BrewsBySmith Two Stage Controller

[ScrewyBrewer]

My fermentation controller came in on Friday and I have it hooked up in a basic configuration to control a small heater in the fermentation chamber.

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It came with a thermowell and fermwrap that I haven't used yet. It'll control a fridge and a heater at the same time to hold the set point temperature as needed and it displays in Farienhieght or Celsius too.

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More to come but so far I really like this controller.

[Inkleg]

so far I really like this controller.

I totally agree with you on this Vince, I really like the LED light on yours. I have one of the original Black Box controller and LOVE it.

[ScrewyBrewer]

so far I really like this controller.

I totally agree with you on this Vince, I really like the LED light on yours. I have one of the original Black Box controller and LOVE it.

I can hardly believe I'm just finding out about this controller now! How long have you been using yours for, I must have missed this topic?

[ScrewyBrewer]

This morning it was 35F outside, the grass covered with frost and inside the unheated garage it was 60F, having the garage insulated was a smart move.

The display on the controller read 69.8F when I went in the garage to check the fermentation temperature. The 100 watt lightbulb had no problem keeping the two fermentors inside the chamber at one degree plus or minus of the 70F set point overnight.

The digital thermometer sensor taped to the outside of the fermentor and covered with a block of foam read 72.5F, over two degrees warmer than the thermowell sensor temperature.

[DaYooper]

Like you, I picked up the v1.06 version. At the time it was the first Will from The Black Box flashed and even threw in another temperature probe. I believe you need to solder in a resistor to get that to function but it will allow you to have one probe in the ambient of the fermentation chamber and one registering from the vessel so that you do not overshoot your temperature. I havent played with it yet but thought for the same price (and free probe) I couldnt go wrong.

[ScrewyBrewer]

The BrewsBySmith controller I currently have would require another connector to be installed in the box wall to support a second probe, but I haven't had a need to open the controller up to peek inside to see about the resistor. For now I'm using the digital outdoor thermometer and probe I used to use taped to my fermentor to display the ambient temperature.

How are you securing the 32 watt fermwrap heating element to your carboy or fermentor bucket?

[DaYooper]

I just bought the unit from Black Box so I am using a paint can heater. I see they have released another version for $10 more that has the resistor already installed by the factory. I guess I jumped too early. It appears to be a surface mount device so will see if I have the dexterity to pull it off.

[ScrewyBrewer]

I just bought the unit from Black Box so I am using a paint can heater. I see they have released another version for $10 more that has the resistor already installed by the factory. I guess I jumped too early. It appears to be a surface mount device so will see if I have the dexterity to pull it off.

It's been a while since I got my hands dirty tinkering with digital circuit builds but I do remember the introduction of surface mount devices and man they are pretty small. Greg Smith builds the BrewsBySmith controllers and he's a really great guy, he actually improved on Will's original design by incorporating some design ideas of his own. Good luck on making your install for the second probe, for now I'm just using a separate digital outdoor thermometer to read the ambient temperature.

[DaYooper]

I hear ya! I have a friend who thinks he can do it but have been in no real hurry as the features as-is will keep me busy for awhile. I liked Jeff's comment about setting it to run the entire process from ramping to cold crashing. The dual probes are not really to display both temperatures but rather to help with the system's hysteresis to better control overshooting or undershooting of temperatures. Using my paint can heater under a garbage can is not really an issue, but using a fridge or freezer that contains the potential over/under-shot ambient temperature much better could lead to an appreciable over/under-shoot of the wort. Maybe. Possibly....

[ScrewyBrewer]

@DaYooper you seem to understand a lot of the functionality of the STC-1000+ too. Only having a single probe I have to rely on preventing the heat or cold outlets from energizing more frequently than the 5 minute delay will allow. The delay can be modified to increase or decrease the 5 minute default setting as needed to keep the heater or compressor from cycling too often.

[ScrewyBrewer]

Even with an automated temperature controller you want to keep an eye on what's going on inside your fermentation chamber.

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I guess not having brewed a big beer in quite a while I didn't think to hook up a blow off tube before turning in for the night. Luckily first thing in the morning I peaked inside and saw the S-04 yeast had nearly blown the lid right off of the fermentor! Once the blow off tube was connected the Co2 burped, bubbled and hissed for the next three days in a row!

[jimjohson]

there's a party going on in there!

[Kealia]

Good thing you caught it when you did. I forgot all about this thread when I was looking for heating options recently. I just got my STC-1000 in on Friday. My Johnson Controller will be moved to backup duty and I'm anxious to try this bad boy (and the thermowell and fermwrap) out!

[Inkleg]

You're going to enjoy it Ron. Once you have used it few times it becomes second nature. I find it easer to use than a regular STC-1000, in fact I ordered just a flashed STC+ and used it to replace a STC build I had done a few years ago. If you have any questions just ask.

[Kealia]

Will do. I've watched the short two minute video and it seems pretty easy but you know I'm not afraid to ask for helpsies.