[hospter81]

Hello, i will buy a 2 bbl jacketed fermenter soon and i am looking for a glycol chiller to control my ales and lagers fermentations and allow me to do a cold crash...

searching on internet there are a lot of pretty expensive models with 220V power (i just want a 115V model) and i think all of them exceed the needs of refrigeration

i found a nice cheap chiller on morebeer: http://www.morebeer.com/products/glycol-system-2.html?site_id=5

Can anybody give an advice? someone already have it? is that model the correct size for a 2 bbl jacketed fermenter? (the jacket capacity of approximately 3 gallon)

thanks guys!

[a10t2]

For just one 2 bbl fermenter, that would be serious overkill (and seriously over-priced, FWIW). I've run three 7 bbl fermenters on a 3/4 hp unit and it's marginal but it works. I'd look into either a modified window AC unit or a much smaller "power pack" type chiller.

https://byo.com/stories/item/1877-build-your-own-glycol-fermenter
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/glycol-pid-MMPP4300-ICE.html

Foxx has some inexpensive Chinese units, but it doesn't look like they stock anything that small.

[Jimmy K]

I've been looking at these, designed for hydroponic systems but chilling is chilling.
 
This one is <$300 and says it will chill 13 gallons up to 30 degrees below ambient. I think it would be powerful enough, at least for ales. And lagers if the conical is not in a hot area (garage). ~1000 BTU
http://www.vminnovations.com/Product_18975/AACH10-HYDROFARM-Active-Aqua-Chiller-Refrigeration-Unit-1-10-HP-w-LCD-Display.html
 
This is a step up for just over $400. ~2300 BTU
http://www.vminnovations.com/Product_45558/Hydrofarm-AACH25-Active-Aqua-Chiller-Refrigeration-Unit-1-4-HP-w-LCD-Display.html
 
Since they are designed for hydroponic systems, I'd assume that the ratings are for basically uninsulated systems. A well insulated conical might perform even better.
 

[kylekohlmorgen]

You could also use a keg of water with a sump pump in a recirc loop.

Just stash the keg in your kegorator, run hoses, and use the temp controller to turn sump pump on/off. Limited DIY, pragmatic (all things considered), and inexpensive.