Coffin cooling and other lessons I learned while building a keezer - Page 2

**shroomzofdoom** · 10-21-2010, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billtzk

I'm using the fan in my keezer (conventional type with faucets mounted through the collar, no coffin), mounted on standoffs right in the middle of the lid, pointing down. It really moves the air in my keezer. But this is a far less tricky application than a coffin setup, from an airflow perspective. Still, I believe this fan would work really well in a coffin setup, especially if you push from one side and pull from the other. But it would be loud, unfortunately.

My fan is very loud too, at 12v it's rated at 56 dBA, it's quieter at 9v but not much. Clearly fan drone is a drawback. But, whatever keeps the beer cold.

billtzk · 10-21-2010, 04:23 AM

A Love controller like the TS-13010 could turn fans on and off as needed. That would eliminate noise when the fans were off and extend their life. But if the coffin won't stay cool for long, the fans will be on all the time anyway.

So has anyone tried using a small peltier cooler (thermoelectric) hooked up to a copper or aluminum plate in the coffin for the cold side and a finned and fanned heat sink on the outside of the coffin? It could be controlled with a Love.

CrapulencePants · 10-22-2010, 12:17 AM

Has anyone tried something like this in a 4" pipe that draws from the bottom and blows into the coffin? It's 120v. Just curious.

I was think of something like that or perhaps the guts from a nice (but broken) bathroom exhaust fan.

**shroomzofdoom** · 10-22-2010, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrapulencePants

Has anyone tried something like this in a 4" pipe that draws from the bottom and blows into the coffin? It's 120v. Just curious.

These tend to be pretty loud, but they do seem to have what it takes to move air. I think they can be gotten at Home Depot; as long as you don't mess it up, it can always go back. If it's an easier fit or a better solutuion--go for it. But please be sure to report back!

Though I would be remiss if I didn't remind you that the Vantec Tornado moves the same amount of air, in a smaller package, is quieter, and cheaper--you can get two of them for $25: http://www.ultimatepccooling.com/vato80fan.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by billtzk

A Love controller like the TS-13010 could turn fans on and off as needed. That would eliminate noise when the fans were off and extend their life. But if the coffin won't stay cool for long, the fans will be on all the time anyway.

I borrowed this really sweet adustable power supply last week and was toying with all kinds of fan speeds and timed on/off cycles. For me, any time the fan wasn't on, I'd get stratification and dead air spaces. The coffin itself is a cold sink, even with a good layer of insulation--it's the weakest link in our design.

If the fan is cycling on and off then the in-coffin temps are varying, then the compressor needs to work that much harder on the next cycle.

With the fan on full time, the compressor goes through more cycles but they are shorter in duration. Then there's always the cost of another Love controller

One of those and I am halfway to a new fermentation cab

The noise is there, and I work all day about 10 feet from it...it's tolerable.

specialized · 10-22-2010, 04:13 PM

so shroomz, do you still have that copper? Willing to part with it for someone else to try their hands with it. I'll be certain to share my results.

**shroomzofdoom** · 10-22-2010, 05:53 PM

Absolutely. I have a 3 foot length or so of 1/2" and probably even a few pieces of the fiber pipe wrap. PM me if you want to try it out...

**shroomzofdoom** · 11-01-2010, 07:10 PM

Soo...specialized...Any updates on your copper attempt? Inquiring minds want to know?

specialized · 11-02-2010, 01:00 AM

Unfortunately, I haven't gotten around to completing the keezer yet. I've got all the framing done. Next I have to build a new lid/coffin and then I can begin fiddling with the copper. Unfortunately I don't have much time lately and this project is getting drawn out. I will post updates as they come though.

lotbfan · 11-02-2010, 01:32 AM

I dont have a coffin to cool, but in my other hobby (reef tanks) IceCap makes a line of nearly silent high cfm fans that run on dc. they come in 3 and 4 inch models and run 45-60 bucks on sale from various e-tailers. These are specifically designed to work in wet/humid environments and mine have survived years and years of working in salty, corroded areas without a hitch.

I know the price is sort of high, but If you replace a 20 dollar fan every year, these pay for themselves pretty fast. They have a variable speed temp. sensor, but this is for high end temp switching, so it would be counterproductive in keezer applications... I would just hang it outside.

Not sure on linking rules for other-than-brewing retailers, so just google IceCap fan if you want to read more...

**EDIT** looks like they have been discontinued, but there are a lot for sale at close out prices now.

**birvine** · 11-03-2010, 11:10 PM

I completed my kegerator with a coffin box a few weeks ago. I chose the 'simpler' method to start which was to encase the beer lines in copper right from the shanks and then down into the fridge about 10". I wrapped the joints with foil tape (so I could remove the whole setup if it doesn't work), then wrapped the copper with foam which I duct-taped in its entirety. To this point, I have drained a keg and a half and all seems well. The taps are cool to the touch though not cold, and foaming is not an issue. My kegerator is in the furnace room so it is not cool in there.

In conclusion, to this point I am not in need of a cooling fan.

B