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I want to increase my brewing output. At the moment I use fridge section of a fridge/freezer the motor is never used, just a 18W demo heating tile. It works well 40 pints every three weeks. But in summer I have to stop as heat controller with either heat or cool not both at the same time.
So second controller this time a STC 1000 that will heat and cool giving the option of summer brewing, but also double winter output.
Now the freezer compartment is smaller then the fridge plus it has a step where the motor is bottom draw was not as deep as the rest. So no flat bottom so Meccano will have to come out to fill the space, and in that space I will need a heater of some type.
Looked at reptile heating mats 11" x 11" at 12W seems about right, but it states “These heat mats use Ultra Long Wavelength Infrared emitted from the printed carbon.” So not so sure if the heat will transfer OK into the plastic fermentor. Other option is a simple bulb, but how much of the power put into a bulb is turned into heat?
Would 2 x 30W in series be better than a 15W? If it gives off light does that mean a reduction in heat. Is the heat infrared from a simple bulb if so will it heat the fermentor as well as an other type. I have considered all sorts including an aquarium heater in the old bottom draw filled with water.
Do not want to go too large with heater as over shoot is a problem. Even with 18W sensing the side of fermentor insulated with a car cleaning sponge I can get a 2~3°C over shoot if start temperature is 2°C low to start with.
Sent for STC 1000, but rest in design stage so ideas on heating. I will guess less heat loss from freezer than fridge, and 18W is too big for fridge may only need 10W so any ideas?
So second controller this time a STC 1000 that will heat and cool giving the option of summer brewing, but also double winter output.
Now the freezer compartment is smaller then the fridge plus it has a step where the motor is bottom draw was not as deep as the rest. So no flat bottom so Meccano will have to come out to fill the space, and in that space I will need a heater of some type.
Looked at reptile heating mats 11" x 11" at 12W seems about right, but it states “These heat mats use Ultra Long Wavelength Infrared emitted from the printed carbon.” So not so sure if the heat will transfer OK into the plastic fermentor. Other option is a simple bulb, but how much of the power put into a bulb is turned into heat?
Would 2 x 30W in series be better than a 15W? If it gives off light does that mean a reduction in heat. Is the heat infrared from a simple bulb if so will it heat the fermentor as well as an other type. I have considered all sorts including an aquarium heater in the old bottom draw filled with water.
Do not want to go too large with heater as over shoot is a problem. Even with 18W sensing the side of fermentor insulated with a car cleaning sponge I can get a 2~3°C over shoot if start temperature is 2°C low to start with.
Sent for STC 1000, but rest in design stage so ideas on heating. I will guess less heat loss from freezer than fridge, and 18W is too big for fridge may only need 10W so any ideas?