Setup
Setting up the RAPT Fermentation Chamber
Last updated
Setting up the RAPT Fermentation Chamber
Last updated
IF THE FRIDGE HAS JUST BEEN MOVED DO NOT TURN ON UNLESS IT HAS BEEN STANDING UPRIGHT FOR ATLEAST 24 HOURS. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL VOID WARRANTY. STAND FRIDGE IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE PLUGGING INTO MAINS POWER SOCKET
CO2 GAS CAN BE DANGEROUS. MAKE SURE TO ALWAYS USE CO2 IN A WELL VENTILATED SPACE
ALWAYS THOROUGHLY CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS ONCE YOU HAVE SET UP YOUR SYSTEM
ENSURE THERE IS OVER 100 mm CLEARANCE AT THE BACK OF THE FRIDGE TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE AIR FLOW AND VENTILATION
BE CAREFUL NOT TO CONTACT THE EXPOSED COLD PLATE WHEN ADDING OR REMOVING FERMENTERS OR KEGS
1 x RAPT Fermentation Chamber 1 x Wire Shelf 1 x Plastic Floor Protector 2 x PCO1881 Threaded Insert 2 x Left Door Hinges
This is the default display. This displays the current temperature and setpoint, as well as useful information such as Heating or Cooling Mode, WiFi and/or Bluetooth This will show an interface like the following:
This displays a graph of temperature vs time with a default period of 7 days. This can be changed by selecting the Show graph checkbox in the Settings. This will show an interface like the following:
On
Fan On
On
Cooling Relay On
On with countdown overlay
Cooling Relay Start Delay
On
Heating Relay On
On with countdown overlay
HeatingRelay Start Delay
Connected
WiFi Connected
Enabled
Bluetooth Enabled
Enabled
PID Heating Enabled
Enabled
Alarm
If you intend to pressure ferment in the RAPT Fermentation Chamber you may find it useful to install a KL15042 duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve and/or a KL15035 duotight Inline Regulator.
The duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve will allow excess pressure built up during fermentation to be released from the fermenter allowing an optimal fermentation pressure to be set based on your beer style and recipe.
Installation of a duotight inline regulator allows for easy pressurisation for closed transfers for example.
There is a mounting point on either side of the RAPT Fermentation Chamber for mounting a duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator.
Remove the cover panel behind the RAPT Fermentation Chamber on the top of the fridge
Unscrew the two Phillips head screws which hold the side service panel in position
Slide the side service panel away from the RAPT Fermentation Chamber
Remove the blanking plate and slide in the PCO1880 threaded plate into the desired location depending on if you wanted the ball lock disconnect mounting point on the side or the top of the fridge
Screw a duotight compatible carbonation cap onto the PCO1881 thread
Top Mount or Side Mount the KL10788 Carbonation Caps
Measure and cleanly cut the desired length of EVABarrier tubing required to reach from your fermenter in the fridge to the duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator. Then route this hosing into the injection moulded channel and through the opening in the top of the fridge
Unscrew the two screws which hold the RAPT blanking plate onto the mounting points
Secure the duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator into position using the two mounting points
Terminate the line inside the RAPT fermentation chamber with gas disconnects. KL20756 duotight Disconnects are recommended for this
Note: You may need to remove the gauge from the BlowTie Spunding or Inline regulator which is positioned to the right of the RAPT Fermentation Chamber and rotate this such that it is upright. This can be done easily by removing the two bolts which hold the gauge housing in place and pulling up on the gauge to remove it
Note: To ensure correct orientation install the Inline Regulator (KL15035) on the left hand side. Install the Blowtie spunding valve (KL15042) on the right hand side of the RAPT Fermentation Chamber
For detailed instructions showing how to install a duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator, then please refer to the following instructional YouTube video: RAPT Fermentation Chamber – duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve/Inline regulator installation video
An easy way to connect the EVABarrier hosing onto the carbonation cap is to use a duotight fitting. Below is just one example of how the EVABarrier gas hosing can be connected.
Push a 6.35mm x 8mm reducer onto the duotight compatible barb of the carbonation cap
Push an 8mm male x 8mm female elbow into the reducer
Cleanly cut an 82mm length of EVABarrier hose and insert this firmly into the BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator and duotight reducer. Ensure that the arrow on the side of the Spunding Valve or Inline regulator is pointing towards the RAPT Fermentation Chamber
Push a 6.35mm x 8mm reducer onto the duotight compatible barb of the carbonation cap
Cleanly cut an 84mm length of EVABarrier hose and insert this firmly into the BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator and duotight reducer. Ensure that the arrow on the side of the Spunding Valve or Inline regulator is pointing towards the RAPT Fermentation Chamber
The front panel at the base of the RAPT Fermentation Chamber is dismountable. In normal use it is held in place by magnets, to allow easy and convenient access to the drip tray which is mounted underneath the fermentation chamber. It is recommended to regularly check the drip tray and empty as required. To enable this, remove the four screws holding the front panel in place.
The RAPT fermentation Chamber comes as standard with a short temperature probe which measures the air temperature within the RAPT Fermentation Chamber.
If you were looking for higher accuracy temperature measurement by inserting a temperature probe into the thermowell of your fermenter you will need to install and calibrate a longer extension temperature probe (sold separately - KL22460)
For instructions to install and calibrate this longer extension temperature probe please refer to the instructional YouTube video or follow the steps below
Alternatively, Bonding a RAPT Pill Hydrometer via Bluetooth and using this as the tmperature probe is ideal as this unlocks the ability to have powerful, customised Fermentation Profiles with steps that can be triggered by temperature, time, gravity and rate of change of gravity!
To calibrate the extension probe:
Set up two glasses of water. Ice water to one glass and add hot water to the second glass
Insert the temperature probe of the RAPT Fermentation Chamber into the glass of ice water while simultaneously measuring the temperature of the ice water using a calibrated external thermometer such as a KL23320 Digital Instant Read Thermometer. Wait for the temperature reading on both the RAPT Fermentation Chamber and the external calibrated thermometer to stabilise as much as possible.
Then adjust the temperature shown on the RAPT Fermentation Chamber (Calibration Point 1) to match the temperature measured on the external calibrated thermometer.
Insert the temperature probe of the RAPT Fermentation Chamber into the glass of hot water while simultaneously measuring the temperature of the hot water using a calibrated external thermometer. Wait for the temperature reading on both the RAPT Fermentation Chamber and the external calibrated thermometer to stabilise as much as possible.
Then adjust the temperature shown on the RAPT Fermentation Chamber (Calibration Point 2) to match the temperature measured on the external calibrated thermometer.
In the event that you revert back to the standard probe that is preinstalled in the RAPT Fermentation Chamber, you can manually reset the temperature probe to the default settings.
NTC beta: 3950
NTC ref. temperature: 298.2
NTC ref. resistance: 100000
You can also select Forget Calibration in Settings. This will revert any saved calibration settings to default.
Manual calibration of the internal temperature probe can be performed using the same method as outlined for the extension probe.
Included with every RAPT chamber are spare hinges that allow for the orientation of the door to be changed from right side opening to left side opening.
The bottom hinges are accessed by removing the dismountable drip tray cover (above).
To access the top hinges, remove the top panel of the RAPT chamber.
Follow the above instructions for installing the inline regulator to remove the two front panels. Then remove the 6 screws holding the plastic top cover in place. Once the top hinge can be accessed, it is removed by unscrewing from the RAPT chamber.
To swap the door hinge side, remove the top right hinge. Then carefully lift the door off the bottom hinge pin and place in a safe place. Unscrew the bottom right hinge.
Perform this in reverse to install the left hinges. Install the left bottom hinge. Carefully align the door onto the left bottom door hinge pin. Then install the left top hinge and replace the top cover.
It is recommended that this is performed by two people to minimise the risk of damage during the process
Prior to beginning fermentation or hooking up any kegs to your gas line into the fermentation chamber it is essential to conduct a leak test.
It is best to conduct a pressure decay test on the fermenter itself and on the incoming gas line into the duotight inline regulator from the CO2 cylinder and regulator to ensure your entire system has no leaks.
This can be done easily.
Attach CO2 cylinder and regulator to the gas post of the RAPT chamber
Attach the disconnect from the inline regulator (inside the RAPT chamber) to your empty fermenter
Adjust the pressure on the regulator to 20psi
Turn the CO2 cylinder valve handles off
Wait two hours and ensure the pressure reading on the pressure gauge on the regulator has not changed
Enter the menu by pressing Select
Use the Up or Down arrows to navigate to Settings and press Select
Navigate to Calibration Point 1 and hit Select
Press Select to lock in Calibration point 1 and move on to Calibration point 2.
Press Select to lock in this calibration point 2
