My Latest Project - Walk-in Cooler

[scinerd3000]

Hey Ed, the cooler is still running strong. FYI, I now run it at 34 degress (instead of 36) with a 2 degree diferential. It runs for about 5~10 mins ever 90 mins or so. We use it for all sorts of stuff and has become a great addition to our house. The only problem I’m having is a cosmetic one. The A/C has drawn all the moisture out of the glue I used to tack the plastic sheeting on the inside and it is coming loose in several places. I plan on turn it off for a day and using heavy double stick tape to tack it all back down.

FYI, I'm still around but life and work have taken precendence. Looks like things are settling back down for me though... hope to be more active soon.

what about epoxy?

 

[John Beere]

what about epoxy?

Finally got around to fixing the door yesterday but had missed this suggestion - heavy duty double stick tape worked really well but I might try epoxy on the trim that has come loose. Are there any epoxys that are thick enough to not drip?

 

[explosivebeer]

John I just saw this thread for the first time. Many kudos on your fabrication and documentation. I've been toying with the idea of doing this myself and your experience has really helped make it a tangible goal for whenever I get around to it. Thanks for all your work.

 

[Bill1968]

I saw one of these on ebay so I checked out their site. It's called a Coolbot and works with a A/C unit like John used. Here is the link http://www.storeitcold.com/

 

[Displaced MassHole]

That coolbot looks pretty freaken sweet, I think it may be time to start building a walk-in cooler now. Good find

 

[nathan]

isn't that a bigger version of a Love controller or Ranco controller?

 

[Pedro-]

isn't that a bigger version of a Love controller or Ranco controller?

from what i read yeah with some fans. might help control the cycle times a little better.

for 300 i don't know

 

[John Beere]

I like this quote from their "How To" page:

Install any brand of window A/C unit which you've purchased separately. (See the table below for sizing.) We just cut a sloppy hole in the wall of our home-built walk-in cooler with a chain saw, stuffed the A/C unit into the hole, and then used “Great Stuff” foam sealant to seal up the gaps.

Classy...

I'll admit that I don't really get it and not sure how you don't have to make any modifications to the A/C unit.

My cooler doesn't have a defrost cycle. Instead I have several 12 volt fans which always blow "warmer than freezing" air over the coils - which completely eliminate any ice build-up.

 

[conpewter]

Basically it looks like that device will use the AC's own temperature sensor to turn it on and off. It has a wire that is either hot or cold to make the AC turn on or off, the rest is like a normal Ranco controller. It just also sense when you need to defrost (the AC is on but room temp air is coming out) and will turn the AC off until it defrosts I imagine.

Interesting product but not worth the money if you want to just take apart the AC unit some and hardwire it always on, then hook it up to a ranco/love controller, might need to point a fan at it like John says to let it defrost when it is not running

 

[John Beere]

Basically it looks like that device will use the AC's own temperature sensor to turn it on and off. It has a wire that is either hot or cold to make the AC turn on or off, the rest is like a normal Ranco controller. It just also sense when you need to defrost (the AC is on but room temp air is coming out) and will turn the AC off until it defrosts I imagine.

Interesting product but not worth the money if you want to just take apart the AC unit some and hardwire it always on, then hook it up to a ranco/love controller, might need to point a fan at it like John says to let it defrost when it is not running

This was my take on it as well... that it just heated up the A/C's sensor where it was always hot.

I don't see any other way to efficiently do it other than run fans over the coils as you wouldn't believe the amount of condensation that it pulls out of the cooler - which would promptly turns to ice and freeze the whole coil up. I just don't know if you could run a defrost cycle long enough without the aid of a fan. Well, not at the temperature differential I'm holding it at (I now keep it at 33 degrees).

**EDIT** Plus, there isn't much DIY spirit in the CoolBot... I mean, I wouldn't have taken half the pride in the project if I hadn't successfully hotwired the A/C.

 

[Displaced MassHole]

**EDIT** Plus, there isn't much DIY spirit in the CoolBot... I mean, I wouldn't have taken half the pride in the project if I hadn't successfully hotwired the A/C.

Very true, the success of any DIY project is measured in the amount of bandaids required, plus any time in the emergency room automatically adds cool points!!

 

[Arneba28]

So this is my first time running across this thread..

YOU ARE EPIC. not because of the size of this project or the cost but because of the coolness rating! You have a homemade walk-in cooler, in your house.

Damn Cool

 

[John Beere]

So this is my first time running across this thread..

YOU ARE EPIC. not because of the size of this project or the cost but because of the coolness rating! You have a homemade walk-in cooler, in your house.

Damn Cool

Woot!

...

 

[mwhc22]

Freaking awesome man!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just ran across this thread for the first time and wish i could get a copy of the zymergy article now.

a friend from highschool went to school for HVAC repair stuff. So next summer we are planning on building a walk-in at our house and he is going to build our cooling unit himself from various parts he can pick up for cheap between now and then. I can't wait already!!! I am planning on getting a solar panel on the roof to power the cooling unit as well so that way my beer can be cold for free

 

[Grimsawyer]

..... I am planning on getting a solar panel on the roof to power the cooling unit as well so that way my beer can be cold for free

Now that's Cool! (haha, get it!!! cool!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!)

 

[John Beere]

Freaking awesome man!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just ran across this thread for the first time and wish i could get a copy of the zymergy article now.

PM sent...

 

[talleym0nster]

Wow. That is awesome! I just stumbled upon this thread in the DIY forum. Even made it into Zymurgy, that's cool!

 

[flack]

WOW.. just WOW... *picks up jaw from ground* John, if still possible.. i'd love to read that Zymurgy article too!.. mad props! and congrats.

 

[scinerd3000]

Finally got around to fixing the door yesterday but had missed this suggestion - heavy duty double stick tape worked really well but I might try epoxy on the trim that has come loose. Are there any epoxys that are thick enough to not drip?

somehow i figure better late than never because i missed the question origionally. Quick set 60 second epoxy wont really drip too much. Liquid nails works also and wouldnt drip but epoxy is much more permenent but you have to mix it first.

I read through this whole thread once again- your a true pioneer.

 

[John Beere]

Thanks guys. FYI, the cooler is still holding strong at 35 degrees although I've modified the differential to 3 degrees since last posting.

I still haven't turned it off to fix the trim since it is just cosmetic and there is a ton of stuff inside there. I will look closer into the quick set epoxy.

I think its safe to just publically post the link to the Zymurgy article at this point... here it is.

 

[trip2hard]

truly bad ass... Great work.

 

[John Beere]

truly bad ass... Great work.

Yeah, I've said it before and I'll say it again - I r0x0r! :rockin:

 

[missing link]

I just wish I had the room to do something like this. I could do it in my basement but then the A/C would be exhausting into the basement itself and that are is finished which would be unsightly and noisy.

I build my bar before becoming a brewer and if I had only known then what an obsession this would become, I could have built things differently to incorporate a cool room.

Nice work.

Linc

 

[MoRoToRiUm]

John Beere, I've followed this post for awhile and was happy to see your article finally! Has anyone ever visited instructables.com before? You should post it up there for other 'gadgetiers' (lack of a better word?). If you don't feel like it, and you approve/want it there, let me know and can TRY and do it justice...

Keep us posted with more beer porn!!!

 

[brauhausjoe]

So I've started my latest project - a walk-in cooler. It will be roughly 5' X 5' X 7'

I might have missed it, I am a little slow What is the total size of the cooler at project finish?

Thanks,

 

[John Beere]

I think it is safe to post a link to the article at this point. It has a sketch of it on page 2 which better show the size. It is just over 48" wide and about 78~80" tall. One wall is about 5 feet long, the other is about 7'. I think I figured it up to be between 165~170 cubic feet.

http://deepsixbrewingco.com/misc/article.pdf

 

[ajwillys]

I think it is safe to post a link to the article at this point. It has a sketch of it on page 2 which better show the size. It is just over 48" wide and about 78~80" tall. One wall is about 5 feet long, the other is about 7'. I think I figured it up to be between 165~170 cubic feet.

http://deepsixbrewingco.com/misc/article.pdf

WOW!! Nice! I am always impressed by this walk in cooler and one day hope to build something similar of my own... one question though, are you Gabe Fisher and if so, who's John Beere?

 

[John Beere]

Yes, I'm Gabe... John Beere is simply my alter ego.

 

[Jonnio]

I think it is safe to post a link to the article at this point. It has a sketch of it on page 2 which better show the size. It is just over 48" wide and about 78~80" tall. One wall is about 5 feet long, the other is about 7'. I think I figured it up to be between 165~170 cubic feet.

http://deepsixbrewingco.com/misc/article.pdf

Nice article, when should we be expecting one on your HERMS rig?

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

:rockin::rockin:STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you considered sray foaming it before you add the last layer of insulation. They have the stuff at lowes or home depot. It will "seal" up every little crevice that the other insulations miss. Then you put on your foam board and [ I ] would add aluminum diamondplate to 48" and the drywal (3/4"). You will barely notice it on your electric bill. OH, and if you get an AC unit that is 220volt rather than110volt it'll be even cheaper.

God bless you for properly using the space you have this way. I'm either gonna have to get a divorce or call social services on myself so they will come and get a kid if i want to do something like this.(Yes it has crossed my mind). Just joking dear.....:rockin::rockin