My Fermentation Chamber - Cold White North Style

[SeeMont]

Sweet Build.

 

[thatjonguy]

My progress on the finishing work has slowed since I have now returned to work. I want to get it operational for a function test by this weekend as I have a marathon brew session scheduled for the 15th and 16th.

I still have to install AC, build shelf for carboys, finish CO2 supply, finish plywood skin, finish pine trim, finish door latch and lock and function test for 48 hour temperature swings.

 

[thatjonguy]

Added a materials list to post #1, it is not the final list. However, it should help you gather cost estimates.

 

[DrBrew809]

Wonderful project. Wish to look for it when its finished and working full of beers.

 

[thatjonguy]

Since returning to work progress has been slow. After being outside all day at work in the cold, the last thing I want to do is be in a cold garage for a few hours...

I knocked out some more trim on the front and added door hardware after relocating the hinges to allow more range when opening.

My door seems like it is becoming more warped, if that is possible. Getting it closed tight on the bottom involves a quick clamp. Maybe I will rebuild it some day.

I installed the air conditioner and haven't figured out how to bypass the AC digital thermostat to just have it controlled by the STC-1000. So I it is sitting idle (not like I need it right now).

The 200 watt heater has been plugged in since 830 this morning with the door closed. I am trying to see how well it holds temp. I am going to keep it at temp until Monday at 830am and shut it off. I will monitor the temp every hour for 12 hours.

The interior is almost finished with the plywood. Just a little piece by the door left plus trim work. I also need to build the shelving and figure out if I like my CO2 setup...

The last of the pics are for someone who asked about my Brewhemoth cart. It is 24x27 from 2 inch tube. My dad welded it up on a slow day at work. It will be nice just to wheel it in.

 

[thatjonguy]

More pics

 

[Terek]

I installed the air conditioner and haven't figured out how to bypass the AC digital thermostat to just have it controlled by the STC-1000. So I it is sitting idle (not like I need it right now).in.

This doesn't really solve your problem because you already have one. But for readers, you can get old a/c units that don't have a digital display, just knobs. So you can just leave the knobs turned on and control threw the main power.

I have a newer a/c that is also a heat pump (runs refrigerant backwards so it heats instead of cools) that has a digital display. Since it is a newer one, I will run some tests just letting it control it own temp with its own stat. If it doesn't I will try and re locate the stat that is built in. I believe is should work fine, they are pretty accurate now a days, but we will see.

 

[thatjonguy]

This doesn't really solve your problem because you already have one. But for readers, you can get old a/c units that don't have a digital display, just knobs. So you can just leave the knobs turned on and control threw the main power.

I have a newer a/c that is also a heat pump (runs refrigerant backwards so it heats instead of cools) that has a digital display. Since it is a newer one, I will run some tests just letting it control it own temp with its own stat. If it doesn't I will try and re locate the stat that is built in. I believe is should work fine, they are pretty accurate now a days, but we will see.

Well, I think the lowest my AC goes is 64F, so I need to figure that out. Not much of an issue in the winter to get it colder. Just going to be hard to crash in the summer.

 

[thatjonguy]

I fired it up the other night and it has been doing a pretty good job holding around 18.6C to 19.0C when it is set at 19.0C with a 0.3C differential. It does lose heat quickly, it lost 13 degrees in 3 hours, although the ambient outside was -23C and not much warmer in the garage.

I am pretty happy with it so far. This coming Sunday I will be doing an all day brew session to fill it half way to see how it handles active fermentation.

 

[sablesurfer]

There is a mod out there where you actually heat the temperature probe to keep the A/C running. I cannot find it right now, but maybe someone will know where to google it? This way the probe never reads below 'whatever', so the A/C stays running.

 

[thatjonguy]

There is a mod out there where you actually heat the temperature probe to keep the A/C running. I cannot find it right now, but maybe someone will know where to google it? This way the probe never reads below 'whatever', so the A/C stays running.

I tried to find it and will keep looking!

My first batch is now in the kegs in the chamber carbonating. The temp control worked exactly as planned and the hydro sample tasted great. I might have under pitched this beer a little, but it tastes pretty good.

All that is left is to trim it out, wood putty, sand, paint and finish the gas side of things. I am still considering the shelf to hold buckets and carboys.

The curb ramp I purchased online works awesome to get my Brewhemoth inside.

 

[helibrewer]

I did something very similar. I bypassed the thermostat on the A/C unit and put a couple computer fans in the return air duck to keep the coils from freezing.

 

[thatjonguy]

Nice!

I just need to have my micro-circuits guy take a look at my AC to figure out what needs to happen.

 

[thatjonguy]

Late update, but this beer may be the very best brew I have ever cranked out. We are going to find out since it is at NHC 1st Round...

Still trying to figure out the AC. Next year, I am adding another 200W heater for the dead of winter just in case it gets ridiculous like this past winter.

I am still working on the final pieces of trim and am reconsidering the setup for gas inside the unit.

 

[sablesurfer]

Ah, seems they have gone legit since I heard about people attaching heaters to the temp probe of A/C

http://www.storeitcold.com/index.html

It's called a Coolbot.

 

[thatjonguy]

Thanks! I will try to convince SWMBO.