Fermenter Control in Winter

[Dutch]

If you typically use a chest freezer for fermenting in a colder environment [in winter] like a cold garage and, if you are using one the of the award-winning solid-state RANCO controllers you might want to consider a simple control change during these times. If you are using supplemental heat [like a heating blanket or even a light bulb] there is a way to take the "C" form contact assembly in the RANCO controller and let it cycle your heating element as well as the cooling element. Simple connect the heating element between the common [neutral] and the NC contact which will yield power to the heating element when the compressor IS NOT calling for cooling. At a minimum you will not run the heating element when cooling is called for.

[Ritchie]

I might give this a try, right now i am using a plug in the wall heater thermostat with a heat source to keep it warm.

Ritchie

[Don]

Ranco does make a two stage controller. The Ranco ETC-211000 is identical to the Ranco ETC-111000 except that this unit is 2 stage, and has 2 relays to control both heating and cooling at the same time or two heating or cooling stages. (The output relay NC and NO ratings are also different from the single stage control).

It cost a bit more than the single stage controller but might be worth it by giving you an deadband (off) stage. That way you won't be always on / off this will give you some energy sayings (as if we brewers care) Heat / off / Cool