Wednesday, April 26, 2023
HomeHomebrewArms On Evaluation: Inkbird ITC-308 Twin Stage Temperature Controller +WiFi Model

Arms On Evaluation: Inkbird ITC-308 Twin Stage Temperature Controller +WiFi Model



Inkbird’s ITC-308 Digital Twin Stage Temperature Controller is a twin stage, pre-wired Digital Temperature Controller

The ITC-308 comes within the unique model in addition to an up to date Wi-Fi enabled mannequin.  This evaluation covers each editions of this controller.


Restricted Time Deal:

Amazon has each the ITC-308 and ITC-308+WiFI marked down as a part of a restricted time Amazon Lightning Deal.  The ITC-308 is simply $28 whereas the WiFi model is simply $35. Legitimate immediately for the following a number of hours on immediately 4/25 solely whereas provides final.


Why a Temp Controller?

Temperature controllers, typically known as over-riding thermostats, can management gadgets like fridges, freezers and fermentation heating gadgets to offer a constant temperature on your kegerator, fermentation chamber or brew system. They do that by monitoring the temperature and biking on and off the system in query. Typically, you’ll set the system to full cooling or heating energy and the temperature controller takes over from there.


Examine Costs, Present Specs & Availability, Evaluation Continues Under:

Alternate Listings:

Completely different listings or combos for the ITC-308 could also be obtainable – search Amazon for “Inkbird Digital Temperature Controller”  – to see what variations could also be obtainable

At MoreBeer:


Our ITC-308 Deal Pages:

These pages present our most up-to-date offers for these nice controllers

Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Twin Stage Temp Controller [Kegerator or Fermentation] – Lightning Deal

Inkbird ITC-308 WiFi Digital Twin Stage Temp Controller – Lightning Deal


Twin vs Single Stage

Twin stage implies that the ITC-308 can management each a heating and cooling system.  Alternatively, it will probably management a heating or a cooling system.  This controller shows in Fahrenheit and Centigrade.  Twin Show reveals each measured and set temperature.

Arms on Evaluation Inkbird’s ITC-308 Temp Controller

inkbird temperature controller reviewA take a look at the fieldcln_img_9951The controller physique.  The management has two readouts.  The highest is labeled PV.  That stands for “Course of Worth” and shows the present temperature.  The second studying is SV or Set Worth.  It shows the set temperature.  There are two lights under these readouts indicating whether or not the controller is asking for cooling or heating.  The unit has three buttons – SET, up and down.  To get into settings maintain the SET button down for 3 seconds.  A brief press of SET cycles by obtainable settings whereas the up and down buttons change values.

The ITC-308 has the next parameters – develop the part under to see the record.  This record reveals the menu abbreviation adopted by the complete setting title adopted by a definition of what that setting means or does as greatest as I perceive.  Word that obtainable choices might change over time if Inkbird chooses to replace software program on this controller.  Further settings could also be obtainable for the Wi-Fi model.

Parameters and Descriptions

  • TS – Temperature Set Worth – Your goal temperature
  • HD – Heating Differential – Typically known as offset by different producers. This tells the controller how shut you need to preserve the temperature to the specified temperature set worth.  If you’d like it to remain very shut, you’d set it at 1 diploma.  That in all probability is sensible for fermentation.  Should you’re not as involved you may let it wander just a few levels.  Which will make sense on your kegerators.  Word: Whereas some controllers have solely a single offset or differential worth that applies to heating and cooling, the ITC-308 breaks this out into each heating and cooling variables.  The HD determine applies whereas heating, whereas whereas the CD determine applies when cooling.  Right here is an instance from the handbook – “For instance, set TS=25°C, CD=2°C , and HD=3°C, then when measured temperature is increased or equal to 27°C(TS+CD), system enters refrigeration standing; when temperature decline to 25°C(TS), cease refrigeration; when measured temperature is decrease or equal to 22°C(TS-HD, system enters heating standing; when the temperature raised to 25°C(TS), cease heating.”
  • CD – Cooling Differential – See HD for an outline of CD
  • AH – Alarm Excessive Restrict – When measured temperature is increased or equal to AH, excessive temperature alarm will likely be triggered.
  • AL – Alarm Low Restrict – When measured temperature is decrease or equal to AL, low temperature alarm will likely be triggered
  • PT – Compressor Delay – Typically known as Anti-Quick Cycle Delay by different producers – This is a vital function that helps to guard your freezer or fridge’s compressor. This setting (normally expressed in minutes) tells the controller the minimal period of time to let the compressor relaxation. That is no matter different settings. Instance: ASD set to five minutes. The cooling cycle has simply kicked off in your chest freezer based mostly kegerator and also you open the lid. One minute later the probe has warmed up and is once more calling for cooling… Nothing occurs till the 5 minutes has handed. Overriding temp controllers are asking cooling gadgets to do one thing they could not have been engineered for. A typical chest freezer cycles on solely not often when used as a freezer. Setting these to a 1 diploma offset for fermentation temp management isn’t precisely what the engineers had in thoughts. ASD helps mitigate that problem and lengthen the lifetime of your system.  From the handbook: “Beneath refrigeration mode, after energy on, if the measured temperature is increased than the worth of setting temperature(TS) plus cooling differential(CD), the tools gained’t begin refrigeration instantly, however ready for a delay time.”
  • CA – Temperature Calibration – Use this setting to calibrate or appropriate the controller.  From the handbook: “When there may be deviation between measured temperature and precise temperature, use temperature calibration operate to align the measured temperature and precise temperature. The corrected temperature is the same as temperature earlier than calibration plus corrected worth( corrected worth could possibly be constructive worth, 0 or damaging worth)”
  • CF – Temperature Unit C or F – Change the show between Fahrenheit and Celsius

 

ITC-308 worth ranges in Fahrenheit Mode.  Seek the advice of Handbook for Centigrade Ranges

cln_img_9952A take a look at the ability and temperature cablescln_img_9955A take a look at the 5′ temperature cablecln_img_0639The producer says that the temperature probe is waterproof and submersible.  I’ve discovered that to be true.  Right here is the probe submerged in a growler.  I left it submerged for a couple weeks and it continued to work as anticipated.cln_img_9956Right here’s a take a look at the plug in cable.  It has two retailers, one labeled cooling and one labeled heating.  Plug your cooling system (usually a fridge or freezer) into the cooling system and your heating system into the heating outlet.  It’s also possible to go away both unplugged if you happen to’re solely considering heating or cooling.  By utilizing each a heating and cooling system you possibly can actually dial in fermentation temperature.  Or, if you happen to’re working a kegerator, you’re in all probability solely considering cooling.  The Itc-308 and related controllers are typically known as overriding temperature controllers.  The thermostat on this unit basically takes over management out of your heating or cooling system by biking on and off the ability as wanted.

cln_img_0433On this image, I’m utilizing a Lasko MyHeat 100 to maintain my fermentation temp up.  Word: All the time learn and observe producer’s instructions.  Should you’re on the lookout for one thing for the warmth aspect of the equation, try one thing like a Homebrew Fermentation Heater

cln_img_9965A take a look at the show at nighttime

cln_img_1079Again of the unit.  Shows some specs and extra info.cln_img_1077The mounting gap in use.  A screw is just not included.cln_img_1085I examined accuracy utilizing an ice water tub.  Right here is the probe submerged in an ice water tub housed in a Spiegelau Stout Glass.

cln_img_1084The ice water reads 32.5 deg F.  That’s inside .5 deg F and comparatively spectacular.  For some extent of reference, that beats the acknowledged accuracy tolerance for each the CDN-DTQ450X (+ or – 2 deg F) and the Thermapen Mk4 (+ or – .7 deg F).  The ITC-308 will also be calibrated if essential.

cln_img_0006One of many first issues I used this for was sustaining temperature whereas carbonating with my Spunding Valve.  See: Construct a Spunding Valvecln_plinyFermenting Nice Fermentations’ “Piney the Weldercln_porterFermenting Nice Fermentations’ Darkish Facet Strong Porter


Addendum – Arms on Evaluation Inkbird ITC-308 WiFi

Inkbird launched an up to date model of the ITC-308 with WifFi performance within the first quarter of 2019.  This addendum is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, knowledgeable homebrewer and skilled reviewer.

In Motion Fermenting Utilizing a Spike Brewing Flex FermentorArms on Evaluation

After utilizing the Tilt Bluetooth Hydrometer on many fermentation batches, with the ability to have repeatedly up to date gravity readings has opened up new potentialities for me throughout fermentation. Whereas monitoring the tendencies in gravity over time, I can see when fermentation price is beginning to sluggish, and I can step in and bump up the temperature to maintain issues transferring alongside. That is what I do on all my fermentations now. Begin at a temperature on the low finish of the yeast’s temperature vary, after which simply preserve tabs on the gravity drop price.

Tilt Knowledge Plot (click on to enlarge) – reveals temp adjustment factors – Arms on Evaluation Tilt Bluetooth Hydrometer

Nonetheless, I developed a brand new kind of FOMO (Concern Of Lacking Out). I’d now be sitting at work checking the progress of fermentation after which be thrown right into a panic as a result of I might see the gravity beginning to decelerate and I used to be helpless at work, not capable of bump up the temperature. I’ve even known as house after I was out of city and talked my 12-year previous son by the method of the best way to improve the set level temperature. So after I noticed Inkbird had a Wi-Fi controller, I used to be excited.

App Screenshot – heating energetic modeApp screenshot – settingsHeating and Cooling ShopsTemp Probe

The controller works precisely just like the common ITC-308 controller with straightforward temperature set level adjustment, a hardwired temperature probe included, and a receptacle that has each a Cooling and Heating plug. With the Wi-Fi function, a one-time setup course of accomplished by way of a downloaded App in your cellphone provides you the flexibility to test the temperature studying and regulate the set level temperature up or down remotely by way of your smartphone. So now, at any time when I test the gravity from my Tilt reporting, if I see I would like to regulate the temperature, I simply change over to the Inkbird app and regulate it. Completely easy, and no extra FOMO.


Conclusions

The ITC-308 by Inkbird is a good temperature controller.  It’s correct, straightforward to make use of, has nice options and is dependable.  Due to it’s options and basic value, I known as this a recreation changer when it first got here out.  After utilizing it for years, I’ll stand by that.  So far as evaluating basic value and options to different controllers, as of this writing, I don’t know of something that’s near the Inkbird ITC-308.

After years of utilizing the unique ITC-308 temperature controller, I can heartily advocate it to you to help with fermentation and kegerator temperature management.  I feel the ITC-308 is an impressive alternative.

Examine Costs, Present Specs & Availability, Evaluation Continues Under:

Alternate Listings:

Completely different listings or combos for the ITC-308 could also be obtainable – search Amazon for “Inkbird Digital Temperature Controller”  – to see what variations could also be obtainable

At MoreBeer:

Our ITC-308 Deal Pages:

These pages present our most up-to-date offers for these nice controllers

Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Twin Stage Temp Controller [Kegerator or Fermentation] – Lightning Deal

Inkbird ITC-308 WiFi Digital Twin Stage Temp Controller – Lightning Deal

Associated Sources:

Extra Homebrew Finds!

Particular Due to Inkbird for offering the WiFi unit used for analysis on this evaluation.

Be sure the parts you utilize are suitable and rated on your supposed utility.  Contact producer with questions on suitability or a particular utility.  All the time learn and observe producer instructions. evaluation:itc308 tag:tpr rs:7

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