Setup

Setting up the RAPT Fermentation Chamber

WARNING

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

Included with the RAPT Fermentation Chamber

1 x RAPT Fermentation Chamber 1 x Wire Shelf 1 x Plastic Floor Protector 2 x PCO1881 Threaded Insert 2 x Left Door Hinges

Display Legends

Graph Disabled Display Legend

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:

Display - Graph Disabled

Graph Enabled Display Legend

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:

Display - Graph Enabled

Display Icon Legend

ICON
MODE
FUNCTION

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

Profile Running

Enabled

Alarm

Installing duotight Blowtie or Inline Regulator (optional)

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.

  1. Remove the cover panel behind the RAPT Fermentation Chamber on the top of the fridge

  2. Unscrew the two Phillips head screws which hold the side service panel in position

  3. Slide the side service panel away from the RAPT Fermentation Chamber

  4. 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

  5. Screw a duotight compatible carbonation cap onto the PCO1881 thread

  6. Top Mount or Side Mount the KL10788 Carbonation Caps

  7. 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

  8. Unscrew the two screws which hold the RAPT blanking plate onto the mounting points

  9. Secure the duotight BlowTie Spunding Valve or Inline Regulator into position using the two mounting points

  10. 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.

Top Mounting

  1. Push a 6.35mm x 8mm reducer onto the duotight compatible barb of the carbonation cap

  2. Push an 8mm male x 8mm female elbow into the reducer

  3. 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

Side Mounting

  1. Push a 6.35mm x 8mm reducer onto the duotight compatible barb of the carbonation cap

  2. 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

Removing Panel to Access Drip Tray

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.

Extension Probe Installation & Calibration

External Temperature Probe Calibration

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:

  1. Enter the menu by pressing Select

  2. Set up two glasses of water. Ice water to one glass and add hot water to the second glass

  3. Use the Up or Down arrows to navigate to Settings and press Select

  4. Navigate to Calibration Point 1 and hit Select

Calibration Point 1

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.

Press Select to lock in Calibration point 1 and move on to Calibration point 2.

Calibration Point 2

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.

Press Select to lock in this calibration point 2

Default Temperature Probe Calibration

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.

  1. NTC beta: 3950

  2. NTC ref. temperature: 298.2

  3. 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.

Swapping The Door Opening Direction

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

Leak Test Procedure

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.

  1. Attach CO2 cylinder and regulator to the gas post of the RAPT chamber

  2. Attach the disconnect from the inline regulator (inside the RAPT chamber) to your empty fermenter

  3. Adjust the pressure on the regulator to 20psi

  4. Turn the CO2 cylinder valve handles off

  5. Wait two hours and ensure the pressure reading on the pressure gauge on the regulator has not changed

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