion. I've got two in mine - one for each temperature 'source').

 

[Leon103]

All done will jump on my pc and upload some images in a bit. Just need to work out how to set up the itc

 

[Leon103]

All complete.

Just need to work out where to stick to sensor, or and find some tape that actually sticks to the fridge. I need to tape up the drain hole because I pulled all the casing off to get the leads in.

First job for the fridge will be fermenting a brew I plan to make on Sunday. Anyone know the best way to setup the ITC 308?

 

[Simonh82]

Good job!

It is definitely worth plugging the fridge in. My last brew was really kicking out quite a bit of heat and the fridge had to switch on fairly regularly to get it to stay at 18oC.

I usually tweak the temp settings after active fermentation is over. When it is going full belt the temp is set to 17.5 with heating and cooling kicking in about a degree either side of this.

When fermentation subsided I put the temp up to 20oC and have the heater kick on about 0.5 degrees below this to encourage full attenuation.

This is when measuring the ambient temperature as recommended by Twostage.

 

[Leon103]

I guess that is where hd and cd come in to play on the itc

 

[joiner_8]

Hi I made a brew fridge some time ago with an st-1000 temperature controller I have brewed several gallons of wine without any problems I have just finished brewing a St Peters ruby ale which I had going for about two and a half weeks.
I am not at the conditioning stage and finding the there is a 1 or 2 DegC difference in temperature between the bottom shelf and the top shelf, has anybody else had this problem and how did you solve it.
I was considering buying a 240 V pc cooling fan to circulate the air do you think this would help and if so where is the best place to position the fan, my 60 W tube heater is at the bottom of the fridge
Ps I will add some photos of my setup later

 

[ManseMasher]

Hi I made a brew fridge some time ago with an st-1000 temperature controller I have brewed several gallons of wine without any problems I have just finished brewing a St Peters ruby ale which I had going for about two and a half weeks.
I am not at the conditioning stage and finding the there is a 1 or 2 DegC difference in temperature between the bottom shelf and the top shelf, has anybody else had this problem and how did you solve it.
I was considering buying a 240 V pc cooling fan to circulate the air do you think this would help and if so where is the best place to position the fan, my 60 W tube heater is at the bottom of the fridge

I think most pc fans are 12v. Mine certainly are. As for where to position it - mine is at the same level as my heater, blowing across it. I am positive it helps!

 

[Leon103]

Manse any tips with the hd and cd on the inkbird?

 

[ManseMasher]

Hang on I'll dig out the manual....