Temperature control options

[maltbarley]

I was shopping today for a Ranco and noticed that they aren't getting any cheaper. What I did find was that Lux (who makes home HVAC thermostats) now has a plug in thermostat (WIN100). The draw back is that the probe needs to be extended or replaced. A brew blogger has listed his modifications here. I'm thinking that the Brewer's Hardware Probes may work for this but will need a 20k ohm resistor in series to read correctly.

Has anyone looked at these?

[bwarbiany]

What's the price? Oddly I couldn't find it at any of the linked blogs and the link at the Lux site is giving a 404.

[JonGoku]

What's the price? Oddly I couldn't find it at any of the linked blogs and the link at the Lux site is giving a 404.

Currently $35 off of amazon

Edit: Google Lux Win100

[backyard brewer]

Swapping the thermistor like he's talking about will throw the accuracy way off. The output of a thermistor is not linear and has to be run through a algorithm called the Steinhart-Hart model. So, while it might adjust the range, it's going to blow the accuracy all over the place. It would be no better than using one of the cheaper analog controllers.

I'd be happy to extend the cable on one for you Tim, but I wouldn't try a different thermistor.

This is a plot of the output on a thermistor, temp on y resistance on x:

[maltbarley]

I can extend it, that's not an issue. Getting it safely heat-sinked inside a thermowell may be an issue.

[floyd]

Would something like this work??
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Digital-Temper ... 4152e485ac

[backyard brewer]

Would something like this work??
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Digital-Temper ... 4152e485ac

Wow, that's cheap. Looks like it should work. The contacts say they're rated for 220vac/10A.

[maltbarley]

That is cheap. anyone have experience buying from Hong Kong through e-bay?

[backyard brewer]

That is cheap. anyone have experience buying from Hong Kong through e-bay?

Yeah, not from them, but so far it's been positive.

[JonGoku]

Would something like this work??
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Digital-Temper ... 4152e485ac

Wow, that's tempting. What else would be needed to put this to use? Power cord? Something to insulate the probe (guessing not since it's for aquarium use)? I might be in for a couple.

[backyard brewer]

Sent them an email. That unit is in *C which wouldn't be all that convenient. I asked to see what a *F unit would run if it's avail.

[JonGoku]

Sent them an email. That unit is in *C which wouldn't be all that convenient. I asked to see what a *F unit would run if it's avail.

Bet there's an app for that.

Chart for Americans

[maltbarley]

Bet there's an app for that.

I have that app on my phone, it's called a calculator. C = (F - 32)5/9 or F = 5/9C + 32.

[backyard brewer]

Maybe I'm crazy, but about the 3rd time I was looking for a calculator or trying to work my phone to figure out the temp, I'd be wishing I just spent the extra $20 on a Ranco or at least something that reads *F !!