DIY Temperature control

[Runningwolf]

Very cool set up. I assume you are saving electric since you are warming up two containers. The bigggest issue I would have is the lifting in and out of the tote on that bench. Myself, I would probably have it on the floor on one of these. I have three of them right now that I have carboys and cases of wine on. They are handy as heck in the basement.

 

[WeLoveCab]

Thank you, I will use my vacume pump to rack out of the primary so I don't have to lift it. The bench will fit 2 tote bins so I can have 2 primaries and 2 secondaries going or 4 secondaries. I am going to build a second bench though just big enough to hold the bin that holds to two primaries and make it a bit shorter then the current bench. I have noticed that getting the juice into the primary is a little hard since I have to lift the juce to about shoulder level to dump it in. I don't want to set the bin on the floor because that would lead to additional cooling from contact with the cement floor.

 

[chachi44089]

I have been thinking of using a heating pad on top of some foam board. The heating pad will be plugged into a PID controller with internal relay. Set the carboy or the primary on the pad. I can then just tape the probe to the side of the primary or secondary. Digital controlled precision. I bought my controller at http://auberins.com/ Great prices and all kinds of teck toys..
I think the insulated foam board might benifit any heater system when the container needs to sit on a concrete floor. Then no need to build more benches. They sell it at the local home imp store up to 2" thick.
I am also eyeballing an old waterbed heating pad I have "about 3' square". I could cut a piece of foam board to the same size as the pad. Set the foam board down, the pad on top, and I think I could easily fit 4 carboys on it and heat them all together. I will also make "sleeves" that slide over my carboys out of thermal barrier "silver bubble wrap stuff". That is sold at home stores too.

 

[almargita]

I to have a old waterbed heating pad that was salvaged. It has lots of disclaimers on it to only use under a water mattress as a possible fire hazzard???? Only able to find some info on re-using it as a seed tray heater, but it seems to be able to be reto-fitted for carboys also?? It has a controller & a temp sensor prod, about 15 inches by 36 inches, rubber coated material. It was designed to warm water, so should also heat the carboys, I have some 3 inch styrofoam sheets that could make a box/tray to set it in. May try a test using a carboy with just water or a 5 gal plastic water jug to see if I can control the heat & temp in them. Don't want to chance loosing a full carboy of wine but this would be ideal if able to control the heat. Would be a great help in the colder months...
Any comments or suggestions are welcome......
Al

 

[Runningwolf]

I to have a old waterbed heating pad that was salvaged. It has lots of disclaimers on it to only use under a water mattress Any comments or suggestions are welcome......
Al

Thats simple. Fill your water mattress with enough wine and sleep on it and show it some luvin!

 

[jbyrum]

Has anyone tried using a waterbed heater? I think they're long enough to sit 3-4 buckets directly on one. Would have to tape the copper temp sensor to the side of a bucket though or you'd run the risk of the heater running really hot or cold depending on where the sensor was.
BTW, I did see Albargita's post but nobody really answered.
Dan's idea is a good one!!

 

[vacuumpumpman]

That might be too much heat compared to how much water is inside a water bed - all you can do is try it

I use an aquarium heater and that seems to work very nice and it's submersible also

Thanks steve