Converting the Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft Chest Freezer

[atli126]

http://www.blackboxbrew.com/store/ this is what i want to get in the future

 

[mark1765]

I hate to ask a dumb question, but does this one read in farenheit, and what does it mean flashed? I am getting ready to start my keezer build and I know that there is one out the that just reads in celcius, and there is another one out there that has a large number and the second number is smaller. I would really like to purchase the correct one the first time. Also what is the purpose for the dual sensor?

 

[hendo80]

I hate to ask a dumb question, but does this one read in farenheit, and what does it mean flashed? I am getting ready to start my keezer build and I know that there is one out the that just reads in celcius, and there is another one out there that has a large number and the second number is smaller. I would really like to purchase the correct one the first time. Also what is the purpose for the dual sensor?

Not a dumb question, a good question. These STC 1000 controllers come pretty cheap from China, but original firmware displays temps in Celcius. So industrious people figured out how to access the firmware, modify it to at a minimum show farenheit (and now much more) and then reprogram ("flash") the controller.

I just wired up one of the Celsius controllers and wish I would have bought a flashed one from blackbox or just picked up one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Fahrenheit/dp/B00OXPE8U6

Read the blackbox site for all of the functionality they provide with their flashing, and if you think you'll have the need for the advanced functionality they provide, then go for it. Otherwise, just go for the Inkbird controller. Make sure you follow the many tutorials on the internet on how to wire them up. Some of them conflict a bit, so study the instructions. Mine worked fine, first try, but it took me an hour to make sure I was interpreting everything correctly.

 

[mark1765]

Not a dumb question, a good question. These STC 1000 controllers come pretty cheap from China, but original firmware displays temps in Celcius. So industrious people figured out how to access the firmware, modify it to at a minimum show farenheit (and now much more) and then reprogram ("flash") the controller.

I just wired up one of the Celsius controllers and wish I would have bought a flashed one from blackbox or just picked up one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Fahrenheit/dp/B00OXPE8U6

Read the blackbox site for all of the functionality they provide with their flashing, and if you think you'll have the need for the advanced functionality they provide, then go for it. Otherwise, just go for the Inkbird controller. Make sure you follow the many tutorials on the internet on how to wire them up. Some of them conflict a bit, so study the instructions. Mine worked fine, first try, but it took me an hour to make sure I was interpreting everything correctly.

Why would you need one that has a heat setting and a cool setting for a keezer, or is that if you are building a fermenter?

 

[hendo80]

Why would you need one that has a heat setting and a cool setting for a keezer, or is that if you are building a fermenter?

Correct, you need heat only if you are using it for a fermenter as well. Some people have dual purpose keezers. Mine will be dual purpose, a fermentation chamber most of the time (what it is now). When I add a few taps to "keezer-ize" it, I can roll it out for a party on the patio when needed.

 

[TXANM]

Well my old kegerator died on me so it is time to build a new one. I really liked my old one too... Moving on.

I can not find a black chest freezer anywhere. I see somebody painted on, but I just want to get one already in black. Has anybody recently purchased a black chest freezer and where did you find it?

 

[wambizzle]

Walmart sells a 7.1 igloo for roughly 200 online. I used it for mine and had it shipped to store so no extra shipping charges

 

[TXANM]

Thanks! I exhaustively search and that is the only one that is around anymore it looks like. It is a 7.2 ft^3 Igloo in Black and it is $249 right now.

I wonder why they don't offer more chest freezers in black.

 

[wambizzle]

Bestbuy also offers some in black but the pricing wasn't right

 

[Otis1031]

Was at my local Sears Hardware store last week and they had a black 7.2cu ft chest freezer on display.

 

[Eisendrath]

I was telling a newbee kegger about this forum and particularly this thread today and want to thank all for what it has helped me with.
Ike.

 

[TheFlatLander]

I hate to ask a dumb question, but does this one read in farenheit, and what does it mean flashed? I am getting ready to start my keezer build and I know that there is one out the that just reads in celcius, and there is another one out there that has a large number and the second number is smaller. I would really like to purchase the correct one the first time. Also what is the purpose for the dual sensor?

Here is the one I used for my ferm chamber build. I plan on using the same one on my keezer build this month.

http://tinyurl.com/j973ghe

 

[drifter001]

Planning on doing a build soon. Def gonna use this as a guide. Love everything about it!

 

[Pappy1949]

Though I studied basic electronic (46 years ago) lol, I had difficulty understanding the wiring. I used the pictures you had included and give detailed informations which makes it clear. My Keezer is also a Frigidaire and my frien is also putting one together and he asked me to send you the pictures I had modified for him. Lots of people are using your design. I love it.
Hope this can be usefull.
Regards
Michael

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

Great Build

 

[BrewBrains]

.

 

[Eisendrath]

.

Love this old thread. I have suggested it to many a friend building a keezer.
Here is my new question. I built this years ago and frequently have to soak up condensation at it's bottom. If I don't I get mold. Has anyone found an easy way to deal with this common issue with all kegerators and keezers, other that going with a frost free unit to start with?

 

[Robin0782]

Eisendrath - I can't answer your question. But I am currently developing a plan to build a 4 tap keezer. I might not have seen this thread if you hadn't pulled it up. So thank you! An awesome build and a very detailed, incredibly helpful thread.

 

[WhiteSoxRob]

Love this old thread. I have suggested it to many a friend building a keezer.
Here is my new question. I built this years ago and frequently have to soak up condensation at it's bottom. If I don't I get mold. Has anyone found an easy way to deal with this common issue with all kegerators and keezers, other that going with a frost free unit to start with?

The best and most common way is to stick a couple renewable dehumidifiers in the keezer. Most people use Eva-dry E-500. There are little pellets inside that absorb moisture and turn from orange colored to blue. When they are blue-ish, you just plug it in to an outlet for 24 hours and the pellets dry and go back to orange.

 

[peter78]

Here is my take on it:

Can’t seem to find a decent acrylic catcher for the bottle caps, like in the original post. Anyone knows where I can get one?

 

[JoeF]

For the bottle cap catcher maybe you can modify something like this.
Card Holder