Converting the Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft Chest Freezer

[Quaffer]

On popular request I have made a wiring diagram for the kegerator. Please let me know what you think, suggestions welcome.



I also have available a larger PNG image of the wiring diagram as well as a PDF version.

 

[crackhead7]

do you happen to have the origianl wiring diagram so one could compare the two? or is it just the black controller wire that replaced the yellow wire from the thermostat? then all the neutrals tied into the the neutral on the light?

 

[Quaffer]

do you happen to have the origianl wiring diagram so one could compare the two? or is it just the black controller wire that replaced the yellow wire from the thermostat? then all the neutrals tied into the the neutral on the light?

You got it. Also, the 6VDC supply input is connected in parallel with the compressor.
I do not have a wiring diagram before modification. On the first page are two pictures of the wiring in the compressor compartment, before and after. That might help.

 

[crackhead7]

yeah i went back to look at those, do you think that you could use a terminal block instead of the spliced connections of the neutrals, pretty much replacing the stock termianl block giving extra connections for the controller, i'm just thinking that i would like to be able to return the wirning back to the origial way it came at some point if i wanted.

 

[Quaffer]

yeah i went back to look at those, do you think that you could use a terminal block instead of the spliced connections of the neutrals, pretty much replacing the stock termianl block giving extra connections for the controller, i'm just thinking that i would like to be able to return the wirning back to the origial way it came at some point if i wanted.

Sure, you can do that.
I can return the wiring to like original by cutting off the white controller wire and white DC supply wire from the white splice and taping it up again, then removing the wire nut for the yellow compressor cable and reattach it to the original thermostat. It will be functionally identical, but not visually identical.

However, I think the freezer has increased in value as a kegerator so there would be no reason to return it to its original state.

 

[crackhead7]

your probably right about the value!! I think this me just being me and over thinking everything.

 

[Clark1]

On popular request I have made a wiring diagram for the kegerator. Please let me know what you think, suggestions welcome.

1) Is the Love temp controller just for the fan? Or was the yellow wire to the compressor originally connected the original thermostat? [Walk me through the theory of operation.]
2) Are those objects outside the compressor compartment; cable, controller, thermistor, fan, and fan cable, protected from user touch?
3) Is the compressor compartment secure from user touch?

 

[Quaffer]

1) Is the Love temp controller just for the fan? Or was the yellow wire to the compressor originally connected the original thermostat? [Walk me through the theory of operation.]
2) Are those objects outside the compressor compartment; cable, controller, thermistor, fan, and fan cable, protected from user touch?
3) Is the compressor compartment secure from user touch?

Clark, thanks for checking this out.

1. The thermostat used to feed the yellow wire of the compressor, you are correct. You could say that I inserted the Love controller in series with the thermostat so that we can control the temperature in the 40's (thermostat won't go above freezing), and still use the on/off function of the thermostat to shut down the system. The fan runs only when the compressor runs. This is so to avoid adding unnecessary heat inside the kegerator.

2. The fan can be touched by the user. It's gonna sting a bit (mechanically), but nobody gets injured. Fan cable can also be touched by the user, but it has only 7VDC or so in it; not dangerous. A crafty user with a thin knitting needle could perhaps poke the controller so to get a chock, but it is about as well protected as a standard wall outlet. I have the thermistor submerged in a glass of water to slow down its response to the user opening the door and similar events, so yes it is touchable but in my opinion harmless.

3. The compresor compartment is wide open in the rear but otherwise not touchable by the user. However, there's no exposed electrical wiring to touch. Everything is insulated. In this regard it is no different than the unmodified freezer.

 

[crackhead7]

one more question? Am I correct that you are using the the controller to switch the power to the wall wort verses useing a relay to switch the output of the wall wort?

 

[Quaffer]

one more question? Am I correct that you are using the the controller to switch the power to the wall wort verses useing a relay to switch the output of the wall wort?

That's correct. The controller can easily handle the wall wart in addition to the compressor.

 

[2puttbird]

Really great stuff, Quaffer (et al.) ... I've been planning to use the Frigidaire 7.2 for my project due to its perfect size and black color ... it's going to be sitting near my kitchen, right next to a server that is solid black with a reddish-mahagony top ... thus my original design concept was almost identical to yours, so I appreciate all of the information that you and others have posted in this thread.

Hop Head's completely skinned keezer (reply #100) has been tempting me to try the same thing, but discussions with SWMBO has me leaning toward a hybrid of the two projects ... leave the black freezer unskinned ... discard the lid and build a complete lid assembly with a nice top surface (thin quartz veneer or tile), using 1x6 for the sides and other lighter materials to keep the weight as low as possible ... and add a base with casters, surrounded by black (upside down) crown molding to give the unit mobility, hide the casters, match the aforementioned server, and add height to the unit.

Yep, this is all coming together ... thanks to everyone here for the inspiriation! Cheers!

 

[Quaffer]

Really great stuff, Quaffer (et al.) ... I've been planning to use the Frigidaire 7.2 for my project due to its perfect size and black color ... it's going to be sitting near my kitchen, right next to a server that is solid black with a reddish-mahagony top ... thus my original design concept was almost identical to yours, so I appreciate all of the information that you and others have posted in this thread.

Hop Head's completely skinned keezer (reply #100) has been tempting me to try the same thing, but discussions with SWMBO has me leaning toward a hybrid of the two projects ... leave the black freezer unskinned ... discard the lid and build a complete lid assembly with a nice top surface (thin quartz veneer or tile), using 1x6 for the sides and other lighter materials to keep the weight as low as possible ... and add a base with casters, surrounded by black (upside down) crown molding to give the unit mobility, hide the casters, match the aforementioned server, and add height to the unit.

Yep, this is all coming together ... thanks to everyone here for the inspiriation! Cheers!

Sounds like a great project. We all would like to see pictures of the result. Cheers!

 

[Clark1]

The inside of Quaffer's box reminds me of 1972 I was 21 and got a job as a bartender at Shakey's Pizza for $2/hour.

When the beer tap went dry, I was to go in the walk in cooler and take the empty keg off the shelf and lift up a full one. I weighed 135 pounds, and there was some serious huffing and puffing for me to get a full keg up on a 5' high shelf.

A few nights later, a call came for me to be a substitute bar tender at a much bigger Skakey's with a dozen employees. When I got there, they expected me to be manager, so I faked it.
Then we lost CO2 to the beer.
One of the employees asked me what to do.
I was like a computerized psychiatrist, in that I turned the question around.
"What are your options?" I asked.
The employee suggested, "We could hook up one of the soda pop CO2 tanks to the beer."
I said, "Let's try that."
The guy found a crescent wrench somewhere and did it.
We had beer for the rest of the night, and no one ever figured out that I knew nothing.

 

[Quaffer]

The inside of Quaffer's box reminds me of 1972 I was 21 and got a job as a bartender at Shakey's Pizza for $2/hour.

When the beer tap went dry, I was to go in the walk in cooler and take the empty keg off the shelf and lift up a full one. I weighed 135 pounds, and there was some serious huffing and puffing for me to get a full keg up on a 5' high shelf.

A few nights later, a call came for me to be a substitute bar tender at a much bigger Skakey's with a dozen employees. When I got there, they expected me to be manager, so I faked it.
Then we lost CO2 to the beer.
One of the employees asked me what to do.
I was like a computerized psychiatrist, in that I turned the question around.
"What are your options?" I asked.
The employee suggested, "We could hook up one of the soda pop CO2 tanks to the beer."
I said, "Let's try that."
The guy found a crescent wrench somewhere and did it.
We had beer for the rest of the night, and no one ever figured out that I knew nothing.

Lifting 135 pounds five feet up!? Nowadays OSHA would have something to say about that, I am sure. I would have to go home with a herniated disk if I attempted this feat.

 

[Cacaman]

Hey Quaffer, thanks for the thread and all the cool ideas; I'm making my own this weekend out of a 5 ft freezer, and am getting a lot of my ideas from here. Just one question though (apologies in advance if it has already been answered somewhere in the past 20 pg's), how did you attach the drip tray and cap catcher? Thanks in advance!

 

[MW66]

Hey Quaffer, thanks for the thread and all the cool ideas; I'm making my own this weekend out of a 5 ft freezer, and am getting a lot of my ideas from here. Just one question though (apologies in advance if it has already been answered somewhere in the past 20 pg's), how did you attach the drip tray and cap catcher? Thanks in advance!

I'm sure Quaffer will give you an answer, but some people use two sided adhesive tape while others use magnets. I plan to find stainless steel brackets and use velcro to attach to the underside of the drip tray and then use rare earth magnets to hold the brackets to the keezer. I plan to use magnets with my cap catcher too.

 

[Quaffer]

Hey Quaffer, thanks for the thread and all the cool ideas; I'm making my own this weekend out of a 5 ft freezer, and am getting a lot of my ideas from here. Just one question though (apologies in advance if it has already been answered somewhere in the past 20 pg's), how did you attach the drip tray and cap catcher? Thanks in advance!

I described it in this post. Also click on the Amazon link there to see what it looks like. I used the same tape for the cap cathcer. It is a permanent install, so be carefull lining it up right.

 

[Cacaman]

Thanks!! It's so simple but I never thought of using magnets. I'll use that for now, if it's not stable enough I'll go with quaffer's solution. Thanks guys!

 

[wetchicken6]

looks great. Does it fit the 4-5gallon kegs or 2 half barrels.

 

[Quaffer]

looks great. Does it fit the 4-5gallon kegs or 2 half barrels.

I don't know if the half-barrel kegs will fit, but four or five 5-gallon Cornies will. I do know that it will be quite the feat of strength to lift a full Sanke keg into the kegerator, no matter how the lid is hinged. I'm thinking a winch from the rafters will do it, or a very strong buddy that will do it for a couple of beers.

 

[HOP-HEAD]

Really great stuff, Quaffer (et al.) ... I've been planning to use the Frigidaire 7.2 for my project due to its perfect size and black color ... it's going to be sitting near my kitchen, right next to a server that is solid black with a reddish-mahagony top ... thus my original design concept was almost identical to yours, so I appreciate all of the information that you and others have posted in this thread.

Hop Head's completely skinned keezer (reply #100) has been tempting me to try the same thing, but discussions with SWMBO has me leaning toward a hybrid of the two projects ... leave the black freezer unskinned ... discard the lid and build a complete lid assembly with a nice top surface (thin quartz veneer or tile), using 1x6 for the sides and other lighter materials to keep the weight as low as possible ... and add a base with casters, surrounded by black (upside down) crown molding to give the unit mobility, hide the casters, match the aforementioned server, and add height to the unit.

Yep, this is all coming together ... thanks to everyone here for the inspiriation! Cheers!

Can't wait to see the pictures.... so get to it already....

 

[bob1852]

I would start my build; but of course my freezer was damaged during shipping. Ordered on-line from Lowes.com and rather then send it to the store closest to me; they sent it to one 200 miles away. Then they sub-contracted FedEx to deliver it; drove it to the wrong hub (170 miles from me in another direction). Finally got it today and the lid is bashed in two places.

 

[HOP-HEAD]

I would start my build; but of course my freezer was damaged during shipping. Ordered on-line from Lowes.com and rather then send it to the store closest to me; they sent it to one 200 miles away. Then they sub-contracted FedEx to deliver it; drove it to the wrong hub (170 miles from me in another direction). Finally got it today and the lid is bashed in two places.

You don't need their crappy lid anyway.... make your own...

 

[2puttbird]

I would start my build; but of course my freezer was damaged during shipping. [snip] ... the lid is bashed in two places.

I agree with Hop-Head ... I ordered the same freezer, also from Lowe's, and if you read the comments on Lowes site, it seems like your experience is anything but unique ... bit I'm planning to toss my lid anyway, so if was you I would do the same thing (and then tell them you'll take a huge discount instead of a new unit)! Cheers!

 

[Jota21]

Just make sure the unit works before you decide to keep it. If the lid is that mangled, there may be other damage to the mechanics of it.

 

[2puttbird]

Can't wait to see the pictures.... so get to it already....

Heh heh heh ... the freezer's on order, and I got some advice from the MM staff on the least expensive way to get what I want from their kit selection ... but waiting is definitely the hardest part ... my wife even suggested driving to KC (~120 miles) and finding places to buy everything (even at a premium) to avoid the shipping delays!

 

[horric29]

You don't need their crappy lid anyway.... make your own...

I think I was lucky... My freezer was just delivered, no problems with the physical aspects (short of the fact that the vent on the side by the compressor isn't really flush). I did have a hell of a time getting it though, ordered through Lowes and it came from a store an hour away when I had 6 closer stores... Oy vey Lowes! Waiting patiently on KegConnection to come through with the rest of the parts...

 

[MW66]

I was lucky. I ordered the black Frigidaire 7.2 over the summer and it sat in my basement until about 1 month ago. I did check out the lid when I received it, but not the sides, nor did I plug it in. However, it's perfect, so with all the reported dents and dings, I got lucky. I've been working on my collar for a while now because as a woodworker, I decided to wrap the hemlock 2 x 10 box in some awesome 1/8" birdseye maple I got off Ebay. I also turned my own tap handles from cocobolo and I made 1 in figured maple because I plan to dedicate 1 for soda and 3 for beer. I thought about waiting until the very end, but I might start a new thread with what I've accomplished so far. Uh.....yes, I'm over budget, but who really has a budget. If I don't add up the costs....then it does not exist.

 

[Quaffer]

I was lucky. I ordered the black Frigidaire 7.2 over the summer and it sat in my basement until about 1 month ago. I did check out the lid when I received it, but not the sides, nor did I plug it in. However, it's perfect, so with all the reported dents and dings, I got lucky. I've been working on my collar for a while now because as a woodworker, I decided to wrap the hemlock 2 x 10 box in some awesome 1/8" birdseye maple I got off Ebay. I also turned my own tap handles from cocobolo and I made 1 in figured maple because I plan to dedicate 1 for soda and 3 for beer. I thought about waiting until the very end, but I might start a new thread with what I've accomplished so far. Uh.....yes, I'm over budget, but who really has a budget. If I don't add up the costs....then it does not exist.

That is going to be one sweet kegerator! Budgets be damned, full speed ahead! Can't wait to see the result.

 

[BIGREDIOWAN]

It's a given that as men, we have to go over our budget. Lol