HomebrewandBeer.com forum

Hi,

Im still new to this forum and I have found info on here about this unit but im not sure if this is the exact one that everyone has been talking about.

Here is the link http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-220V-All-purpose-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Sensor-STC-1000-10A-/320822772478?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item4ab28702fe#ht_4918wt_1163

Just a few questions about this product.

1. Is it compatible with Australian Power, it states 220V +-10% so I just assume that it does.
2. The temperature probe that it comes with, is it up to the task of correctly sensing the temp or should I purchase a replacement?
That leads me to question....
3. Where can I purchase a better sensor that is compatible with this unit? Is this one going to be better or is it too hard to calibrate it to the STC-1000 http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350522575400&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_2495wt_1163
4. What size junction box should I get that is going to be sufficient to house it and the cabling?


If someone could help me out that would be great.

Cheers
Aydan

Looks like It's the same one I have. I think it is the only model available.

1. Yes. It should be fine.

2. I've never had any reason to doubt mine. You could chec it against a known temperature or precise thermometer if you have any doubt.

3. Don't know. Never looed into it.

4. 150w x 200d x 75h (mm's) will be ample.

Ok too easy, is that the same junction box that you used yourself?

That box is bigger than mine. Mine was on the smallish side.

Ok cool well I will look into getting one around that size then. Cheers for that, looks like it is off to an electrical store to see what I can buy!

Aus supply is now 230V +- 10%- Not 240 anymore however a majority of the time you will have 240. Supply will be fine for 220V. Temp probe does not really need to be that accurate as 20 odd Litres of beer doesnt change temp very quickly. As long as you set your temp at about 2 degrees lower than the brew temp you want and have a 4 degree hysteresis you should be fine. you can adjust accordingly to find the sweet spot

That's not entirely correct as everyones set-up, fridge - freezer space, probe location will be different. As a general rule the calibration is correct, mine are as well as many otheres. I do adjust mine depending on the location of the probe though. Eg if I put a freshly chilled brew in my fermenting freezer while another is in there, I aim for 2c above what I want and place probe inbetween both fermentors, otherwise it drops too much. I generally set the keg fridge for 1 c below what I want, as it's just hanging in the middle of the fridge. I don't see the point in cooling 20 ltrs of water to match a keg for the probe. I have noticed that the air temp changes a lot more than the liquid temp though.
I bet that doesn't help at all
Cheers

milliner1986 wrote:Aus supply is now 230V +- 10%- Not 240 anymore however a majority of the time you will have 240.

Are you sure? I heard it was 250V, but that was off a pretty useless apprentice, so could be wrong. However any time in the last few years I've tested a main board or point of attachment with a voltmeter I've got closer to 246-250V.

Or do I need to get my meter calibrated?

250V is usually a rating voltage of a contact, switch etc is tested at as it is at the high end of the tolerance. You will get 240- 250V from most places you test however the standards have changed to align with european standards. UK had 240 and rest of europe had 220 so they changed it to 230 mainly for manufacturing purposes. The actual voltage hasnt changed just the standard. All calculations regarding voltage drop etc are now based on 230. And sorry it is actually +10 -6 % not +-10% as i said before. I know this will be slightly out of range for the controller if you're at the high end but trust me there wont be a problem. And never trust a bloke that says trust me.

Thank's for the clarification Milliner. Seems I've got some catching up to do. The -6% bit is a bugger though.

@ Aydanrogers: Trust him. It will be fine.

milliner1986 wrote:And never trust a bloke that says trust me.

emnpaul wrote:@ Aydanrogers: Trust him. It will be fine.

What's the protocol on trusting a bloke that says "trust him"?

Never trust anybody that says "trust me" or a person with two first names i.e. Tony Peters, Shaun Michaels etc.

Trust him ? 50/50 I'd say.

emnpaul wrote:Never trust anybody that says "trust me" or a person with two first names i.e. Tony Peters, Shaun Michaels etc.

But that means Aydan Rogers could never trust himself.

Poor bloke. How's a guy supposed to have any confidence if he can't even trust himself?!

He doesn't need confidence. He just needs to trust me.

I think I trust everyone! Ha ha now I need to buy all the gear and build it. I can't wait to be able to brew in summer, its just too hard to keep the temps down in my shed so a fridge is going to be great!

Hey it's good to have a subject on this forum that I actually have a clue what I'm talking about. As for beer brewing .....

Hi all, I have a few of these ready to go stc-1000 units for sale on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251177941148
Heres a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo7zLn7sTBk&feature=plcp
You can leave the fridge and heater plugged in and turn them off independantly with the power point switches on top of the unit.
It has a computer power style socket on the back for power in, this socket has a easily replaceable 10Amp fuse.
At the time of posting this I only have 4 left for sale.
Thanks, happy brewing

Wow you must have been bored one day! Ha ha i got sick of making 3 let alone that many!

pendragon8000 wrote:Hi all, I have a few of these ready to go stc-1000 units for sale on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251177941148
Heres a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo7zLn7sTBk&feature=plcp
You can leave the fridge and heater plugged in and turn them off independantly with the power point switches on top of the unit.
It has a computer power style socket on the back for power in, this socket has a easily replaceable 10Amp fuse.
At the time of posting this I only have 4 left for sale.
Thanks, happy brewing

mate for 89 bucks they would want to come tested and tagged. i sold my one for 50 and felt bad about it. but it was tested and tagged as per the australian standard.
i f any one want one wired, send me a pm more than happy to do it for less then this. ill also test and tag it to comply wit australian standards.