My ferm chamber build
 

I'm currently using a chest freezer as my fermentation chamber, but I plan on converting it to a kegerator soon so I'm making my own ferm chamber to replace it. It's going to be big enough to fit 2 carboys in pretty snug. The outside dimensions are 48 x 26 x 40.

I based my design off of Hoppopotomus' so thank you for sharing your design and hopefully mine will aid someone as well. Instead of the top coming off though, I'm going to be making doors on the side so I won't have to hurt my back picking up carboys and potentially dropping them.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/hoppos-rustic-fermentation-chambers-ale-lager-301274/

This is the start of the bottom frame.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps58f32312.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psc3f74e43.jpg

Some plywood will be placed on top of the frame to serve as the floor, so I'm layering some more 2x4s and creating a cross beam to assure that the floor will be level and sturdy enough to hold the weight.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps2a4206c6.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psf9ed17cd.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps6b029a29.jpg

Here's the floor attached to the frame. I'm using 1/2" plywood for the top and bottom surfaces.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps41e510af.jpg

The side frame is attached now and I am starting to layer the insulation on the floor. I decided to do this now because I will be creating a cross beam on the side frame that will be on top of the mini fridge and keep it in place. In order to know for sure where this beam will be placed I will need to create the floor that the fridge will sit on.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psa87618a4.jpg

The insulation is down. I used clear power grab all purpose adhesive to glue them in place and laid some weight on it for 24 hrs.

Here I'm estimating the height that the cross beam will need to be. I will be using a plastic lining as a surface above the insulation, so I'm not actually putting the cross beam on yet.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps2adeb62c.jpg

Like Hoppopotomus I removed the feet to keep the fridge flush with the floor. Unfortunately the feet for this fridge was a metal strip that anchored the compressor, so it took some work to get it off. This is the mini fridge I'm using.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps59488f34.jpg

Here, I'm getting the top frame going. The side frame is attached to the side of the bottom frame, and the top frame rests on top of the side frame.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps871fe4e4.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps9a298127.jpg

The top siding is on and I'm done for today. I'll post more soon.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps724d5524.jpg

Nice work - it looks like it will be really nice.

What are you doing to secure the compressor?

I've been trying to come up with an idea for that myself. I'm considering just putting a mesh screen over the place that houses it and just letting it rest on the floor. I may also try to anchor it into the plastic sheet that will serve as the floor, but not sure how much that will make a difference.

Cut out some of the foam insulation where the compressor is and bolt it under the bottom lip of the fridge, spanning under the compressor. Then bolt/screw the compressor down to the wood.

Or just put the original bracket back on and cut the insulation to fit.

Definitely do not turn it on until the compressor is secured.

Yeah... duh! :smack: What he said! lol

Thanks for the idea. I think I'll do that.

Glued the insulation to the top in the same manner as I did to the bottom and added the side panel that the fridge will not be on. The side frame is 1/4 " plywood.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psa37bdb6d.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psd951b2bc.jpg

Couldn't do much else today but wait for the glue to dry. I hate the waiting game. :(

ok, haven't been able to work on it in a while since I started my new job, but I got a good amount done today.

I put the fridge in place and the mounting cross beam to keep it secure. I also installed a white plastic lining on the floor. It will be installed on all the sides soon.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...pse0149ae2.jpg

I also used some silicone sealant for all of the cracks and corners. It should dry clear.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psfb91de65.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps0d2f165a.jpg

Well it's fully assembled now and I'll post pics soon but I hit a snag. The compressor is generating too much heat and the walls of the fridge are acting as a conductor and transferring the heat to the inside of the chamber. So the temp won't drop inside. I thought of pushing the fridge outside so the sides aren't inside the chamber at all but I would need to make a support for the fridge on the outside of the chamber and the whole thing would not be aesthetically pleasing. Only other things I thought of would require a lot more work. Anyone got any ideas for a possible solution?