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**Jester369** · 09-26-2008, 06:06 PM

I really love the idea of carboys bubbling away on display! Keep us posted for sure

**ChshreCat** · 09-26-2008, 06:12 PM

If you're going to have glass or BB carboys in there, I think you should backlight them with some LEDs. That would look so cool with light shining through the swirling yeasties and bubbles.

Brewin_Bob · 09-26-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChshreCat

If you're going to have glass or BB carboys in there, I think you should backlight them with some LEDs. That would look so cool with light shining through the swirling yeasties and bubbles.

+1000!!!

Will you mount the finished product on wheels or on a platform of some kind? Just thinking about if you were to move from where you are now.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 09-26-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrizzell

Couple of questions:

- How are you going to deal with the heat generated by the freezer? In other words, how will you ventilate this so the compressor doesn't overheat?

- What happens when your freezer dies and you have to pull it out to put in a new one? Will there be an easy way to get it out without tearing the whole thing apart?

Otherwise, wow! Freaking awesome!

Great questions!

1) The back of the freezer portion is open so the heat venting will be the same as it is now.

2) The freezer should be rather easy to replace. As long as I can find one of approximately the same size... all that would be required for a change out would be unscrew a couple fasteners, have my brother over to help me lift the structure off the old freezer and onto the new one. I plan to build the whole structure independently so it will be relatively easy to move.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChshreCat

If you're going to have glass or BB carboys in there, I think you should backlight them with some LEDs. That would look so cool with light shining through the swirling yeasties and bubbles.

That sounds cool. Some rope lighting would be super easy to install. Also, I could add a heating element in there for the depths of winter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewin_Bob

+1000!!!

Will you mount the finished product on wheels or on a platform of some kind? Just thinking about if you were to move from where you are now.

I really don't plan on ever moving... but if I do, it shouldn't be to bad, not any worse than moving a highboy or another large piece of furniture.

Thanks for the interest, Cheers

brewjunky · 09-26-2008, 06:32 PM

are you going to insulate the upper fermentation chamber?

Also you will get moisture in the freezer from condensation. You should make sure you leave a space for the drain on the freezer so you can easily remove the water that collects.

The Glass even though double pained will loose a lot of coolness. I have a feeling without the proper insulation that your fans will be running 24-7.

I would mount the love controllers on the front of the unit that way its easy to see your temps plus they look cool.

Evan! · 09-26-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewjunky

are you going to insulate the upper fermentation chamber?

Also you will get moisture in the freezer from condensation. You should make sure you leave a space for the drain on the freezer so you can easily remove the water that collects.

The Glass even though double pained will loose a lot of coolness. I have a feeling without the proper insulation that your fans will be running 24-7.

I would mount the love controllers on the front of the unit that way its easy to see your temps plus they look cool.

That's exactly what I was gonna say. If you build this thing as is, I'd expect your elec bill to go up substantially. Condensation is another concern.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 09-26-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewjunky

are you going to insulate the upper fermentation chamber?

Also you will get moisture in the freezer from condensation. You should make sure you leave a space for the drain on the freezer so you can easily remove the water that collects.

The Glass even though double pained will loose a lot of coolness. I have a feeling without the proper insulation that your fans will be running 24-7.

I would mount the love controllers on the front of the unit that way its easy to see your temps plus they look cool.

Yes! I forgot to mention, the whole frame structure will be insulated with R-13 wall insulation so this thing should be rather efficient. I may loose a bit of heat out of the glass, but the majority of the time, the temperature difference between the chamber and my house will only be around 10-15 degrees. I could mount the LOVEs on the front but my house is rather old school and the digital readouts might look a bit out of place.

I am ordering some of those electric dehumidifiers posted a little while ago for the keezer.

Evan! · 09-26-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boerderij Kabouter

Yes! I forgot to mention, the whole frame structure will be insulated with R-13 wall insulation so this thing should be rather efficient. I may loose a bit of heat out of the glass, but the majority of the time, the temperature difference between the chamber and my house will only be around 10-15 degrees. I could mount the LOVEs on the front but my house is rather old school and the digital readouts might look a bit out of place.

I am ordering some of those electric dehumidifiers posted a little while ago for the keezer.

...or just get some damprid.

you'll get more thermal loss through that glass than you think. So what temp will it be in there? And do you have any way of keeping the kegs colder (42ish) and still have lagers fermenting above at 50-55? Or does the whole thing have to be the same temp?

brewjunky · 09-26-2008, 06:50 PM

Im guessing since cold air drops and the bottom of his floor for the fermentation chamber is going to be insulated he will control the temps by his fans blowing cold air up into the fermentation area from Pipes that go through the floor with fans mounted to them or something similar.

**FSR402** · 09-26-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChshreCat

If you're going to have glass or BB carboys in there, I think you should backlight them with some LEDs. That would look so cool with light shining through the swirling yeasties and bubbles.

-10000 for skunked beer...