Condensation on keezer collar?

[bendog15]

Is it a bad thing? New keezer build- 7.2 cubic chest freezer. Collar made of 6x2 oak. 3 coats of stain on it and 3 coats of polyurethane sealer. Even shot liquid foam into the mitered corners, covered w wood putty. Mounted collar w liquid nails and then a bead of silicone inside and out to finish.
I'm noticing a few things. The keezer kicks on A LOT (got it set to 38 degrees) about every hour or so. Is this normal? Also, today I noticed a lot of condensation on the outside of the collar. Not just around the taps either. I do live in a warmer area, room temp is prob around 80 degrees.

Yes I have a small fan running inside. There's still a lot of condensation inside and out. Yes I have a STC-1000 controller set to 38 degrees and default settings on the rest.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451604745.113008.jpg

 

[passedpawn]

You need insulation on the inside of the wood collar.

I keep my keezer outside, in FL. I don't get any condensation.

 

[wilserbrewer]

What's the humidity in the room? 80 degrees is pretty warm. Once an hour doesn't sound too bad I guess depending on how long it is running. What is your delta set at for it to kick on?

I switched to using a fridge with the freezer on the bottom after dealing with condensation using freezers.

If your in a warm humid area, keezers can sweat a lot IME.

Nice build !!!

 

[Chrisl77]

Ya I would get some 3/4 inch rigid foam insulation and some foil air duct tape. Cover all the wood on the inside with the foam and use the tape to seal all the edges and corners.

 

[bendog15]

Thanks passedpawn great idea Any type of insulation u recommend?View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451605703.682785.jpg
I was thinking of shooting more liquid expanding foam into the inside here, in the gap between the collar and the freezer too.

 

[heckels]

You can buy a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" rigid foam board insulation with foil backing for about $10-12 at your hardware store.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, cycle time will vary with the thermal mass inside the keezer.
With seven full kegs my keezer runs for 45 minutes every six hours.
Otoh, when it's down to say a gallon or two per keg it'll run for 25 minutes every three hours...

Cheers!

 

[raouliii]

Thanks passedpawn great idea Any type of insulation u recommend
I was thinking of shooting more liquid expanding foam into the inside here, in the gap between the collar and the freezer too.

Sealing the joints helps with air/humidity movement in/out of the freezer. IMO, the more pressing issue is that wood has a very low R-value (insulating value). The collar needs to be insulated. Two layers of 3/4" foam board extended down to the white plastic lip of the freezer, should help.

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks passedpawn great idea Any type of insulation u recommend?View attachment 326630
I was thinking of shooting more liquid expanding foam into the inside here, in the gap between the collar and the freezer too.

Like everyone else said, get a sheet of 3/4" insulation. Don't bother with Reflectix (if you know what that is), it won't work well. Don't buy plain white styrofoam, it's a freaking mess (ask me how I know )

Home Depot sells a gadget called a Kill-A-Watt. ~ $25. It will tell you how much power you use over a course of a month, and how much that power is costing you. Plug your chest freezer into it and you'll probably find out that the freezer is costing you less than $1 per month.

 

[bendog15]

Hey guys got my keezer collar all insulated w foam board couldn't be happier. Thanks for all the good advice and help. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1452079594.802383.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1452079608.952308.jpg
Took my time and got all the pieces nice and clean. Used liquid nails to glue it to the collar.