WTDist wrote:ok, so I get it.
besides cord issue which I would have though a cord on an immersion heater would be at least water safe?... why not use the immersion heater or heating pad (or both together) through the STC, it will go to the temp of the STC and oscillate on/off at the temp you set it to rather than slowly boil. The STC1000 is just a switch that goes on and off as needed to stay and maintain a temp. I havent used it for fermenting yet but so far i have heat distress aged and made yogurt with it. Best ive made yet with the STC holding the right temp for cultures.
I guess if you had an electric blanket you could also use that maybe but i would guess the temp probe of the STC would need to be in the fermenter to not get a false reading from the blanket.
Sorry once again, I seem to have been as clear as mud.
Yes that's exactly what I would be doing with the heater. The only problem I have with the concept is I don't feel confident about getting it totally bacteria free (and I don't know if it is safe to submerge the cord - it may be but I have no information on that), and, of course, that has nothing to do with the STC.
The other issue I would see as a potential problem is the thermal inertia of a 150L ferment - used as is the element would probably overheat (boil) the wash at the point at which it is immersed unless the STC temp probe is there as well - and that means I might be keeping just the local area around the heater warm.
As I have an SCR controller as well I could probably prevent over heating by reducing the max power the heater can consume.
I don't think I can use the pad to any effect on a 150L ferment - at least using it as it would normally be used?
I am probably better off getting an aquarium heater large enough for that sized wash.