Arduino Controlled Coffin Keezer

[CRJbrewer]

Hi All,

This is my first post on Homebrewtalk. I just wanted to share my latest build with everyone. It really is no different then any other coffin keezer with an exception to the Arduino temperature controller. Here are a few pictures of the build.

I found a cheap Craigslist Freezer for and went about building the surround.

A picture with the tower on it.

SWMBO agreed to this build as long as she could make it "Look Cool". To her this means that she will distress the wood work and paint. To me this means that I get to keep my beer in the living room:rockin:

The keezer fits a total of 5 cornelius ball lock kegs. a total of 4 5 gallon kegs and a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.

We picked up some SS tile for the top and a nice mosaic for the backsplash. I also picked up a 19 inch led strip from Lows. I can turn the led's on and off with a switch on the back of the tower and also over the web via the Arduino.

A picture of the insides. I have since added my Raspberry Pi (Not in the picture). The Pi also doubles as my local web server for my tap list and my media server for the house. Eventually the Arduino will track my keg quantities and report this information to my tap list, but I have not yet purchased the flow sensors for each keg line.

I added the steel corners and moved it into the house.

After adding my logo and a little more distressing.

This project has been a lot of fun. We just moved back from Malaysia where home brewing was illegal so I have a couple years of brewing to catch up on. Its time to get brewing!

 

[Smitty49686]

That is freaking awesome. Nice build


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[TimL]

Great looking build! How did you put the logo on? Just freehand drawing?


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[Bigdaddyale]

looks good I would be concerned about covering up the vent holes for the compressor

 

[beernutz]

That is such an attractive and unique build, well done sir!

 

[day_trippr]

Very handsome build. Nicely done

What sketch are you running on the Arduino?

Cheers!

 

[CRJbrewer]

Thanks for the comments.

Bigdaddyale, I don't think covering the vent on the right of the keezer will be a problem. I looked into it when I was building the surround. The venting on the chest freezer opened to the back. the back is still open so the compressed should get enough air.

 

[CRJbrewer]

TimL. Thanks for the comments.

I designed the logo in Illustrator and went over to a local sign shop and had them cut the logo in a low tac vinyl. SWMBO took the vinyl logo and tacked it on the front of the keezer and used it as a stencil. When she was done painting she removed the vinyl and distressed the logo with a bit of sand paper.

 

[CRJbrewer]

day_trippr

I would be open to posting the code on this form but I'm not really sure how to do that. if you would like the code just PM me and I would be happy to send it over to you. I think it is pretty well commented but if you have any questions with it, just let me know and I would be happy to help.

 

[day_trippr]

Thanks very much for the kind offer.

We have a handful of long-running home-brewed Arduino, TeensyPi and RPi controller projects here on HBT (and that's not even including what's going on in the Automated Brewing forum) and I enjoy seeing what different folks have come up with in that space.

I have RaspberryPints and BrewPi running on an RPi with an AlaMode on top for flow meter support and an Uno hooked up via USB for temperature control, that's already providing my tap list display and a five channel temperature logger - all internet accessible - and it will be running my keezer as soon as I finish up the build.

If you have something cool cooking and ever want to share, I'm sure a dedicated thread would get plenty of attention

Cheers!

 

[bja]

You need to open up the vent on the side. It's there for a reason.

 

[BrooklynTom]

Great looking build. I like the use of the pipes as taps.
The logo is a nice idea also. I can't wait to start mine..... soon, I hope

 

[CRJbrewer]

You need to open up the vent on the side. It's there for a reason.

bja. If you would have read the earlier comments you would see I addressed this issue. The keezer was originally designed to sit on the ground. After installing the casters, it was raised 2.5 inches off the ground. The compressor has air vents underneath and is wide open to the back. There is plenty of airflow.

If the keezer was sitting on the ground with its back against the wall I would agree with you. This is not the case.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

"CRJ" brewer..................As in "Canadair Regional Jet"?

I dig the build!

 

[CRJbrewer]

"CRJ" brewer..................As in "Canadair Regional Jet"?

I dig the build!

Yea... The good old CRJ. I should update my name to CL850brewer or BBD700brewer.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Yea... The good old CRJ. I should update my name to CL850brewer.

You fly them, or fix them?

 

[CRJbrewer]

Fly.. You?

 

[flash9]

Great Keezer Build - That looks so nice.

looks good I would be concerned about covering up the vent holes for the compressor

You need to open up the vent on the side. It's there for a reason.

bja. If you would have read the earlier comments you would see I addressed this issue. The keezer was originally designed to sit on the ground. After installing the casters, it was raised 2.5 inches off the ground. The compressor has air vents underneath and is wide open to the back. There is plenty of airflow.

If the keezer was sitting on the ground with its back against the wall I would agree with you. This is not the case.

You might be right about the compressor getting enough air flow, but the problem you will have is that freezers today do not have visible condenser coils like in the past. See the image below:

Now they embed the condenser coils in the outside walls of the freezer, just under the thin metal exterior skin. See the image below:

This Keezer will work, but you will most likely burn out the compressor early, due to the freezers inability to shed the heat in the little air space between the freezer exterior walls and the nice box you built. You might be able to install some cooling fans in the box and blow air around between the two. You might be able to make it so the fans only run when the compressor is running.

Best of luck.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Fly.. You?

I'm a "maintainer"...........Aircraft sheet metal type, for a major in Atl.

Years ago, I left the company "ASA", when we were just starting to get in CRJ's, 'bout 1997.