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Bowtiebrewery · 05-12-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hang Glider

Quick and easy waterproof for probes:
I have this roll of duct tape - the real stuff that HVAC uses, adhesive backed foil, NOT the cloth stuff. One simple fold-over on the probe.

That would not be a sanitary solution to use in fermenting wort though... I have used that stuff all the time... I've worked in the duct cleaning business...

Why are you submerging your temp probe? Ambient is not that far off once your freezer and liquid have equalized... I think I even heard many people say that putting the probe in liquid is not recommended...

Definitely go with what your heart says on this matter but I would not recommend submerging any probe into a liquid unless it was designed for that inherent reason.

Joe C · 05-12-2009, 04:21 PM

I simply did it just to test the temp probe, this wasn't a static solution.

**Yambor44** · 05-12-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowtiebrewery

That would not be a sanitary solution to use in fermenting wort though... I have used that stuff all the time... I've worked in the duct cleaning business...

Why are you submerging your temp probe? Ambient is not that far off once your freezer and liquid have equalized... I think I even heard many people say that putting the probe in liquid is not recommended...

Definitely go with what your heart says on this matter but I would not recommend submerging any probe into a liquid unless it was designed for that inherent reason.

Thats what I have found with my setup.

I have a analog temperature control unit with a brass type one peice temp probe that I keep in a glass jar with sanitized water in it. In that same glass jar I have the first half of a calibrated digital themometer also. Then....I have another Digital Thermometer just hanging in my freezer at about mid level of my buckets/carboys.

Once the water chilled to 59-61 degrees, both the liquid and ambient temps stay the same when the compressor is not running. Once the compressor kicks on, the ambient drops to about 56, the liquid drops from 60 to 59. Then once the compressor shuts off, they equalize out again at about 60-61.

**IrregularPulse** · 05-13-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowtiebrewery

That would not be a sanitary solution to use in fermenting wort though... I have used that stuff all the time... I've worked in the duct cleaning business...

Why are you submerging your temp probe? Ambient is not that far off once your freezer and liquid have equalized... I think I even heard many people say that putting the probe in liquid is not recommended...

Definitely go with what your heart says on this matter but I would not recommend submerging any probe into a liquid unless it was designed for that inherent reason.

There is no reason for this probe to be sanitary. It's for a Kegerator, not fermentor.
And the more exact you can get it the better. Ambient can be much different than the actual beer depending on where in the keezer the probe is located. My probe wire is too short to reach the bottom of my keezer so there is quite a difference in temp change with being submerged.

Bowtiebrewery · 05-13-2009, 05:08 PM

I have a pretty large Chest freezer and was curious about the temperature varience from top to bottom.. so I used 4 digital thermometers in there to see what the difference is... Amazingly the bottom was only about 2 degrees colder than the top... if that... I find that the only time you have a huge difference from top to bottom is if you build a collar and don't insulate it. My previous freezer was plagued by this problem.

Also another thing that I noticed is if you place the probe about 3/4 -1/2 the way down the side of the keg you will be almost spot on every time...

android · 05-13-2009, 06:55 PM

dude, sweet a$$ kegerator! can't wait to see the tartan plaid on it when it's done! keep it up.

**Yambor44** · 05-17-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowtiebrewery

I have a pretty large Chest freezer and was curious about the temperature varience from top to bottom.. so I used 4 digital thermometers in there to see what the difference is... Amazingly the bottom was only about 2 degrees colder than the top... if that... I find that the only time you have a huge difference from top to bottom is if you build a collar and don't insulate it. My previous freezer was plagued by this problem.

Also another thing that I noticed is if you place the probe about 3/4 -1/2 the way down the side of the keg you will be almost spot on every time...

You can also add a computer type fan in there to keep the air moving. I have one and it just sits on the compressor hump. Runs all the time which halps keep my compressor from starting or stopping from a hot or cold spot.

You can see it sitting in the bottom here.

Joe C · 05-18-2009, 09:40 PM

Well, quick update.
I've been insanely busy working 12+ days in a row, so I really haven't made any progress.

Because of the humidity in my house, we are having a hard time with surface rust actually coming through the paint. It is making visible dark spots in the paint. While it's clearly not spreading, it's visible in the paint and I don't want that to happen.

I'm picking up what is called "Rust Doctor" to re-prime the fridge. Here's some information on it here...
Rust Removal Products Rust Repair Rust Converter Rust Stain Removal Stop Rust

In the meantime, I will be starting to get the inside portions of the freezer situated.

**Seabee John** · 05-19-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe C

I'm surprised no one else brought it up, but You are not only a luck man to have such a nice keezer, but also to have an SWMBO who belongs in the fight club....

lucky man indeed!

Great build BTW, can't wait to see it finished....

Joe C · 05-19-2009, 06:38 PM

Thanks on all accounts. I'll tell you now though that'll never happen.