- Joined
- Feb 16, 2012
- Messages
- 3,400
- Reaction score
- 4,394
- Location
- Either in the brewery or on the road
So, the controller to my SS Brewtech temperature (FTSs chilling and heating) shot craps for the second time in a little over a year. The controller itself appears to have failed "partially" only in the chilling mode. The unit boots up normally, responds to inputs, appears to turn-on/shut off at the proper hysteresis points, displays that the signal to operate is being sent to the pump, but the pump 'doesn't', as in pump. In addition to my Unitank I also have a Chronical that is an FTS model (chill only) that I'm using its controller in place of the failed FTSs controller to keep my current fermentation happy. Since the Chronicle's control unit is working with the Unitank and chiller, I know that the fault is not in the pump, the plumbing or the glycol chiller. The faulty controller is simply not sending DC power to the pump. This controller failed in exactly the same place and mode as the original one, so I suspect a faulty power plug output on the controller, with all other functions normal.
I'm more than a little miffed about the situation since I'm right in the middle of a large number of brews underway and/or planned. The replacement controller isn't cheap, but the proprietary design interface limits my options for replacement with something more robust like an Inkbird controller that has regular 120V power output rather than 28VDC pump power supply. The only replacement controller listed by SSBT is a Digital Touch screen system costing $261 with shipping. For that price I could replace all three of my glycol chiller controllers AND pumps with something more reliable. Right now I'm down to ONE controller (chill only) for three different fermenters that want to be kept cool in this record heat.
Anybody have suggestions or recommendations for replacing controllers? I'm more than happy with my present glycol tank, the pumps themselves, as well as the fermenters, but these failing controllers have got to go. I'm reluctant to go with 120VAC (not a fan of mixing 20A/120V with H2O+propylene glycol), but all the controllers I see are mostly that. Maybe a reliable aquarium pump/controller setup? I'd prefer a purpose built system for glycol chillers designed with small brewers in mind, that doesn't require a lot of MacGyvering.
I'm more than a little miffed about the situation since I'm right in the middle of a large number of brews underway and/or planned. The replacement controller isn't cheap, but the proprietary design interface limits my options for replacement with something more robust like an Inkbird controller that has regular 120V power output rather than 28VDC pump power supply. The only replacement controller listed by SSBT is a Digital Touch screen system costing $261 with shipping. For that price I could replace all three of my glycol chiller controllers AND pumps with something more reliable. Right now I'm down to ONE controller (chill only) for three different fermenters that want to be kept cool in this record heat.
Anybody have suggestions or recommendations for replacing controllers? I'm more than happy with my present glycol tank, the pumps themselves, as well as the fermenters, but these failing controllers have got to go. I'm reluctant to go with 120VAC (not a fan of mixing 20A/120V with H2O+propylene glycol), but all the controllers I see are mostly that. Maybe a reliable aquarium pump/controller setup? I'd prefer a purpose built system for glycol chillers designed with small brewers in mind, that doesn't require a lot of MacGyvering.