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Message |
    
Hophead
Senior Member
Username: Hophead
Post Number: 2334
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 167.4.1.41
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 06:37 pm: | 
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Hey now, I got a 3rd one of these grey box analog controllers for a chest freezer, and this one seems to be off by 20 degrees?! The others were about 10 degrees off, which is OK as I can still get it down to low 30s (lowest setting is 20).
The problem is, I can't get it below 40 with this new one, and was wondering if anyone has taken one of these stupid things apart to try to 'calibrate' it closer to reality?
Many thanks! |
Zack
Member
Username: Soverythirsty
Post Number: 109
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 72.93.219.215
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 06:56 pm: |
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Return it?
I retrofitted my chest freezer for warmer temperatures by stripping the thermostat controller out of a refrigerator at the curb on trash day and wiring it in series with the existing thermostat on the freezer.
Price: My $0.02 |
dhacker
Advanced Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 676
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 72.4.22.214
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 08:07 pm: |
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Not what you want to hear, but spend a few more bucks and get the A419. |
Vance Barnes
Senior Member
Username: Vancebarnes
Post Number: 2581
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 208.49.148.10
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
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You're using it on a chest freezer like you mention right? Not a fridge? I've know fridges to have to have their internal thermostat "tweeked" to get below 40.
My digital one has always been right on the money when I've spot checked it. |
Bob Wall
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 603
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 139.76.128.71
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 10:44 pm: |
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I can get my "Very Brady Avacado Green" fridge below 30 without any tweaking. The only thing I do is set the fridge dial to the "coldest" setting. I let the controller do the rest. I do have a digital one though, but that should not make a difference.
If your problem is a calibration issue with your controller, return it. Before I went digital, I have never had issues with my old Johnson.
Give a man a beer and he'll waste an hour. Teach a man to brew and he'll waste a lifetime.
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Hophead
Senior Member
Username: Hophead
Post Number: 2336
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 167.4.1.41
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 11:10 pm: |
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Chest freezer. By moving the probe to the highest point inside, I am able to get down to the upper 30s, but I as it's brand new, I'd have hoped for a bit closer calibration on the darn thing.
Guess I won't open the controller up, well, maybe...  |
Brewrunner
Junior Member
Username: Brewrunner
Post Number: 36
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 71.240.180.58
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 12:07 am: |
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My Johnson is about 6 years old now and works great on my fridge. I'm not sure how well it's calibrated though, it dosen't really matter in the end to me. I use a cheapo digital thermometer for my primary temp indications with the external probe placed in my fridge. I just set the Johnson controller till I see the temp I want. |
Jon Steinhauer
Advanced Member
Username: Jstein6870
Post Number: 993
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 70.100.85.151
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 04:55 am: |
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Regulating the temp of a large chest freezer can be challenging. One side is nearly always warmer than the other, so where you keep the temperature sensor is important. I keep mine in a gallon jug of water on the bottom. Notable, it is still off by about 5F. The freezer was just not designed to keep the entire contents at the same temperature above freezing. Neither was a refrigerator, for that matter, and the bottom and front will always be warmer than the top and back.
Steinhauer
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dhacker
Advanced Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 681
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 72.155.211.48
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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Would not a small fan to circulate the air inside the freezer help even out the "Hot Spots"? |
Steve Jones
Intermediate Member
Username: Stevej
Post Number: 255
Registered: 08-2001
Posted From: 24.159.40.129
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:45 pm: |
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My Johnson is about 6 years old now and works great - man is that one begging for a hack or what?
I have two of the Johnson analog controllers (the gray box with a dial) and they both work great. I have separate digital thermometers in my fridge and my walk-in and both show a temp within 2-3 degrees of my set point.
I'd send it back for a replacement.
(Message edited by stevej on December 20, 2006) |
Paul Erbe
Advanced Member
Username: Perbe
Post Number: 778
Registered: 05-2001
Posted From: 12.27.22.76
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 03:47 pm: |
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Ha -Steve. I must admit I laugh every time I see a thread called Johnson Controller. |
Drew Pattison
Member
Username: Droopy
Post Number: 172
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 143.115.159.54
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 04:01 pm: |
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I use an old analog variety Johnson to control my chest freezer. It is pretty true to temp (within 5 degrees).
I'd say a call to the store you got the controller from is a good idea if it is off by 20 degrees. Hopefully they won't have any trouble replacing. |
Rob Beck
Intermediate Member
Username: Robbeck
Post Number: 306
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 66.142.55.4
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 05:10 pm: |
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My guess is that the problem is with the bulb/probe at the end of the wire. I had one fail several years ago after years of use. If it's new, the seller should be able to replace it for you. |
Hophead
Senior Member
Username: Hophead
Post Number: 2339
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 167.4.1.41
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 05:22 pm: |
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OK, guess I'll send 'em an email and try to replace it. I really don't care if it's 'accurate', but it's off so much that I can't turn it low enough to get to the desired temp...
Jon, the bottom of the fridge is warmer than the top?? May have to check on that one! |
Tony Legge
Member
Username: Boo_boo
Post Number: 222
Registered: 05-2005
Posted From: 142.163.83.24
| | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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I thought heat rises? |
Tim Wi
Advanced Member
Username: Riverkeeper
Post Number: 672
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 170.141.68.2
| | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 09:55 pm: |
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Hophead thinks he has got one hot Johnson.
Tim |
Guy C
Intermediate Member
Username: Ipaguy
Post Number: 476
Registered: 09-2003
Posted From: 24.6.136.251
| | Posted on Saturday, December 23, 2006 - 06:57 pm: |
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A miscalibrated Johnson is never a good thing. |
Michael
Advanced Member
Username: Hoppop
Post Number: 800
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 69.132.121.114
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 01:55 am: |
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Mine is plus or minus 4 degrees....five years old....works great. Is it the controller, or the freezer? Maybe it is shot (compressor?) and cannot cool. If the controller is truly off by 20 degrees, it was made by union employees on the Friday before a three day weekend. Return it immediately and demand a recount.  |
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