How to Convert a Chest Freezer to a Kegerator?

[pwndabear]

So we moved into our house a couple years ago and the people living there before us had a chest freezer that they left behind for us. They said that the thermostat on it was busted but other than that, it works fine and is relatively new.

I was excited to get this thing working and bought the replacement thermostat for it, however when i got to looking at the inner workings of the freezer unit, I got overwhelmed and couldnt quite figure out what to do. I'm sure with a little tinkering around and some general lurking, I can figure it out on my own (however, any advice you guys have to give would be greatly appreciated).

With that said, if I get this thing working again, is there a way to turn it from a straight up freezer into more of a fridge so that I can use it as a kegerator? It's been a while since I've looked at it so it could actually have a temp gauge that would bring temps above freezing, which would make this thread useless, but in case it doesnt have that option, my question stands. Any suggestions?

 

[celticcolorado]

You would just need to buy a temp controller for it. I use an analog Johnson controller but a lot of people prefer the digital. There are some good dealer on Rancos or Johnson on ebay. I think mine cost $25.00.

 

[TomSD]

Bypass the thermostat all together so that it is always on then buy an external thermostat like a Johnson Controls thermostat and use it instead. You will want the more accurate temp control and it is pretty easy to do. If you are more wiring inclined you can actually wire it into the freezer but that isn't necessary.

As for the keezer itself...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ge-7-cf-fcm7suww-keezer-conversion-192208/

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Search the word Keezer, grab a beer, sit back, and take it all in.

 

[pwndabear]

Bypass the thermostat all together so that it is always on then buy an external thermostat like a Johnson Controls thermostat and use it instead. You will want the more accurate temp control and it is pretty easy to do. If you are more wiring inclined you can actually wire it into the freezer but that isn't necessary.

So hooking up the Johnson Controls thermostat will replace the freezer thermostat entirely and change it from "freezing temperatures as controlled by the standard thermostate" to "cold temperatures as controlled by the Johnson Thermostat," effectively turning a freezer into a fridge... cool (no pun intended).

Wouldn't I have to wire this Johnson Control into the freezer anyways so it can actually control it?

*edit* i also see that there are a LOT of johnson controls thermostats. any suggestions as to which one to get?

 

[TomSD]

No the electrically challenged way to do it is to just use the controller externally. It will connect to the wall then the freezer will connect to it. Crank the freezer up all the way and set the external thermostat how you want it. The external thermostat will turn the freezer on and off as needed to maintain the temperature inside.

In your case if the existing thermostat is bad you will probably have to bypass it. Does it cool at all? If not or if it doesn't cool below your target temp then you need to just take it out and bypass it. Should be as simple as removing it and capping the correct wires together.

 

[TomSD]

Here is my Johnson controller to show you what I mean. The controller is mounted outside the freezer and the sensor (wire coming out the bottom right) is run into the freezer. The freezer plugs into the controller and the controller tells it when to turn on and off.

The one you get will look a little different since I rewired mine but the effect is the same. I just rearranged cords and gave myself an extra plug.

 

[pwndabear]

im beginning to understand more now.

The freezer HAS cooled, and actually froze a glass of water when i tried it out, but my concern was that the busted thermostat wouldnt recognize proper temperatures.

Thus, with this new controller in place, i'll be basically tossing that old thermostat and making this freezer be "on" all the time which is where the temp control comes in and turns it on and off, like you said. Thing is, how does the freezer connect to the controller? This is where I am getting confused, since doesnt the controller have to be directly connected to the freezing unit underneath the freezer to see what it's doing and grab a temp reading?

*edit* i think i just figured it out by looking at your pic. Correct me if I am wrong: the Johnson Control isn't an internal thermostat, persay, like the one that is currently busted on my freezer. It is essentially something the freezer plugs into that is, in turn, plugged into the wall. There is a temp gauge on the thermostat that will turn off the freezer by the direct CORD rather than turning the freezer off from internal means????

*editedit* yes, i realize now that i am repeating everything you say after going back up and reading again and again what you are posting.

 

[TomSD]

Even easier if the thing freezes on its own. No need to rewire anything. Plug in the new controller, plug the freezer into it, drop the probe in the freezer and program the temps you want.

Correct on all points... you've got it now.

 

[pwndabear]

my concern is that the current thermostat would recognize the temp to be lower than it actually is and turn the unit off. I will be removing the piece all together so that it can't say it's colder than it actually is. THANK YOU FOR THE HELP!

 

[TomSD]

No need to remove it... if the current thermostat freezes water it runs cold enough to do the job. Whenever the external controller gives the freezer power it will turn on and realize the freezer isn't cold enough and start cooling. The external will see that the freezer is cool enough long before everything freezes and turn the power to the freezer back off.

Your only concern should be that the freezer, without a controller attached, freezes or at the very least gets colder than what you want. From there an external controller can do all the grunt work.

As for which one to use there are digital, analog, generics, aquarium thermostats, etc all kinds of thermostats you can use. I prefer the analog controller for a keezer since they are typically cheaper and I don't need the same amount of control as I would with a fermentation chamber.

Pretty sure chi company (think that is their name) have some generic versions of popular controllers that are cheaper. Once you get to the point of picking you can search the forums and get a good idea of which ones are good and which you should avoid plus how hard each model is to hookup and use.

 

[pwndabear]

thanks man. im going to try the project you did in your sig as well and will probably start a howto thread when i do it, similar to yours.

hats off to you

 

[TomSD]

thanks man. im going to try the project you did in your sig as well and will probably start a howto thread when i do it, similar to yours.

hats off to you

Pics and posts are pretty much a requirement around here. Specially in the DIY category. I found a ton of pictures and threads that made my build MUCH easier. Without them I would've been stumbling blind.

 

[sugarcake_100]

hi, I am looking to convert chest freezer into a beer cooler, any suggestions to get them frosted, I bought the frigidare freezer and placed the Johnson control however I have put it down to 21F and still they don't get frosted, surprisingly didn't get frozen, help please

 

[Stealthcruiser]

?????
Get what frosted?
Beers?
You like them THAT cold?

 

[Spookgolds]

?????
Get what frosted?
Beers?
You like them THAT cold?

Nothing says "beer drinker" like a nice frosty mug.....

 

[sugarcake_100]

trying to get the beer bottle frosted