Thermostatically Controlled Fermentor

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="1fcfd5a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>BIT Company</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIT Company"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Thermostatically Controlled Fermentor</I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2566fc90.jpg" border=0 width="111" height="201" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="25c91ca0.jpg" border=0 width="145" height="202" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="25e2ac70.jpg" border=0 width="298" height="199" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> For homebrewers that are limited in where their fermentors can be located, this gadget is an easy, accurate way to brew in the chilly basement or shop in any season. It operates on 12 to 24 VAC therefore won't eat you if you have a spill.</div> <bR> <div> The actual heating supplied depends on the source voltage and the resistance of the element. I have used standard 240 VAC threaded stainless steel water heater elements and a 3500 watt unit with 14.6 ohms resistance provides about 40 watts maximum at 24 VAC and is the most that I recommend. It's advisable to wrap the fermentor in an insulating blanket, a doubled beach towel works quite well.</div> <bR> <div> The thermistor probe is epoxied in the cap at the bottom of the 1/2" PVC tube with a slip to MPT adaptor at the top. Tubing length is not critical with 1/2 the height of the fermentor satisfactory. This is secured through the lid and controller housing with an 'O' ring and a 1/2" plastic conduit nut. The heating element has an 'O' ring rolled on, passes through the housing and lid, and secured with a 1" FPT coupling or plastic conduit nut. </div> <bR> <div> Most lids for plastic pails have concentric ridges and in order to get an air tight seal, the controller housing and the lid are sanded and secured together with regular silicone sealer. If you are using the threaded-top pail, it is easiest to perform this first by tightening the lid fully, orient the controller box the way you prefer, mark the lid, then apply the silicone and seat the box with a modest weight such as a dictionary. Wipe off excess sealant and go away for a day or so to let it cure fully. This makes it quite easy to match-drill the 2 holes with hole saws, 1  1/2" for the element, 5/8" for the thermistor probe but be sure to have a backing board thicker than the lip of the lid to prevent flexing and possible separation when cutting. Any burrs should be removed with a sharp blade and fine sandpaper. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thermostatically Controlled Fermentor la"><U><IMG SRC="26822850.gif" border=0 width="290" height="133" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> Circuit layout - click for larger image</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thermostatic Fermentor schematic"><U><IMG SRC="2699f850.gif" border=0 width="159" height="133" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> Schematic - click for larger image</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thermostatic Fermentor parts list"><U><U>Parts List</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> If you wish to purchase the entire kit less the pail and valve, it is available for $85 plus shipping from us at:</div> <bR> <div> BIT Company</div> <div> 3732 134th Place</div> <div> Wellborn, Florida 32094</div> <div> (386) 963-5380</div> <bR> <div> email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="mailto:bitco@alltel.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:bitco@alltel.net"><U><U>bitco@alltel.net</U></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Quantity discounts for assembled units including the 6 1/2 gallon pail and valve are available for folk that would like to distribute this item.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIT Company"><U><U>Home</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>