Johnson Controls Digital Thermostat Control Unit

Full Overview

Convert any freezer into a kegerator! Just plug the freezer into the outlet cord, place the gas-filled sensor in the area to be controlled and program the temperature. This manual thermostat simply turns off the freezer when it reaches the specified temperature. Other features include a lockable touchpad temperature adjustment, a 6-foot power cord and a 6-foot outlet cord.

Technical Details

- Push Button Controls
- Gas-Filled Sensor
- Sensor Tube Measures 1/16" in Diameter
- 6' Power Cord
- 6' Outlet Cord

I use the thermostat to control the temperature in a chest freezer that I use for fermenting beer (35-55 F). The controller works great for this purpose. I also have a second one that I plan on using to operate a HERMS device for my mashing system. You can set the controller to operate a heater or cooling device but you must reposition "jumpers" inside the unit (not difficult but a pain if you plan on doing it often). If you want a unit that switches automatically betweem cooling and heating, you are better off with the more expensive Ranco controller.

This particular controller will allow you to set the target temperature (as either a closing or openning point), the number of degrees of variance from target before the unit turns on/off, a time delay before the unit is allowed to reactivate the device(great for extending the life of a freezer or fridge), power supply on/off option in the case of unit failure and options for using remote monitoring/controlling if you choose to upgrade.

For the money, it is the best value on the market. No wiring required, simply plug in the device to the controller and the controller into the wall. The Ranco offers more options if you prefer to wire your own device or you can go all out and use a Love or other commercial controller that is fully customizable but is best mounted into a control device panel. Check out [...] for examples of what can be done with more sophisticated controller units.

Using to regulate the temp of my kegerater. Current refrigerator didnt have a digital thermostat - just a dial from cold to coldest. This keeps the fridge/ kegerater exactly within the easy to program temp range. It could not work better. Would also work great for an in-wall AC unit.

Using this for home brewing. Connected to a small chest freezer. It controlled my 7 gallon fermentation vessel as well as the corny kegs. Setting the thresholds could be easier but once you understand it works exactly as advertised.

Its easy to use...the manual makes it seem overly complicated.

SP: setpoint (for my purpose 67) the temperature you want the thing to try and maintain.
dIF: differential (1 to 30F, default = 5) I leave at default, this is the point + or - from the setpoint temp (so 62 to 73 in my case.
ASd: anti-short cycle delay (0 to 12 minutes, default = 1)I set to 12 minutes, just to put the least amount of stress on the compressor.

I recommend it!

I used this on a refrigerator that I wanted to maintain at a higher temperature to age cheese. It couldn't have been easier. Just plug the refrigerator into it. Plug it into the wall and you are set. It has maintained the temp perfectly.

Took a bit of figuring to set it up the way I wanted it to work, but it is great and works perfect

This thermostat is a great item! I've been using it for months now to keep my mini fridge at the optimal temperature for homebrewing. I've used it for making ales, as well as lagering and am very satisfied. It is easy to program and use. The temperature is very precise as well.

Works pretty well. No problems yet. Using it to monitor the temp on the freezer out in the garage to brew beer.

Works great to keep my lager at stable temperatures. I checked it regularly for the first three weeks of owning this product and have never seen it different than 54 degrees (I set it at 55 degrees).

Excellent for use with a freezer chest for lagering and storing kegs. Definitely recommended. I have not drilled a hole in my freezer chest yet, so I close the lid on the probe, which crimps the cord a little bit, but works just fine for my purposes.

I had an old refrigerator that I wanted to store wine in. I put the sensor from this unit into a container of water inside the fridge and it keeps the wine at the perfect temperature.