A419 + Chest Freezer Safety?

[Omahawk]

I have a ~9 year old chest freezer that I’m planning to use as a fermentation chamber / beer fridge. I have an A419 that I’d like to use to keep the freezer at my desired temp. I have it rigged up currently in the garage, and 24 hours in the controller is doing its job. I’m moving it from the garage to a basement storage room, and I’m not very sophisticated about electrical issues.

Anything I should be concerned about? Should it be hooked up to a GFCI?

Also, by responding to this thread, I release you from any liability.

Thanks.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Its plug and play. I don't use my chest freezers on a GFCI just as I don't run any other major appliance on one. That's what breakers are for that I've never tripped

 

[Omahawk]

Its plug and play. I don't use my chest freezers on a GFCI just as I don't run any other major appliance on one. That's what breakers are for that I've never tripped

Our house is only 5 years old, and I’ve noticed my breakers are pretty sensitive.i suppose that’s good.

 

[day_trippr]

As long as the GFCI outlet was wired properly there should not be any problem with or without a properly connected A419 (or any other external/add-on controller)...

 

[Nagorg]

Frost-Free freezers have a defrost cycle that *can* trip a GFCI. I had this problem with an upright freezer I use as a ferm chamber. I thought it might have been a weak CGFI so I replaced it but still had the problem. So, I ran a new leg with a non-GFCI outlet for my ferm chamber and haven't had any issues since.

It's worth noting that I had a smaller upright freezer that never did trip the GFCI. I didn't start having trouble until I got a bigger one for my conical. The problem could be with my upright freezer but regardless, it was a problem.

FWIW, the manual for my frost free upright freezer has this to say about the power source:
"Receptacles with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are NOT RECOMMENDED. "

 

[day_trippr]

You would not be able to install that unit in my town. The code here now requires Ground Fault/Arc Fault breakers on appliances.
I consented to a major remodeling and had to have a crap load of 1970s wiring done over and a new box installed to house the longer breakers...

 

[Nagorg]

It is a common problem I found after researching what might be causing mine to trip the GFCI. And there's plenty of folks that seem passionate on the topic in favor of using a GFCI with these appliances. Yet, the manufacturer still does not recommend it!

I also read that I can disable the defrost timer by routing power away from it. I may do this someday but that wouldn't be practical for someone actually using it as a freezer.

For now, its on a non-GFCI circuit with no probs...

 

[Omahawk]

Thanks, all. It is not a frost-free freezer. I actually have two different storage rooms to choose from. Interestingly enough, there is a GFCI in one room and a non-GFCI in the other. I’ll try it in the GFCI first and see how it goes.

 

[MaryB]

To stop rust make sure your freezer is up on some boards! Right on concrete seems to make them rust faster...