Converting the Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft Chest Freezer

[rgauthier20420]

I recently started my keezer build and had to paint from white to black. I used the appliance epoxy paint at a local Menards for it. Went through about 2 cans of it only. It's done, but I've got a great picture of just after it was finished with the second coat.

If anyone knows the show, it looks like a scene out of Dexter on Showtime.....

 

[tommyonegun]

Lookin like a Dexter protege.

 

[photo_sports]

Is the thermostat control really needed if the freezer comes with a basic dial adjustment. Has anyone used the johnson control that you plug the freezer into or is it best to stick with the love thermostat. I also found some on amazon for about $20 do I dare trust them?

 

[2puttbird]

Is the thermostat control really needed if the freezer comes with a basic dial adjustment. Has anyone used the johnson control that you plug the freezer into or is it best to stick with the love thermostat. I also found some on amazon for about $20 do I dare trust them?

Yes, it's definitely needed. The freezer is designed to operate at temperatures that will freeze the beer, so when you use a freezer for a kegerator you need to make accommodations for that. Some have replaced the existing control circuit, but most use a supplemental control. Many of us built our own using an aquarium temperature controller that you can buy in eBay for $20-$25, which ends up costing about $35-$40 in the end. Sorry that I don't have the link handy in the android app, but there's a mammoth thread that has all of the details you'll need in the first few pages. Good luck!

 

[rgauthier20420]

Is the thermostat control really needed if the freezer comes with a basic dial adjustment. Has anyone used the johnson control that you plug the freezer into or is it best to stick with the love thermostat. I also found some on amazon for about $20 do I dare trust them?

I'd been looking for this thread to give. Give it a try. It's very easy and I've had a number of my friends do this with success. It eliminates the need to drill a hole in your collar and is pretty darn accurate.

Good luck!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/gu...mostat-32f-eliminate-external-control-249612/

 

[buildzit]

Here's the link for the aquarium temp controller

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/

and the link to the seller most have bought from

http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-purpose...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369717de0#shId

 

[rgauthier20420]

I need some feeback please. So I've already built the keezer dolly, collar, and in the process of finishing the top out of wood. Now my lady is commenting that it doesn't fit as well as she'd hoped with the room, and we are looking at painting all the wood white (to match the bottom half of the room). Since I've already painted the damn thing black with the epoxy spray paint, I'm not about to make that mess again. So I'm thinking of glueing a piece a 1/4 in sanded plywood to the sides and painting that. I'm expecting that the plywood would still be thin enough to allow for the heat exchange for the coils. What do yall think?

 

[chiefwigms]

question for you guys - so i've been running this thing for like 8 months now, and just removed my first two kegs. When I looked at the bottom, there seemed to be orange crud all around the corners - I thought some beer might have leaked from one of my taps, but it turns out its on the hump corners too. I have an eva-dry in there, but nothing else - it doesn't look like mold either. Anyone? I scrubbed around with bleach/chlorine, but there is still some junk around.

 

[BiteSize]

question for you guys - so i've been running this thing for like 8 months now, and just removed my first two kegs. When I looked at the bottom, there seemed to be orange crud all around the corners - I thought some beer might have leaked from one of my taps, but it turns out its on the hump corners too. I have an eva-dry in there, but nothing else - it doesn't look like mold either. Anyone? I scrubbed around with bleach/chlorine, but there is still some junk around.

I too have run into this problem. I've just come to accept it. I clean it out with bleach every few months buy never get it back to its original state. I think it may be rust forming from condensation inside. I also have an eva-dry and some damp rid containers. It doesn't affect the beer though, so cheers!

 

[grainbill]

excellent photos and details, thanks

 

[MooMooBrew]

I too have run into this problem. I've just come to accept it. I clean it out with bleach every few months buy never get it back to its original state. I think it may be rust forming from condensation inside. I also have an eva-dry and some damp rid containers. It doesn't affect the beer though, so cheers!

Just don't leave the bleach in there it will corrode your regulators.

 

[TBaGZ]

sub

 

[libirm]

Quaffer-
Could I ask how far down from the top of the collar did you drill your holes for the shaft?
As you did I want them as high as possible.- Thanks for the great ideas and build.

 

[loudmouthbrewer]

Another inspired member; Great job:rockin:. Time to add Keezer to "the list." Bill of materials and links are an added bonus.

-cheers

 

[jgweataj]

j

 

[jgweataj]

Thanks for such a great detailed post!! I know this is from 3 years ago, but I'm hoping you still are able to respond. How did you attach the strongtie to the bottom of the keezer? I'm trying to put casters on the bottom of a very similar freezer and definitely need the reinforcement.

Thanks!!

 

[Quaffer]

I very carefully drilled holes through the frame into the insulation. Then I took a small screwdriver and poked around inside to make sure I would not run into a refrigerant tube. The screws are 1" long sheet metal screws.

On the compressor side I used bolts and nuts since the back of the frame is easily available there.

See also post #355

Thanks for such a great detailed post!! I know this is from 3 years ago, but I'm hoping you still are able to respond. How did you attach the strongtie to the bottom of the keezer? I'm trying to put casters on the bottom of a very similar freezer and definitely need the reinforcement.

Thanks!!

 

[jgweataj]

I very carefully drilled holes through the frame into the insulation. Then I took a small screwdriver and poked around inside to make sure I would not run into a refrigerant tube. The screws are 1" long sheet metal screws.

On the compressor side I used bolts and nuts since the back of the frame is easily available there.

See also post #355

I'm using 1" self tapping metal to metal screws with some strong tie. I need to get some steel bar for the compressor side and a drill bit for the bolts. I haven't done much metal work so I'm definitely worried about damaging the freezer. Thanks for the help!

 

[mikewildt]

(Can't figure out how to delete this post).

 

[atli126]

Major components:

• Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft chest freezer, black, from Lowes
• 2x8 western hemlock lumber (HemFir), Home Depot
• Zinsser wood stain Cabernet, Lowes (I cannot find it anymore)
• Minwax polyurethane, clear semi-gloss, Lowes
• 3" polyurethane rigid caster, Harbor Freight Tools
• 3" Polyurethane swivel caster with lock, Harbor Freight Tools
• 2 keg kegerator kit with dual regulator, 5# CO2 tank, hoses w. disconnects, Kegconnection's Ebay store
• 4-way CO2 gas distribution manifold, HomeBrewStuff.com
• 2-way CO2 gas distribution manifold, HomeBrewStuff.com
• Love Temperature controller, TSX-10140, Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
• Masscool 120mm computer fan, MP3SuperStore on Ebay
• Perlick Perl Forward Sealing Faucet (525SS), Austin Homebrew Supply
• 3" stainless steel beer shanks, brauman59 on Ebay
• Starr bottle opener "Home Brewed" with clear bottle cap catcher, Kegconnection's Ebay store
• 19.25" Stainless steel drip tray, Ebay
• 1.5" Rigid foamboard panels, Home Depot
• PL300 Foamboard adhesive, Home Depot

this is awesome! thanks

 

[FLfireman]

Here I have run an electrical cable from the temperature controller site, around the corner and towards the back of the collar. Cable clips hold the cable in place.

The Love temperature controller is hanging from its wires. On the right are two wires for the temperature sensor, on the left are three wires for 110VAC electrical power and the relay output. White is neutral, black is live, a green jumper connects the live to one of the relay switch terminals, and the final green wire carries the switched power down to the compressor.

Here is the compressor compartment with wiring before modification. I have a wall bug laying loose on the frame which will eventually power the internal fan. Incoming power cord from a wall outlet can be seen on the left. The green wire is ground and attaches to the frame. The white wire is neutral and is spliced to the compressor and the power-on light on the front of the freezer. The barely visible black wire is live 110VAC which is spliced to the original thermostat in the foreground and to the power-on light. The cable from the Love controller is coiled up on top of the compressor.

This is the picture after modifying the wiring. I spliced the white neutral wire using a solder junction. One of the white wires go to the Love controller, the other is soldered to one of the wall bug prongs and then wrapped in electrical tape. The wall bug is secured to the frame with several turns of electrical tape. The live wire is, as previous, connected to the original thermostat, the other thermostat terminal feeds the Love controller via the black wire in the cable. This way I can use the original thermostat like a switch to power down the system.

The Love controller provides switched power on the green wire which is connected by a yellow wire nut to the compressor and to the last prong on the wall bug. This allows the fan to run when the compressor runs, and stop when the compressor stops. I like this rather than having it run all the time because the electrical energy given to the fan is dissipated as heat inside the kegerator, making it less efficient.

The wall bug is a 6V DC unregulated model which outputs 7.7V DC when connected to my 12V fan. I found this to be ideal because the fan is very powerful, and unnecessarily so at 12V. We need just a moderate breeze from the fan to circulate the air in the kegerator.

I keep a partially filled glass of water in the fridge for the temperature sensor. This helps to slow down fast temperature fluctuations as I open the lid or the fan starting. If we have too much water in the glass it slows down the controller's response to temperature change too much and it will undershoot the set temperature.

Great post. I'm planning mine. I see a white is soldered to one side of wall bug. What is on the other? Any diagrams are appreciated.

 

[shemp]

Thanks for taking the time to explain everything in detail.

 

[wininger07]

Holy smokes batman! I found this keezer listed on Google images under keezer designs and to my delight you have posted all the instructions. If you were here I would kiss you right on the mouth. Thank you so much for the time and energy you have put into this build and this thread. I will be using many if not all of your designs for my first build. I have been obsessing over my first build and can't wait to get started. Thanks again.

 

[JonP121]

Hey, what parts did you use to plumb the gas lines through the collar? I'd like to do this instead of running the line straight through and was hoping you could tell me what pieces were used and sizes. I've been considering using a round nipple with threads at each end through the collar the attaching elbows or something to connect swivel nuts to on the inside and outside.

 

[aviator01]

Here was my attempt at a Keezer with this freezer. Works great so far.

 

[hendo80]

This just goes to show you how a post can keep on giving after what, four years? I looked at the beginning of the post and thought, man, how would my white Costco freezer look, then skipped to the back and there was a great example!

Mine will be more outdoor party friendly, i.e. not quite as finished as the original, given that I keep it in the garage as a fermentation chamber right now. I'll want to drop in a tank and attach the taps for an instant party on the patio.

Here was my attempt at a Keezer with this freezer. Works great so far.

 

[aviator01]

Sorry for the inverted pics. I didn't even notice until today.

 

[wambizzle]

First off let me say this thread has given me more information than i could ever ask for. My question is as far as a temperature controller which model should i buy if i want to just keep it basic without changing any wiring if thats possible?

 

[atli126]

I bought the cheap basic Grey analog box. It's great. Set it and forget it

 

[SlickWilly]

First off let me say this thread has given me more information than i could ever ask for. My question is as far as a temperature controller which model should i buy if i want to just keep it basic without changing any wiring if thats possible?

I have 2 of these and they work great. Just plug it into the wall and then plug the kegerator right into it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002EAL58/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20