FINALLY! My fermentation chiller - Page 3

**Dr_Deathweed** · 05-19-2008, 10:18 PM

While not finished, she sure is functional!!!!

Because I was doing mostly wiring today, I did not take many pictures, but I will get some pictures tomorow when I start finishing it out.

I did get both thermostats up and running, but it took me a littlewhile to get the wires run for the fans and all that wired up

My first test run hit 65 on the first chamber, and 70 on the second within 5 minutes

It didnt hold the temperature too well because the door wasn't closed all the way so I could peer in and make sure the fans swapped on and off like they should.

I am taking a break for today while I moniter tempertures and how often it cycles. I have ~6gal of a golden in there right now holding steady at 70deg off one cycle about 15minutes ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithd

How did the coil bending go, and how did you do it without crimping the lines?

The lines were surprisingly resistant to crimping. While I was not able to to bend them in any orginized manner, I did get them pretty much stuffed into the space I needed..

post 17 should have a picture.

**Dr_Deathweed** · 05-20-2008, 02:42 PM

Woke up this morning and it is still holding temperature strong! I decide to seal a few more cracks with canned foam then put the back on my structure. I did take your advise Jas0420 and put a full back over the entire cabinet to help stiffen up whatever shimmy there may have been left in the structure.

Here is a look at the back opening to the compressor compartment. That fan in the upper left corner flips on with the compressor to circulate outside air over those coils. I know it looks like a giant mess in there, but there is SOME method to the madness... That piece of wire wrapped around the fan will come off, it is just holding it in place until the glue dries. That should clean up a little of the mess going on in that picture....

I open the chamber up to take a gander at my brew and to snap a shot of the inside. I also glued up a gasket around the door to ensure a tight seal when it is closed. In a couple hours I will move her into place and start work on the top half!

Those wires hanging down are the thermistors from the thermostats. I ran the wires from the thermostats, around the door frame to the hinge side, up over the top of the chamber and dropped them through. This way I can tape them directly to the fermenter so it is registering the fermenter's temperature rather than the ambient temp.

Also notice there is a fan over those cold coils. It flips on with the compressor as well to circulate some air over those coils and help prevent freeze-ups and increase cooling efficiency.

**Dr_Deathweed** · 05-20-2008, 10:06 PM

Whew! Today has been busy! I admit I am no craftsman, but things are starting to fall into place. After I got the seals glued into place I went and got my corny kegs to make that last final check to make sure they fit (not that I could really do anything at this point if they didn't... other than cry...)

With everything starting to look like I had imagined, I started working on cutting the last of my lumber for the bookshelves and getting all the panels into place. This was kinda fun because apparently one of my braces was a little warped and threw the right side of the cabinet about 1/2" off. I managed to manhandle it into place and get it (semi) squared away.

With that done I hung the right hand door and installed the latch for it. Unfortunately my woodworking skills had improved a small amount by now and the door on the right is much more square and much better looking than my fridge door

I did hang the door a little low which I didn't notice until after I had finished installing the hinges and stood up to look at it. I will move it up a little later when SWMBO gets home and can give me a hand. It's kinda difficult hanging a door by yourself....

Next step: bookshelves. I knew this part wouldn't take me long, but I have still been putting it off because if everything isn't just square I cant cover it up with a little trim and paint.... an hour and a half and 2 beers later it starts looking like it might just hold books!

With the shelves pretty much put together, I cut the back for them and nail it all together. With a little creative leverage using my desk chair, step stool, and some scrap lumber, I manage to leverage it up and lift it to where I can slide it onto my cabinet:

I still have to put some center braces on those shelves, but that may just wait until tomorrow. While no Fermoire, with a little sanding, paint, and some trim, she may just start looking like the fermoire's ugly step-sister

.

I am happy to say that the whole time that I have been in here, I have only heard the compressor cycle a half dozen times, and each time was only for a minute or less. I have the thermostat set with a 1deg tolerance, so it is holding temperature pretty well!

jas0420 · 05-21-2008, 12:31 AM

It's lookin' like a fermentation cabinet now!

**Chriso** · 05-21-2008, 03:24 PM

Very w00t! I've been lurking throughout this project and I'm really impressed with what you've accomplished!

I'm drafting similar ideas now...... buahahaha.......

**Dr_Deathweed** · 05-21-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriso

Very w00t! I've been lurking throughout this project and I'm really impressed with what you've accomplished!

I'm drafting similar ideas now...... buahahaha.......

Yeah, not bad for a week's work!

If you have any questions while drafting yours, I would be glad to answer. I learned quite a bit putting this thing together.

TerapinChef · 09-21-2008, 06:46 AM

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

Me likey!

illnastyimpreza · 10-27-2008, 06:26 PM

saweet. so you are using a single fridge compressor/cooling system to control 2 different
"climates" ?? can you set each "climate" to a different temp is desired ?

**Dr_Deathweed** · 10-27-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illnastyimpreza

saweet. so you are using a single fridge compressor/cooling system to control 2 different
"climates" ?? can you set each "climate" to a different temp is desired ?

Yep, the trick is to put what i want to keep cooler towards the coils, and put my warmer ferment on the other side. It has worked like a charm for many batches already!

**Cpt_Kirks** · 10-29-2008, 05:13 AM

When you first torn down the dorm fridge, there weren't any coils or anything on the bottom, were there?

From your pics, it doesn't like there was.