Use any fermenter with this Grainfather Glycol Chiller HACK

[@olin2479]

Thanks for the info. I hooked up mine to an inkbird 308 wifi control, using a 12v 2 amp power adapter and wiring to the sensor connector directly. It may be helpful for people wanting wireless connectivity. You just got to install a temp probe through the lid.

[@mikeestes3022]

This video was a lifesaver! We have the same equipment and you had the only video on how to connect everything. And it is a great video - very detailed how to without a bunch of cheesy jokes! Great and thanks!!!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Glad you enjoyed! 👍🍻

[@李君豪-d1e]

Hey Brian! Is it possible to connect a thermostat with xy-st10/st10-w, 10a relay, input power: dc6-30v, current 10a or less, thanks!

[@haraldhalbeisen3698]

Works perfectly for me. I am using a Grainfather glycol chiller with a SS Brewtech Brite Tank (10 gal.). THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Great!! Glad it helped! 👍🍻

[@李君豪-d1e]

I don't understand why the red and black ports are connected incorrectly, the power port should be red? I don't know if it could cause a malfunction in the device.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

It works fine. No damage to the chiller or controller. 👍

[@李君豪-d1e]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers thank you

[@paskrell]

I’m loving this as its literally 20 bucks. What I’m wondering as a diy project. Can you power a computer cooling fan from the ink bird. If you buy one with a liquid heat exchange (=water cooling) you can hook it up to the glycol and build a cheap fermentation chamber that is running of your glycol chiller. I’ll investigate if I can use my ferminator and convert it. It would be worth it!!!

[@lamehunter]

You are life saver! I would like to use 4 glycol outlets on single 80L tank. How would such connection look?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@lamehunter just tie all the connections together at the controller so that all the pumps kick on at the same time.

[@qevinflynn]

Just found that awesome video. One question. Is the GC sensing whether power is drawn from a port? Or can i switch the port just on its on via relais only (+12v to signal wire)?

[@bene3238]

This was an outstanding video. So well done and super helpful. Thank you so much!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Awesome glad it was helpful. It was hard to get everything filmed in those tight spaces with big fingers!! Lol Cheers Ben!! 👍🍻

[@PietroOttati]

thanks for the video, clear and straightforward... Is it possible to manage the heating element? how to deal if we plan to use 220V heating element? any idea or solution?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You could control a separate relay to control the 240v element.

[@PietroOttati]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers not an expert... on this... do you know if there some video as easy as yours that I Can follow?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I don't have a video on that. Sorry.

[@PietroOttati]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers thanks a lot

[@pdavis7964]

Worked a treat. Thanks!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Great to hear!

[@mikeestes3022]

Any chance you have a video using Grainfather pressure transfer kit from Grainfather conical to an SS Brewtech Brite tank?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I've never received the pressure transfer kit from them so I don't have a video covering it. 👍🍻

[@LukeJohnson-b3x]

The m12 connectors are out of stock :( Do you have any advice on where to find one? Or do you have any extras that I could purchase from you?

[@MrEMPool]

Great video! This helped a lot! Is it possible to use the heating relay side in the itc-1000 for an heating pad?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yes you could. But it will need to be 12volts if you run it directly without a relay to switch the 120v. 👍🍻

[@MrEMPool]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers nice, you think the power output of the grainfather will be sufficient?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@MrEMPoolat very low wattage. I think the GF heating pad is only like 70 watts? Not very powerful for sure.

[@MrEMPool]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers i need to find a way to switch another relay for more power. Thanks for your help

[@jimg9630]

Great video

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Thanks!!

[@isayovids]

Great hack, now I’m curious to know how to use the grainfather fermenter with any glycol chiller 😸

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

That's a little trickier one they've not published the wiring schematic nor the type of sensor that's in the unit so that would be a little bit more difficult.

[@Lowrance95]

Hi! Thanks for the video; I wanna try to do this to connect the grainfather to the unitank of ss Brewtech. One question, if I want to connect che heating system to iknbird, I should just connect its wire to the heating connector right?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

The inkbird in the video is 12volt so if the brewtech element is 120v it won't work..you would need a 12volt relay box to make it work.

[@shkraus]

Thanks for the video! The original link for the adapter is all sold out. Would this be a comparable part? VELLEDQ Industrial Field-wireable M12 Sensor Connector 3-Pin Male Adaptor Screw Terminal Plug Fittings If I have some extra connectors, from say the cooling pump kit, can I cut those connectors off and splice the wires?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I think so from the description.

[@lukejohnson6145]

I wired every thing successfully and everything was working great for about a week. Suddenly, my inkbird started reading an inaccurate temperature (between 20-30 degrees low). I have moved the probe around and it won’t even display ambient room temperature accurately. I have rewired everything and replaced the temperature probe with no luck. Anyone had this issue before?

[@leomurray-juers3642]

Great info as always mate! Cheers for throwing that out there.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

For sure!! Cheers Leo!!

[@barleysandwiches8646]

Hi Brian, this was a great video. I am now using my chiller with my 2 spike conicals. I want to be able to control my chiller while away from home. Could I plug a 110v - 12v power converter into the cooling plug of an ITC 308 wifi instead, and use one 12 v wire to the signal pin and the other 12v wire to the ground pin leaving the power pin on the M12 connector unused? This way I could also use my existing heat belt with the ITC 308 and be able to set the temperature from anywhere. Not sure if this makes sense, or if you have any other suggestions. If this would work, could you also suggest the power converter to use? I don't want to damage my grainfather chiller. Thanks in advance, Terry

[@daanvanboven6716]

Great video! Manny thanks! I’ve happen to have an 12v 30W (guess that’s about right for the power from the chiller?) silicone heat pad. Can I hook this up and yes how do I wire it?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You would just have to run a jumper wire from the 12 volt positive over to the heating side of the inkbird. Then just use the same lug for the ground for the heater. That's really about all you need to do.

[@daanvanboven6716]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers manny thanks 👍 great channel by the way 👊

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@daanvanboven6716 welcome! Thanks for the feedback! 👍🍻

[@daanvanboven6716]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers works outstanding! Now using all 4 slots on the chiller and the heating pads working fine. Again thanks!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@daanvanboven6716 awesome!! Good to hear! 👍🍻

[@mrkesu]

Amazing video and instructions, just what I was looking for! Going to try to find these parts and try it with my SS Brewtech fermenter ASAP!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Great!! Let me know how it goes! 👍🍻

[@mrkesu]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers It took unexpectedly long to receive my Inkbird from China (for obvious reasons) but I finally got it yesterday, hooked everything up, and it worked perfectly! Well, ok that was a lie, I accidentally had put the sensor wires into the heating holes, which resulted in a loud beep that put the fear of God into me 😂, but I fixed it quickly and everything "just works" as advertised. Amazing, I can't thank you enough! Expect a new Patreon subscriber very soon! 🤩

[@StassBrewing]

Cheers Brian. I always thought it was odd that they didn't have an adapter so people can use their glycol chiller with other fermenters. Cheers for the info!!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yeah Andrew!! It is a pretty simple build! 👍🍻

[@mikkelkofoed289]

I know this is an Old video I just build this thing for all 4 channels of my glycol chiller but what is the best setting on the itc 1000? I Think of the delay setting and the difference setting?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@mikkelkofoed289 The delay setting I would probably put at 10 and the difference I would put at 3..

[@mikkelkofoed289]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers thanks so 10 minuts delay and 3 for the difference temp?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@mikkelkofoed289 you could do 5 it just delays how long it takes to compress to kick on after unplugged or powered off... Safety measure.

[@mikkelkofoed289]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers thanks it is not that important i Think becauce it is just a pump and not a compressor?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@mikkelkofoed289 yeah that's true. It's been a while since I made the video I was getting it mixed up with my other ITC controller video.. lol you can zero out the delay.

[@loub7868]

Hi, I seen this question asked already but there wasn’t a reply that I saw. Where would you attach the sensing probe to the grainfather conical fermenter? Thanks

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

It's not made to use with the grainfather conical. The purpose of the video is to connect not to other fermenters. The grainfather conical should be used with its own controller.👍🍻

[@anthkraus4433]

Interesting video I have a retired SS brewtech fermenter sitting on the shelf currently ,maybe I’ll pull it out of retirement.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yeah you can use any fermenter! 👍🍻

[@sarkster]

That’s a great video. How would I hook up a heat pad (uk mains) to the heat part? I’m a bit simple with this stuff but would I use a relay to ‘turn on’ the pad by making the mains connection complete?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Just fyi the heating pad would need to be 12v and no more than 30watts. I've looked all over and there aren't many options out there for that specifications. Only thing close is a seat heater for a car and most of the time they are more than 30 watts. 😔 You could run power through the inkbird heating circuit, but keep it under 10 amps.

[@JasonPutt]

i know its old video but question, with the controller heater is it a switch or a 12 supplyu, need know get 110v or 12v heater

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

12volt heater.30 watt max.

[@JasonPutt]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers have any suggestions for one that could wrap around a blichman cornical?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@JasonPutt are you talking about a 12v option?

[@JasonPutt]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers for heating yes, i was thinking a 15watter 3d printer heat bed, but want more surface coverage than 15x15mm

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@JasonPutt I would check car seat heaters. That is a larger surface area.

[@andrewschmitt4764]

Hey great video, thank you very much for your detailed instruction. Can this be configured to heat a fermenter as well?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

it can... if you want to use the power from the chiller you will have to find a 12volt 30 watt heating pad. you "could" run a regular heating pad and simply switch the power wire going to the heating element.

[@paulrobertson9439]

Very interesting thank you. I'm thinking of using this for a Unitank I'm going to buy. Have you used the heat side with this setup? Cheers :)

[@paulrobertson9439]

Sorry I see the answer below haha :)

[@paulrobertson9439]

Hi I eventually got my F40 and used your excellent information to connect it up. I used a 12v to 240v relay to connect it up to the heater. Job done. Thank you :)

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Welcome! 👍🍻

[@paulrobertson9439]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers 3/8 BSP M to. 3/8 NPT F to enable you to connect Grainfather Chiller pipes to Brewtool tanks. Might be helpful to anyone else trying to hook these up Thanks again :)

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@paulrobertson9439 thanks for that tip! 👍🍻

[@TheRubinio1980]

Thank you for the explanation. I currently use three Grainfather fermenters attached to my GF glycol chiller. If I understand correctly, there is a temperature sensor in a GF fermenter that maintains the temperature. Do I understand correctly that the Grainfather chiller without this sensor can keep any fermenter at temperature?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You can use the inkbird with the chiller and chill any fermenter. The ink bird does require a sensor however to monitor temperature. It has one that comes with the ink bird controller, that you can put in a thermo well for any fermenter. And yes the Grainfather conical does have a built-in temperature sensor that sends a signal to the chiller.

[@TheRubinio1980]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Thank you very much :-) Did you ever get an update from Grainfather about that that standalone controller?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@TheRubinio1980 it's still in the works apparently. My video is the only one out there that shows a solution..👍🍻

[@robertcoleman4045]

So I have a question. Building on what you have done, could you add a warming jacket to the heat posts as long as it is a 12 volt jacket? I don't even know if they make such. Would eliminate having to place two sensors in my thermowell. Or could you use the same temp sensor for two inkbirds? One for cooling, the other for heating.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You sure can use the power and inkbird for a heater. 12v 30 watts are the spec. What I found as a possible solution is a automotive heating pad for heated seats. Just make sure it's only 30 watts. 👍🍻

[@robertcoleman4045]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers The other thought I had was to use the Inkbird controller I have from my setup which is the typical 120V unit shipped with Spike temp control and buying a cheap 120v/12v converter and wiring the 12V side directly to the red and black wires on my M12 connector. Then I would just use the temperature probe already on the Inkwell for both heating and cooling.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@robertcoleman4045 yes you could use a 12v relay to run the heater.

[@zzing]

I have been looking into the idea of a glycol chiller, while trying to keep things relatively inexpensive. The grainfather one does look nice and is a reasonable price as far as the chillers go. I have an anvil 7 gallon metal fermenter, so on that point it would actually be relatively inexpensive to hook it up to that. Just don't have all the information yet about that, but soon.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

What info do you need? I've got those fermenters also and use them with the Blichmann glycol chiller.

[@zzing]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers I have done some searching, and the only thing the comes into mind is the compatibility of the different parts of different kits. To be as explicit as I can, almost every metal fermenter seems to have some form of cooling kit - often including a pump. But in glycol chillers I noticed not all of them actually need that pump - is the tubing compatible? Overall there isn't much real concern I think. But I have decided to give the anvil 7 a go with the cooling kit and water. I need to see if I can make enough ice to keep it cold enough. I might not even need a glycol chiller...

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@zzing there are generally some adapters needed. I have used some hose barb reducers on mine to get everything to work. the anvil chilling system is definitely sufficient if you're just doing ales and you don't have a lot of temperature differential between your ambient temperature and the temperature that you want to ferment at. Feel free to ask any other questions. 👍🍻

[@zzing]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers do you think I could get away with doing a lager, if the ambient temperature is about 18-20C and target is between 12 and 15C? (So roughly 70 to 55F I think).

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@J Drake if you change out the ice often you can probably get there. 👍🍻

[@mattbarnes3111]

how about how to connect the g20 glycol to the grainfather conical and be able to still use the fermenter wifi controller

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not sure I understand what you are asking?

[@mattbarnes3111]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers I have a wifi controlled gf conical. and a new kegland g20 glycol chiller..the g20 already has a stc wired in to control glycol temp..say -2deg c.and has 2 other panels to control fv via a temp probe...I work away so enjoy the wifi function...would like the fv to be able to control when pumps turns on off..hope that makes sense

[@mattbarnes3111]

there is a heating relay i could wire my fv into using m12 to spade connectors possibly. so have the glycol running as normal and fv heating??

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@mattbarnes3111 makes sense. However unless the G20 has an external control for the pumps that's not integrated I don't think it's possible.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Maybe? Not sure what the heating circuit voltage is. The grainfather conical heating element is 12 volt.

[@axlns81]

Thanks for your video. In the video you said that you got your M12 connectors from AliExpress. Can you please share a link to AliExpress with the correct ones. Thanks!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

www.aliexpress.com/item/32843757645.html

[@axlns81]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Awesome. Thanks!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Your welcome! It's the 3 pin male insert option. I did the angled one.

[@axlns81]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers not sure why but my comments gets deleted. the link seems to be for M8 connector, but we need M12, right?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

M12 yes I had a real hard time trying to get the links to work properly a bunch of the links for some reason we're taking me to a sundress... Lol

[@colonist6355]

Hey, the FTS Temperature Control Kits for the SS Brewtech Fermenters come with their own controller. Can you make a tutorial on how to connect those to the Grainfather Glycol Chiller? Buying an extra temperature control unit seems unnecessary.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I understand that. I'll see if I can get my hands on one. 👍🍻

[@robertbrown7311]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers any luck? I have the ss brewtech controller as well would love to see how to do this

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@robertbrown7311 I have not had a chance to do any videos yet. Sorry

[@robertbrown7311]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers well I’m sitting here with a grainfather chiller and a brewtech 1/2 barrel unitank with the FTss package. I’ll rip this controller apart and send ya pictures if it helps you Lol 😂

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@robertbrown7311 lol

[@brewskibrewing4244]

Great video Brian. Can you see any issue with hooking up to an Ss Brewtech 10gal Brite Tank? Would that controller do the job of the FTS System controller?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not at all. Would work fine. 👍🍻

[@africantwin173]

So this Inkbird represents the cheaper diy version of the Grainfather digital tempature controller. Any link to the wiring schematic.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I do not have a schematic. If you watch the video I show how to do it. It is very simple.

[@africantwin173]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Brian What type of temperature sensor are you using, and where do you place it on the Grainfather conical fermenter. Any information on that. You did not showed that part.

[@waynebaltzer2759]

How does it hook up to you fermenter

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You can just use hoses. I showed a hose in a loop. You would just hook one hose to the inlet and one to the outlet.

[@ianholmes9328]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers do you need particular connectors for the hoses please?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@ianholmes9328 no there is a hose barb on the chiller.

[@fermentable4270]

Great Video - do you have any recommendations on conical fermenters and cooling systems which would be cheaper than buying a grainfather fermenter?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

As long as you aren't lagering the Anvil bucket fermenter is a good deal with the cooling kit. It will run all the way down to 41f after that the Delta brewing systems is a good choice with its cooling package. It will lager just fine.

[@fermentable4270]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers thanks so much for the quick reply - i love the grainfather fermenter - its just a bit expensive. Looking to get a second

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@fermentable4270 welcome!!

[@carlosh8113]

Hey Brian, got fed up and am getting all the parts together for this changeover from Icemaster max4 controllers to these to push my grainfather conical fermenters, one question is how do i add the heating option to this? The conicals have a heating element near the cone but does the signal wire alone tellit when to cool and heat or do i need to set it up separate? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

The controller will tell the chiller to send 12v to the heating pad. It is a 12 volt 30 watt heater.. probably would do just as well to wrap a heating pad around the outside.

[@brucegreen8954]

Hi Brian great video thanks. Cant find the link to the parts I need though as in NZ. Are you able ot provide the link for the correct M12 connector on aliEpress? I am guessing its a M12 3 pin male connector. thanks Bruce

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

h5.aliexpress.com/item/33015331635.html?spm=a2g0n.seo-amp-search.searchResult.33015331635 It is the male connector..

[@brucegreen8954]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers Thanks!

[@mraabo1]

Hey Brian Can this chiller work with a Braumeister ss fermenter tank??

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Sure.

[@mraabo1]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers thanks Brian for the quick response 👍🏻👍🏻also directly from the box whit-out using the hack ??

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You mean without the external controller? No, you need that to run the pumps.

[@mraabo1]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers ok I get it👍🏻 thanks a lot

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@mraabo1 👍🍻

[@inspectaclueso]

Thanks for the video. I was thinking about doing something similar and was trying to found out what signal the fermenter sent to the chiller and someone sent me the link to this video. Do you happen to know if the fermenter's existing thermometer probe would work with the ITC-1000 or alternatively, would the sensor that comes with the ITC-1000 fit in the fermenter thermowell?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Not sure if the existing thermometer from the grainfather will work. The stc1000 temp probe will fit in a thermowell.👍🍻

[@StuartEvans]

Hello again, I'm ready to try my mod out and just wanted to check before I do so, will this allow me to still use the Glycol Chiller for my Grainfather Conical? Or will I have to only use one fermenter at a time? I'm keen to use my conical and fermzilla via a temp twister at the same time.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

You can use 4 at once, with a combination of the Grainfather and other conical.

[@StuartEvans]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers that's superb news. Thank you once again. I hope you realise that among the whole of the internet only you have investigated and published a solution to it's shortcoming!!!

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

@@StuartEvans Grainfather is "supposed" to produce a solution but I haven't seen it yet. 😔 Thanks for the feedback! 👍🍻

[@carlosh8113]

Hey Brian, nice video! Was gonna ask is that your grainfather chiller? If so what are your thoughts on it? Was thinking of getting the BB Icemax 2 cuz i only need 2 lines but if this is worth it i dont mind paying a little extra for it? Is it loud? Chill down pretty lw to cold crash? Thanks for any info you can give.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yes it is mine. I have not put a load other than the Grainfather conical.. So I can't really say for sure. It does chill pretty quick but the Grainfather controller only goes down to 39f. Now that I've done this I'll see about adding some load to it and see how it does.. 👍🍻

[@nexthops]

I’ve been waiting for this video since I saw a comment that you had an idea, a long time ago 👍

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Glad you enjoyed!! 👍🍻

[@PortlyGentleman]

Pretty ingenious 🍻 You just freed a lot of poor soul. That were trapped by the GF glycol chill! I bet that whole fix was less than $30 usd ?

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Pretty close between 30&40

[@StuartEvans]

Hello Brian and a Good whatever time it is over there. Would this part do? uk.rs-online.com/web/p/sensor-switch-cables-connectors/1951782/ Struggling to find the exact part on Amazon UK. Thanks as always.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

Yes that works

[@StuartEvans]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers many thanks Brian. I know FA about electrics so that's a massive help.

[@claudiusbudde8055]

Make it easy on us and give use the pin numbers please. All connectors have numbers.

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

I thought it was pretty easy? 👍🍻

[@claudiusbudde8055]

@@ShortCircuitedBrewers it is easy but numbers are always better. We don't say go to the 4th blue house on the right. Great job.Those connectors are very common in the industrial world. $10 with the cable attached. www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/sensors_-z-_encoders/magnetic_proximity_sensors/cables/micro_(m12)_normal_duty_q-z-d_cables

[@africantwin173]

Link of the printed paper in this vid on 7:49 www.steven.rowlandson.name/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Using_Glycol_with_SS_chiller_1.pdf

[@ShortCircuitedBrewers]

thanks!