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ParadiseBeer · 10-21-2011, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Duk

And are guys using fans for just keezers, or fermentation fridges, or for both.... I just got my chest freezer off CL, got the controller, now just need to get it all together....I just plan on it to ferment and lager

i use fans in both frim and keezer box.

Wild Duk · 10-23-2011, 05:21 PM

Is one big computer fan mounted on the bottom of the chest freezer lid enough, or maybe a small 120v fan and just put in on the "step" which is inside the freezer..... It's a 7.0 cf type freezer

gclunde · 10-23-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Duk

Is one big computer fan mounted on the bottom of the chest freezer lid enough, or maybe a small 120v fan and just put in on the "step" which is inside the freezer..... It's a 7.0 cf type freezer

I built a ferm chamber a few month back with a 5.0 cu ft G.E. freezer. I didn't use a fan for any sort of circulation and a simple 25W bulb as a heat source. So far, I haven't seen any need for anything more elaborate after a half a dozen batches...temp is controlled to within +/- 1 degree F and the freezer runs for about 7-8 minutes every hour and half. I came to the conclusion that it's a small enough area that natural circulation works just fine.

Just my $.02

If you wanna see some pics of my project...the link below will take you to it.
My Keezer Project

barrooze · 10-23-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Duk

Is one big computer fan mounted on the bottom of the chest freezer lid enough, or maybe a small 120v fan and just put in on the "step" which is inside the freezer..... It's a 7.0 cf type freezer

I thought I'd post my experience here. To allow 4 pin locks and 1 ball lock fit in my keezer I built a stand to carry the height of the hump all the way across my keezer floor. I had a fan blowing the air around the keezer but it only circulated air around the top and the cold air really stayed at the bottom. I made a fan the sucks cool air from the bottom and exhausts to the top using a 2L bottle, a PVC tube and some duct tape. The hoses at the top are noticeably cooler now and condensation has been reduced quite a bit as well. My suggestion is to make sure you circulate air from the bottom to the top. Now, if I had not made the stand, I may not have had the issue I did. My 2 bits.

EDIT: Yes, that looks ghetto as hell, but it works great!

**jetmac** · 10-24-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrooze

I thought I'd post my experience here. To allow 4 pin locks and 1 ball lock fit in my keezer I built a stand to carry the height of the hump all the way across my keezer floor. .

That is probably a good idea in general. I may be able to fit 4 ball locks in a 5cuft GE freezer that I am getting ready to build.

theveganbrewer · 10-25-2011, 03:50 AM

Just wanted to thank the OP for the diagram and pics, I got mine finished and working in about an hour. Going to calibrate tonight and get a couple batches in the fermenter this weekend.

**JuanMoore** · 10-25-2011, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetmac

That is probably a good idea in general. I may be able to fit 4 ball locks in a 5cuft GE freezer that I am getting ready to build.

4 is a tight squeeze with a collar. You can get 4 + a 5# CO2 tank if you don't mind slightly denting the interior wall as you cram the tank in place. The stand isn't needed, but one of the kegs will hang halfway off of the hump.

**diS** · 10-25-2011, 06:26 PM

I get one of these, but before I buy freezer I was thinking maybe I can use it for setting temperature of water in HLT, if it is good I"ll buy another one for fermentation control.
What do you guys think, can it be done and how would sensor react in 90° C water?
Also is it accurate enough so we can rely on it while mashing/sparging?

**DeNomad** · 10-25-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diS

I get one of these, but before I buy freezer I was thinking maybe I can use it for setting temperature of water in HLT.
What do you guys think, can it be done and how would sensor react in 90° C water?
Also is it accurate enough so we can rely on it while mashing/sparging?

I would not trust the cheap plastic covering the sensor in 90 deg C water. You would likely get some chemical leeching. Could be wrong but I wouldn't risk it myself.

I used a home depot temperature probe with similar plastic covering in my first AG brew day and it kinda melted... Threw that water out and started over with an analog thermometer.

Also if you calibrate the probe with ice water at 0 deg C it will be accurate near freezing. There may be some non-linearity up near boiling temperatures. Best way to test that would be to calibrate it with ice water (0 deg C) then boil water and see how far off you are - but again... chemical leeching.

**diS** · 10-25-2011, 07:36 PM

Hmm.. I"m too afraid that it will melt.
I have K-type thermometer with metal probes, maybe I could connect this one instead of default sensor, but I"m not sure is there a difference between wires in them..