I doubt you’ll regret it Denny. I have a dual-stage Ranco on my fermentation freezer and use a reptile warming bulb for the winter months when I need it warmer. Has worked great for a couple years now. Have fun!
Denny,
What brand/model # freezer did you get?
+1 to the Ranco dual stage. I use a Fermwrap for the heating cycle. Zero complaints.
That’s exactly what I intend to do, Steve. Thanks for the reassurance!
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I have 3 rancos and one Johnson. I am agnostic to either - they are both great, though the Johnson seems to chill below the specified range by a degree or two sometimes.
RE:Thermostat
Remember, it’s a freezer, so the thermostat will probably give you 10 deg at 1 and -10 at the max setting. I set mine around 4. The controller takes over, it won’t work any harder if you set the thermostat higher as the air temp inside will never get below 20 or so (if you have a fan in there). The inside temp can get pretty cold if you have 80 deg beer in there and are trying to cool to 50 or so for lager pitching. Having a fan inside will make the beer cool quicker and keep the inside temp more even. I usually put a thermowell in one of two carboys to maintain the beer temp.
I have 4 Johnson A 419’s and one Ranco controller. I have to say that they are both solid controllers and it’s really the difference between a Ford or a Chevy IMO. You won’t go wrong with either controller. I have to flip the inner terminal tab to switch from cooling to heating with the Johnson but not a big deal. Fermentation temp control is awesome!
It’s gonna be a big change from a tub of water and ice packs!
Well it might not be cheaper, but it sure is easier;)
I got my ranco controllers from PexSupply.
http://www.supplyhouse.com/Ranco-ETC-Controls-1614000
You would still have to wire them. I have both single stage and double stage. I think that single stage is just fine unless you cool and heat in the same day.
Good luck.
No kidding ! I used a water tub with frozen water bottles for years. Actually it works pretty well if you have time to swap out the bottles when needed. That’s a tough thing sometimes though.
I have several Rancos, only one of which is 2-stage. Since the ambient temp in my basement where I have my fridge ferment chamber doesn’t swing much, I generally use a single stage for fermentation, along with a thermowell, to run the fridge in summer, and to power a Fermwrap heater taped to the back of the fridge in winter. And the fridge door normally stays part way open at times during the ferments in winter. Sometimes the temp in the basement is just right so that I can ferment in a spare basement bedroom!
Anyway, I have lost 2 or 3 Rancos, normally during thunder storms so be absolutely sure to use a good surge protector since in my experience the Rancos are pretty sensitive to power fluctuation.
Also, I highly recommend that you reset the Ranco’s temperature so that it is not powering your equipment before powering it off and/or disconnecting it. Another good reason to use a surge protector with an on/off switch, as secondary insurance whenever you have to turn off, or especially if you have to unplug your unit.
If you don’t do this, it is possible that the unit will go into error mode from which it either won’t recover, or will recover partially and be temperamental from that time on.
I don’t set my kegerator chest freezer to on/full, so that in the event my temp controller failed on it, it would take longer to freeze all the beer inside, maybe giving me a bit more time to notice the failed unit before all freezes hard. I like to use electronics, but I also check my temp controllers regularly (when getting my first pour of the day or if in the basement once per day) to ensure they are operating as set and desired.
Also, if using a thermowell, be aware that with the new ones I’ve found on the market, they recommend that you actually sand or slightly shave the Ranco’s probe, otherwise it won’t fit into the thermowell. Guess that’s why I always use my older model thermowell. Go figure!
I dont use a well, I tape a chunk of foam to the side of the fermenter and tuck the thermo in there.
IMHO, that works well for carboys, and I’ve done it many times when using them, with doubled bubble wrap taped over the probe, but I ferment in thick-walled plastic buckets, so use a thermowell.
Denny, you pulled the trigger congrats! Good on you.
I like the dual stage Ranco for my chest freezer with a small “personal” heater on the second plug. Can brew lagers year round with this set up.
Dave
Year round lagers are what I’m really looking forward to, Dave. Ranco should be here Tues., freezer on Wed. The Rye IPA I’m brewing today should be the last one fermented in a bucket of water.
Hey Denny,
I’m curious how many 5-gal carboys it would hold, or what the actual dimensions of width x length x depth are. If you are checking that, please let me know. I know, most people would rather know how many ball lock kegs it would hold, but my interest would be to use it to cold stabilize carboys full of wine.
Maybe you got rid of all your carboys! I’m not smart enough to do that.
thanks, Steve
Steve, I can tell you that it fits two buckets and 5 kegs with room to spare. I’ll check the inside dimensions and let ya know. Here’s what it looks like…