[flbrewer]

Finally picked up a chest freezer  and looking online it seems that all of the major homebrew retailers modify the temp. controllers and install plugs, cords, etc. aftermarket. For example I see a Ranco dual stage that looks like the retailer has rigged a double receptacle on it.

Is this standard? Can I purchase something already done by the manufacturer?

I'm looking at the Ranco single and dual stage.

[duboman]

Yes there are units you can buy that will both heat and cool with 2 plugs to attach a heating element was well as the freezer itself for cooling. Sorry I'm mobile or I'd attach links.

You may be looking at the ones that get directly wired causing the confusion.

You can also get an STC1000 and do a DIY, they're cheap but require a small build project. You Tube has video instructions for the build and the whole deal costs about $30 and works great!

[Pinski]

Finally picked up a chest freezer  and looking online it seems that all of the major homebrew retailers modify the temp. controllers and install plugs, cords, etc. aftermarket. For example I see a Ranco dual stage that looks like the retailer has rigged a double receptacle on it.

Is this standard? Can I purchase something already done by the manufacturer?

I'm looking at the Ranco single and dual stage.

You can order a dual stage Ranco controller ready to plug and play from MoreBeer for $149
http://www.morebeer.com/category/fermentation-temperature-control.html

[denny]

I love my Auber TD100.  About half the price of a Ranco, more featurs, no wiring.

[smkranz]

I have purchased two single-stage Ranco controllers, pre-wired, from here:

http://www.etcsupply.com/etc-prewired-c-38.html?osCsid=5d30a18abff8533346260771736289cc

The last one I purchased was only a couple months ago.  It was $16 less than morebeer (even after you add shipping).  I still probably would have purchased it from morebeer had they not been out of stock at the time.  ETC Supply is very fast to ship.

[klickitat jim]

I have two of the rancos wired by morebeer, they work great. But four of what denny has for the same price would be better. Probably about twice as better. But denny didn't buy it until I was no longer in the market.

[norcaljp]

I'm using an STC-1000 that was flashed with the STC-1000+ firmware.  I picked mine up from blackboxbrew.com. For the price it has amazing features. It has up to 6 profiles I can preset, controls heating and cooling, ramp up/down feature. You can buy a prebuilt controller unit from them, but they don't seem to come up for sale too often. I picked up just the stc-1000 from him and built the rest myself with about $10 worth of parts. It's a little complicated to use, but once you get your profiles setup it's a set it and forget it type of deal.

[Rattlesnake44]

I too, have a Ranco dual controller I bought prewired from morebeer. Simple. Effective. Still working a year later.

[flbrewer]

Still working a year later.

One would hope!

[flbrewer]

I love my Auber TD100.  About half the price of a Ranco, more featurs, no wiring.

Thanks Denny, going with this ^ one.