STC 1000 copies?

[Brewed_Force]

I am looking to build a brew fridge and will be using a STC1000 temperature controller. Looking online there are many lookalikes available, some as cheap as £7.50 including postage! Are these all the same ie. rebadged or is the Inkbird the kosher model that will be more reliable and dependable?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Inkbird is now a sponsor here, why not send him a PM - http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/member.php?u=15532

 

[Inkbird]

Hi all,inkbird specialized in temperature/humidity control for more than 3 years. We are not a copy but a updated one.

Inkbird ITC-1000 temp controller,all the functions are the same as STC-1000, we have C & F display, while there's just C on STC.

For the price, we do not do the same as some sellers on the markets, which offer lower price but poor quality. Customers satisfaction is our best strive.

Inkbird takes full responsibility for all the items sold and we give 1 year warranty.

 

[Aphid]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere - I couldn't see any references within the forum when I searched.

I am aware that Inkbird is one of the forum sponsors and has a variety of temperature control models suitable for home brewing. That said, many users on the forum use the STC-1000 as their controller of choice. For the latter, you need some sort of box to house both the STC unit and two plug sockets - one for fridge and one for heater. And then, of course, to wire it all together. Haven't priced the total cost of creating a temperature controller this way, yet, though. At the risk of offending a sponsor (apologies, Inkbird, if I have done so!) is there a consensus as to whether one is better than the other?

Clearly the Inkbird 'kit' comes complete whereas the STC-1000 needs additional bits. Maybe the cost of the more expensive Inkbird units balances out the cheaper STC-1000 unit + bits? I am also aware of an Inkbird variation that is just like the STC-1000 here, for example, but that still leaves you having to buy extra bits to complete the set up.

So, STC-1000 plus bits and setting up versus Inkbird ITC-308, for example?

 

[DoctorMick]

Just replied with similar on another thread, a lot of us have stc-1000's because our fridges pre-date the availability of the inkbirds. As you say, with the stc you have to do work yourself. If I was to build another fridge now I'd use an inkbird, I've actually considered replacing the stc with one recently but I'm too lazy!

 

[Aphid]

Just replied with similar on another thread, a lot of us have stc-1000's because our fridges pre-date the availability of the inkbirds. As you say, with the stc you have to do work yourself. If I was to build another fridge now I'd use an inkbird, I've actually considered replacing the stc with one recently but I'm too lazy!

So the STC-1000 was/is an older solution and the Inkbird is a newer solution that does the same, without the DIY? Can Inkbird variations be set to avoid cycling - repetitive heating to chilling and back again. I believe the STC can be set up so there is a lag to stop this?

 

[BarnBrian]

Can I run two brew fridges at the same time on one controller? I realise I'd need a second sensor.

Brian

 

[Bigcol49]

Can I run two brew fridges at the same time on one controller? I realise I'd need a second sensor.

Brian

Hi!
I'm no expert, but I believe that you can't do this.
The controller would be treating the two fridges as one system, ie both heaters on/both fridges off or both heaters off/both fridges on.

 

[Bigjas]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere - I couldn't see any references within the forum when I searched.

I am aware that Inkbird is one of the forum sponsors and has a variety of temperature control models suitable for home brewing. That said, many users on the forum use the STC-1000 as their controller of choice. For the latter, you need some sort of box to house both the STC unit and two plug sockets - one for fridge and one for heater. And then, of course, to wire it all together. Haven't priced the total cost of creating a temperature controller this way, yet, though. At the risk of offending a sponsor (apologies, Inkbird, if I have done so!) is there a consensus as to whether one is better than the other?

Clearly the Inkbird 'kit' comes complete whereas the STC-1000 needs additional bits. Maybe the cost of the more expensive Inkbird units balances out the cheaper STC-1000 unit + bits? I am also aware of an Inkbird variation that is just like the STC-1000 here, for example, but that still leaves you having to buy extra bits to complete the set up.

So, STC-1000 plus bits and setting up versus Inkbird ITC-308, for example?

I have both an Inkbird 308 and an ITC - 1000. I think the ITC is exactly the same as a STC? there seems to be a few companies selling the same thing? I built my ITC-1000 and it works very well, very similar to the 308. You can see how I built mine here http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=65983

If you don't like DIY, then buy the Inkbird 308. You just plug it in and it works once you set your own parameters. The ITC is great if you like making things (I do) and you can personalize it to how you want it. I made mine with long trailing leads for the heater and fridge. My next project is to hard wire one in to my fermenting fridge and install the ITC in the door......

 

[Blinky]

I made one myself - but I would not hesitate to buy the Inkbird one if i was doing it again. By the time you buy mains sockets, a plug, wire, a box etc I would think the inkbird comes in at or lower than the cost of doing it yourself. Of course you may be into Electronics and have some stuff lying around but the fact that theirs is properly build and guaranteed for me makes it a no brainer!

 

[Aphid]

I have both an Inkbird 308 and an ITC - 1000. I think the ITC is exactly the same as a STC? there seems to be a few companies selling the same thing? I built my ITC-1000 and it works very well, very similar to the 308. You can see how I built mine here http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=65983

If you don't like DIY, then buy the Inkbird 308. You just plug it in and it works once you set your own parameters. The ITC is great if you like making things (I do) and you can personalize it to how you want it. I made mine with long trailing leads for the heater and fridge. My next project is to hard wire one in to my fermenting fridge and install the ITC in the door......

I don't mind the DIY aspect - could be fun! But if the Inkbird comes complete at a similar end price then I see no point. As long as the Inkbird can be programmed to
build in a lag to avoid cycling - fridge on, heater on, etc. Not established if this can be done with the Inkbird yet. Can it?

 

[Aphid]

I made one myself - but I would not hesitate to buy the Inkbird one if i was doing it again. By the time you buy mains sockets, a plug, wire, a box etc I would think the inkbird comes in at or lower than the cost of doing it yourself. Of course you may be into Electronics and have some stuff lying around but the fact that theirs is properly build and guaranteed for me makes it a no brainer!

My thoughts entirely. It only makes sense to me to do the DIY if the cost saving justifies. After a quick bit of maths it didn't seem so.

 

[Rogermort]

Hi all,inkbird specialized in temperature/humidity control for more than 3 years. We are not a copy but a updated one.

Inkbird ITC-1000 temp controller,all the functions are the same as STC-1000, we have C & F display, while there's just C on STC.

For the price, we do not do the same as some sellers on the markets, which offer lower price but poor quality. Customers satisfaction is our best strive.

Inkbird takes full responsibility for all the items sold and we give 1 year warranty.

I need an STC1000 (or Inkbird version) for a second brew fridge. Is the required cut out/form factor exactly the same? Only I've already done my jigsawy pokery.

 

[Jonesie71]

Omg, just read this thread and learned there is an inkbird 308 fully prebuilt controller online for £29.99 after I literally just put the last screw in my project box (itc 1000) having spent about £45 and a full day getting the parts and building it. Doh! Let's hope my amateur electrical skills are up to the job!

 

[Banbeer]

Yeah I did the exact same thing for my third brew fridge, bought the cables, project box But I did buy the Elitech stc-1000 which was higher priced as I've had one of those for around 8 years now and no problems(other none brands have perished)
But do you know I find a satisfaction of building something like that better than buying off the shelf and saving some money

 

[BeerCat]

Omg, just read this thread and learned there is an inkbird 308 fully prebuilt controller online for £29.99 after I literally just put the last screw in my project box (itc 1000) having spent about £45 and a full day getting the parts and building it. Doh! Let's hope my amateur electrical skills are up to the job!

They cost me £20 to build but the inkbird works great as well.

 

[stevey]

I have 2 inkbird 308's (one of which I won on this forum). They truly are plug and play, simple and reliable to use. The older one, I have had for about 3 years, no problems whatsoever. I believe they are quite accurate also.
You can't go wrong at the price, and no complicated wiring to set up either.