Temperature Controller for Fridge - Fermenting lager

[GerryD]

Hi folks,
I'm been brewing ales now for some time and thoroughly enjoying it - so I think I'm going to move onto lagers.
Does anyone know anything about converting a fridge to an incubator to make lager?
I'm rubbish at electrics and am really just looking for a handy way of controlling temp without having to re-wire a fridge.
I've read you can use these yokes but they're American and I don't know if they'll work as the electric mains in Ireland is different to that in the states. - http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Controls-Digital-Thermostat-Control/dp/B00368D6JA
Any help would be much appreciated.
cheers,
Gerry

[DEMPSEY]

Welcome Gerry get yourself an STC 1000 http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR3.TRC2.A0.H1.XSTC1000&_nkw=stc+1000&_sacat=0&_from=R40 They are cheap as chips and we all use them. You can have a heating side and a cooling side and so set the desired temp for your fermentation and voila

[GerryD]

Thanks Dempsey - is there much wiring to be done with them?

[JimmyM]

A little bit more complicated than wiring a plug - but not too much.

[DEMPSEY]

Here is a cousin of the swveedish chef from the muppets explaining how to do it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30TvX1Zz1-Y

[Cambrinus]

These links might be helpful too..

http://pdtnc.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/hlt-temperature-control/

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30074&start=195

-F

[GerryD]

OK thanks lads
where does the fridge's own internal thermostat come into all this? Do I need to do anything with it - disconnect it, disassemble it - leave it as it is?

[GerryD]

would this thing do the job without all the hassle with wires?
http://www.homebrewbuilder.co.uk/temp%20control.html

[irish_goat]

would this thing do the job without all the hassle with wires?
http://www.homebrewbuilder.co.uk/temp%20control.html

That's the same thing, he's just done the wiring for you.

[GerryD]

Sound. OK thanks lads - I'll have a crack at this wiring so
Cheers

[Cambrinus]

where does the fridge's own internal thermostat come into all this? Do I need to do anything with it - disconnect it, disassemble it - leave it as it is?

If you know what you are doing you can bypass the fridge/ freezer own internal thermostat.
In video below the guy shows you how to that on his fridge. Not sure how that would work on any other fridge...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdmkGIGPXU8

[Will_D]

Using an STC-100 to control a fridge can be either simple or difficult in an 'elfnsafety way!

Easy:
Turn the thermostat down to coldest and see what temp you get. You should get to at least 5C, maybe 4, maybe 3.
This determines the coldest you can get via the fridge thermostat. If this temperature is BELOW what you want to lager at then its easy and safe. Just use the STC-100 to turn the whole fridge on and off.

Difficult:
If the frige 'stat won't go low enough then you need to bypass it. This involves a little bit of rewiring INSIDE the fridge.
You just bypass the stat (with a jumper link). 

Only attempt this if you know what you are doing!!

If not ask for someone local to help out!