Christmas Kegs -> Keezer Build

[jgibbs]

Santa came early and brought me a 4 keg setup from Kegconnection

My problem now was that I needed a keggerator but I didn't want to use my fermentation freezer. I found a 9cuft upright freezer on craigslist, I decided to use this as my fermentation freezer and my chest freezer as a kegerator. I can fit 4 kegs in the freezer but there is no room for my 20# CO2 tank (I swapped for a larger tank at a welding supply shop).

So I decided to make a collar to bring in the air and eventually I will install faucets. I decided to route a lip on some 2x4s, miter and glue.

I used some appliance epoxy spray paint for a glossy and waterproof (and cheap) finish. I built it to fit snuggly on the top of the freezer and mounted the hinges. I made an air proof seal with some silicone caulk.

Here it is closed up with CO2 and home made temperature controller.

The controller displays current temp, set point, number of times the compressor has cycled and the min/max temperature.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Nice temp controller. What'd you use?

 

[jgibbs]

I used a PIC16F684 (i have used for many other projects). A DPDT relay for switching and a glass bead thermistor for temperature sensing. I bring the temperature probe through the drain hole in the bottom of the freezer.

 

[Teufelhunden]

Like your idea with routing the collar! I am trying to score a freezer off of craigs list and will use the router on my collar. What is the offset of your collar?

 

[jgibbs]

I used a 1" cutting bit set about .25" deep or so. Here is a close up of a test piece.

 

[Teufelhunden]

I used a 1" cutting bit set about .25" deep or so. Here is a close up of a test piece.

This is perfec! Thanks.

 

[jgibbs]

I just got some perlick faucets for my birthday. I put one in and used a family heirloom tap handle. I didn't have the right size drill bit but I made it work. Just tapped my keg of a hoppy rye pale ale, it turned out excellent.

 

[philrose]

Not to detract from the sweet build but that first picture is begging for an "I can has draft equipment" caption.

Nice collar!

 

[Jaysus]

I just got some perlick faucets for my birthday. I put one in and used a family heirloom tap handle. I didn't have the right size drill bit but I made it work. Just tapped my keg of a hoppy rye pale ale, it turned out excellent.

I dig that tap handle!

I recently inherited a couple heirloom tap handles too