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  • Fermentation chamber

    Hi

    I am thinking of building a fermenter chamber for cooling and heating.
    It will cater for 2 fermenters and about 100 440ml / 60 750ml bottles. Approx dimensions (1m X 0.7m X 0.7m)
    Max cost should be no more than R2000.
    Thinking of using light bulbs for heating or some type of heater / heating pad ?.
    For cooling a thermoelectric peltier refrigeration cooling kit from communica (http://www.communica.co.za/Catalog/Details/P3265877730). However this unit uses 12V. This being the case it would be simpler to have everything working from 12V.
    I see the STC-1000 temperature controller is a 220V unit.
    Anyone know of a 12V temperature controller that can control cooling and heating ?.
    Any other generel input will be welcome.


    Everyone must beleive in something, I beleive I'll have another beer

  • #2
    Originally posted by BeerHolic View Post
    Hi

    I am thinking of building a fermenter chamber for cooling and heating.
    It will cater for 2 fermenters and about 100 440ml / 60 750ml bottles. Approx dimensions (1m X 0.7m X 0.7m)
    Max cost should be no more than R2000.
    Thinking of using light bulbs for heating or some type of heater / heating pad ?.
    For cooling a thermoelectric peltier refrigeration cooling kit from communica (http://www.communica.co.za/Catalog/Details/P3265877730). However this unit uses 12V. This being the case it would be simpler to have everything working from 12V.
    I see the STC-1000 temperature controller is a 220V unit.
    Anyone know of a 12V temperature controller that can control cooling and heating ?.
    Any other generel input will be welcome.

    And old fridge or chest freezer with a controller will work better. Peltier modules are quite "meh", and more built for stuff like in-car cooler boxes and not really long-term use like you're planning.

    Comment


    • #3
      210 liter chest freezer R1000 (Gumtree or free if you use grandma’s )
      Themostat R150

      Wife’s desk lamp Free

      Fermentation and lagering chamber done R1150




      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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      • #4
        +1 ... That thermoelectric peltier kit from communica is good enough to cool a box made for a case of beers

        Had a mini-fridge with one of those setups ... struggled to keep beer cold ... i'd say it made more for wine-coolers
        The Problem With The World Is That Everyone Is A Few Drinks Behind.!

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by BeerHolic View Post
          Hi

          I am thinking of building a fermenter chamber for cooling and heating.
          It will cater for 2 fermenters and about 100 440ml / 60 750ml bottles. Approx dimensions (1m X 0.7m X 0.7m)
          Max cost should be no more than R2000.
          Thinking of using light bulbs for heating or some type of heater / heating pad ?.
          For cooling a thermoelectric peltier refrigeration cooling kit from communica (http://www.communica.co.za/Catalog/Details/P3265877730). However this unit uses 12V. This being the case it would be simpler to have everything working from 12V.
          I see the STC-1000 temperature controller is a 220V unit.
          Anyone know of a 12V temperature controller that can control cooling and heating ?.
          Any other generel input will be welcome.

          Hi Beerholic,
          My cabinet is about 500x600x700 which I use for fermentation of one 25l bucket at a time. I bolted the Peltier 'lid' from a 50w Thermo cooler box to the side of the cabinet. It does the job but in the peak for summer the unit runs almost continuously. I think the communica 60w unit would struggle with your size, especially loading in 100 warm bottles. My lamp setup however, works a charm. I actually had to hunt down a lowest possible wattage bulb as the temps would spike otherwise
          Langchop
          Senior Member
          Last edited by Langchop; 9 July 2018, 17:21. Reason: Type apnea
          Cheers,
          Lang
          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          "Dudddde...Hold my beer!".... ; "I wonder what will happen if I ...."

          Comment


          • #6
            Oh, and STC1000 is available in 12v. Most HBS just keep the 220v tho. Try bidorbuy as a starting point, but those are usually imported at your risk, albeit often cheaper.
            Cheers,
            Lang
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            "Dudddde...Hold my beer!".... ; "I wonder what will happen if I ...."

            Comment


            • #7
              Another place that sells stc "like" stuff is https://za.rs-online.com/web/

              Have a look!

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              • #8
                Old freezer... brewcraft dual temp controller... 2 x reptile pads... duct tape and perfect heat or cold temp control...

                Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

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                • #9
                  ^ Nice little freezer that

                  .... and welcome to the forums
                  The Problem With The World Is That Everyone Is A Few Drinks Behind.!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks

                    I agree after fiurther serearch thye peltier will not work for may size. Back to drawing board.
                    The reason for a fermentation chamber and not fredge is optimazation of space. I will only be doing ales so do not really need temps below 20 celcius.
                    Everyone must beleive in something, I beleive I'll have another beer

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                    • #11
                      ^ dronk vingers?
                      The Problem With The World Is That Everyone Is A Few Drinks Behind.!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        A lot has changed since July.
                        Below is my new fermentation chamber. Just waiting for the wife to empty today.
                        Mybe one side a kegerator ? (still contemplating the keg route).
                        Suppose I will need a temp controller, the STC 1000 seems to be the most popular, or is there anything else that may be better ?.
                        What would be the best for heating, light bulb, heating pad ?.
                        Ha, now I think I am going to brew a lager in the near future, never done one.
                        Fridge1.jpg
                        Everyone must beleive in something, I beleive I'll have another beer

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                        • #13
                          Hey beer, i like a heating belt, i had a heat pad but prefer the belt. I use a mangrove jack dual temperature controller it hasn't let me down. What I normally do is put the fridge on a relatively low setting then I set the heat belt to the controller temp, i.e. fridge will cool it then belt heats it then fridge cools etc, can keep temp stable within 0.5 deg c

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                          • #14
                            Thanks Tmartins

                            I assume you put the heat belt around the fermentor ?. If so where is the temp controllers temp sensor located ?. I must admit I am a bit confused, so on the heat belt you can set temp (never seen or used heat belt).
                            Out of interrest why do you prefer the heat belt above the heat pad ?. I was orriginally thinking of getting a heat pad. Scratched the light bulb as it takes to much space.
                            Everyone must beleive in something, I beleive I'll have another beer

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by BeerHolic View Post
                              Scratched the light bulb as it takes to much space.

                              What!? How small isnt your fridge?
                              Cheers,
                              Lang
                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                              "Dudddde...Hold my beer!".... ; "I wonder what will happen if I ...."

                              Comment

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