Posted: Monday Feb 19, 2007 3:03 pm
I just tape mine to the side of the fermy with some packing tape and it works spot on at any temp 
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Posted: Monday Feb 19, 2007 3:06 pm
I stick mine underneath two flat stubbie holders and tape all the sides up to seal it, seems to work OK, I've got an extra thermometer in the fridge as well and it and the fridgemate are usually almost the same
Posted: Monday Feb 19, 2007 4:00 pm
I have the probe on my wort and a thermometer measuring fridge temperature and room temperature.
Posted: Monday Feb 19, 2007 5:09 pm
I've been thinking about this as I homebrew my own thing. I'm using a thermoelectric wine cooler as the basis of a thing which I expect to cool and to warm.
I can't find what I want/need/desire to make a thermowell out of, so I am thinking that if I got a piece of neoprene (or something similar) and cut a small hole in it around the centre, I could put the thermistor in the hole and sit the fermenter on the neoprene. Assuming a piece of wood or similar stuff under the neoprene/fermenter, it would be closer to the temperature of the fermenter than the surrounding air as it is not really engaging with the surrounding air. Also, I wouldn't need to tape it to the fermenter - it becomes part of the cooling equipment (as it 'should' be), and not something that has to be farnarkled with each time I insert a fermenter.
I believe a thermowell to be the best way of doing it, but that *could* be because the better way hasn't been found yet. (Of course, 'best' is subjective).
I can't find what I want/need/desire to make a thermowell out of, so I am thinking that if I got a piece of neoprene (or something similar) and cut a small hole in it around the centre, I could put the thermistor in the hole and sit the fermenter on the neoprene. Assuming a piece of wood or similar stuff under the neoprene/fermenter, it would be closer to the temperature of the fermenter than the surrounding air as it is not really engaging with the surrounding air. Also, I wouldn't need to tape it to the fermenter - it becomes part of the cooling equipment (as it 'should' be), and not something that has to be farnarkled with each time I insert a fermenter.
I believe a thermowell to be the best way of doing it, but that *could* be because the better way hasn't been found yet. (Of course, 'best' is subjective).
Posted: Monday Feb 19, 2007 7:05 pm
thanks for the advice!!! i had it coiled on top of the fermenter but used some foam tape to stick it on the side. temp now stable20C cheers
Posted: Wednesday Feb 21, 2007 10:15 pm
had the temp differential set to 17 instead of 1 
Posted: Thursday Feb 22, 2007 2:51 pm
Aaah that would do it. 
For reference, the fridge's thermostat should be set to its coldest setting.
For reference, the fridge's thermostat should be set to its coldest setting.
Posted: Tuesday Mar 20, 2007 9:52 pm
How bloody good is a Fridgemate!!!!!
Just sampled my first "Fridgemated" brew, it's a Charlie Papazian recipe, kit and kilo with a few hops, brewed at the right temp, in the bottle for only a fortnight and dead set I'm sold. Temp control issues solved with great tasting beer as a result, now I can concentrate on tweaking some other things to make it even better!!!
Flippo is one happy boy, just gotta use all my intestinal fortitude now not to drink two cartons too quick
Just sampled my first "Fridgemated" brew, it's a Charlie Papazian recipe, kit and kilo with a few hops, brewed at the right temp, in the bottle for only a fortnight and dead set I'm sold. Temp control issues solved with great tasting beer as a result, now I can concentrate on tweaking some other things to make it even better!!!
Flippo is one happy boy, just gotta use all my intestinal fortitude now not to drink two cartons too quick
Posted: Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 3:31 pm
Just ordered mine now. I'm excited! 
Posted: Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 3:33 pm
Mine is getting wired up friday night by the sparky at work.
Excited alright.
Excited alright.
Posted: Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 3:55 pm
Yep, I've said it many times - temp control to me is the most important factor in making great beer along with fresh ingredients....Flippo wrote:How bloody good is a Fridgemate!!!!!
Just sampled my first "Fridgemated" brew, it's a Charlie Papazian recipe, kit and kilo with a few hops, brewed at the right temp, in the bottle for only a fortnight and dead set I'm sold. Temp control issues solved with great tasting beer as a result, now I can concentrate on tweaking some other things to make it even better!!!
Flippo is one happy boy, just gotta use all my intestinal fortitude now not to drink two cartons too quick
cheers Ross
Posted: Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 4:08 pm
I should have added also.
Cheers Ross, three cheers!
Cheers Ross, three cheers!
Posted: Thursday Jul 12, 2007 12:26 pm
Yeah I'll say! How good is this for service, I ordered mine @ 3:30pm Yesterday arvo and it was hear in Frankston, Melb by 9:30am! Bloody impressive. Thanks Ross!
Will be popping into Jaycar this arvo for some parts and I should have it finished tonight
Will be popping into Jaycar this arvo for some parts and I should have it finished tonight
Posted: Tuesday Jul 17, 2007 11:43 am
OK all done, must say I'm pretty impressed. This little thing is awesome. I opted for the stainless probe to insert into the wort for more accurate temp readings. The guys at Grape and Grain helped me out with a washer, grommet and nut to suit.
I decided to use a pre ventilated case as apposed to a plastic one. I also soldered all connections to be extra safe and used 240v clipsal screw down connectors to insulate. Used cable ties on all cables to prevent tension on the leads and grommets to prevent damage.
Have a look at the pics and see what you think
I decided to use a pre ventilated case as apposed to a plastic one. I also soldered all connections to be extra safe and used 240v clipsal screw down connectors to insulate. Used cable ties on all cables to prevent tension on the leads and grommets to prevent damage.
Have a look at the pics and see what you think
Posted: Tuesday Jul 17, 2007 11:46 am
that looks pretty sweet!
on an aside, if my fridge isn't getting cold enough, can i use a fridgemate to bypass the thermostat to make the motor stay on longer so the fridge get's colder?
on an aside, if my fridge isn't getting cold enough, can i use a fridgemate to bypass the thermostat to make the motor stay on longer so the fridge get's colder?
Posted: Tuesday Jul 17, 2007 12:18 pm
I don't think so - if your fridge is not getting cold enough on its lowest setting, then I'm guessing it will already be running continually & it's faulty. If its a fault thermostat that's cutting out early, then yes it could work.gibbocore wrote:that looks pretty sweet!
on an aside, if my fridge isn't getting cold enough, can i use a fridgemate to bypass the thermostat to make the motor stay on longer so the fridge get's colder?
cheers Ross