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Author Topic: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor  (Read 2608 times)

Offline flbrewer

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Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« on: April 07, 2015, 09:47:09 am »
Any best practices? I've read about wrapping in a thin towel, bubble wrap, etc. I'm using a Speidel fermenter and would like to place the sensor on the side of the fermenter.


Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 09:55:40 am »
Any best practices? I've read about wrapping in a thin towel, bubble wrap, etc. I'm using a Speidel fermenter and would like to place the sensor on the side of the fermenter.
I taped it to the side of the bucket with paper towel insulation a coupel times then just got tired of removing, adjusting, and having it fall off I went back to having it hanging near the fermenters. I keep my set point a couple degrees below my target to account for yeast activity and it seems to work pretty well.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 09:55:54 am »
I like the bubble wrap technique when I don't use a thermowell.

Offline flbrewer

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2015, 10:01:55 am »
So are you wrapping the probe in the bubble wrap? I would think the probe would be best utilized touching the fermenter.

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2015, 10:13:16 am »
So are you wrapping the probe in the bubble wrap? I would think the probe would be best utilized touching the fermenter.

the probe touched the fermenter, tape or strap bubble wrap over it to hold it against the side and insulate it from the air temp somewhat.
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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2015, 10:16:28 am »
So are you wrapping the probe in the bubble wrap? I would think the probe would be best utilized touching the fermenter.

the probe touched the fermenter, tape or strap bubble wrap over it to hold it against the side and insulate it from the air temp somewhat.
Got it, thanks.

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2015, 10:17:03 am »
So are you wrapping the probe in the bubble wrap? I would think the probe would be best utilized touching the fermenter.

the probe touched the fermenter, tape or strap bubble wrap over it to hold it against the side and insulate it from the air temp somewhat.

+1.  What I do.
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Offline denny

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2015, 11:15:09 am »
Any best practices? I've read about wrapping in a thin towel, bubble wrap, etc. I'm using a Speidel fermenter and would like to place the sensor on the side of the fermenter.

I put an old sponge over the probe and duct tape it to the fermenter.  Primitve and effective.
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Offline duboman

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2015, 11:29:43 am »
I use a square of the rigid insulation, cut groove in it facing the primary, bungee it and slide the probe into the groove, very accurate readings
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Offline norcaljp

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2015, 12:18:58 pm »
I use some styrofoam. I just saved a chunk from the last big item we bought for my kids and cut chunks off when I need it? I used a drill bit to carve a small groove out by hand that will almost but not quite fully fit the temp probe so the probe will touch the fermenter.  Works well and allows me to reuse something before recycling it. I use the same technique for my kegs and fermenters.

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Offline euge

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2015, 12:29:37 pm »
Mine are taped to styrofoam and the other side faces the wall. A computer case-fan wired up to an old phone charger runs constantly circulating the air. I have not found the need to place the probe against the fermenter even at the peak of fermentation. I have tried it both ways, measuring the temp of the beer and surrounding air and it has been the same with my analog and digital controllers.

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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2015, 05:50:02 pm »
I've been testing w. a piece of bubble tape today and I seem to be chasing the temp. all over the place.

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2015, 07:04:28 pm »
I use a chunk of blue yoga mat held on with blue painters tape. Its a blue thing.

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2015, 06:13:11 am »
how cold is it there right now? or ever really? I'm not sure you need the heat and it sounds like it's making in more complicated than it needs to be. what if you just use the cooling side?
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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Mounting Temp. Control Sensor
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2015, 06:20:49 am »
I'm not really using the heat side. Nothing plugged in and now I have it set much lower so effectively that will never kick on.