Reckon the cold side of my brewing is letting me down a bit so I was looking to get a few of theses. Anyone have any recommendations - e.g. recommendations for specific ebay sellers etc.
If you want it quick go for a UK supplier. If you can wait a few weeks go for a Chinese supplier, you'll save a few penny's.
Make sure the stc can heat AND cool. Just look at the wiring diagram; it will show 4 pins on the right hand side if it can do both. It will only have 2 pins if it can only heat OR cool.
Most stc's are 10amp. This will be fine if you are using it for fermentation control. But if you plan to control a heating element with it (in your hlt), you should try get a 30 amp one.
Happy shopping :P
Hi Garry
Thanks for the response on the STCs. I knew about the WillHi's but not how to spot them, so thanks for that!
Do you think I'd need Parcel Motel to get them from the UK? It seems a few of the amazon / ebay resellers I'd looked at only ship to UK.
Also, I'd heard some folks are getting caught for duty etc on stuff coming in from China. Is that worth worrying about?
Love the mash paddle by the way!
I never got charged tax on items from China.
If you have the cash and don't want to wire them up you can go with homebrew builder.co.UK top class temp controllers with sockets in enclosure ect.
I got builders one and when confidence was high lol copied its build.
My 2 cents
I just had a look on ebay.co.uk. The UK suppliers are looking for silly money to ship here. I don't understand why, the STC is a tiny package!
Here's (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/STC-1000-Termostato-Digital-Acuario-Sonda-Regulador-Temperatura-Controlador-220V-/351018374195?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item51ba535433) the cheapest one I can see at the moment. Or else parcel motel.
Don't worry about the duty from China. I think it only applies to items over €22. They tend to mark down the value of the package so you don't get stung!
I got two from HK or China, and they took a week or two, but not too long, and were fairly cheap. I probably have a spare one if you want it, and we can get John RM to do a little workshop on how to get them up and running, as I'm not very good with wiring.
i bought mine from this ebay shop (http://www.ebay.ie/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_osacat=0&_armrs=1&_ssn=elin.ou&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=stc1000&_sacat=0&_from=R40), it was cheap and only took about a week to get to me
I bought this one yesterday from china. I'll update when it arrives to give an idea of shipping time.. Cheapest one i saw and free shipping. I'm not in a big hurry though.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220V-10A-STC-1000-Mini-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-Aquarium-/281076780122?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:IE:3160
When ordering from China you can get lucky. You could get it in a week but it could also take 4 - 5 weeks. They ship in batches, so if you're lucky enough to order near they're shipping date you'll get it sooner. They claim to give you a refund if it's longer than 31 days.
Just looked at LE's link, that's the seller I bought off too. I couldn't find them this morning!
now i want another... :-\
There is another brand called WILLHI. You get them in china too but which ever model your buying make sure they do not send you a 110V model. I have 4 STC-1000 and they are fine and decided to order a WILLHI which I still have in the box but on the box there is a black marker tick on the 110V box. :(
Fireworks in the Dempsey household!