Side by Side Fridge Conversion

[bluedog_Brewing]

1. You won't need a third STC-1000 to control the heater since that device has both heating and cooling outputs. You don't even need to switch from heating to cooling mode, it is all done automatically based on the set point and current temperature. Pretty handy feature.

2. I used two of those exact same fans. I have one at the top of the divider (when the original damper door was located) pushing air from the freezer into the fridge. I also have a second one at the bottom of the divider moving fridge air into the freezer. I have laundry vent duct things on both fans. I found that two fans really helps to cool down a new batch if I can't chill all the way to ~65F. It also really helps with cold crashing, although I am trying to get a second fridge for cold crashing and carbing extra kegs. If those two issues aren't a concern to you, yo should be able to get by just fine with 1 of the 120mm AC fans you linked.

 

[iluvmysh]

In the section with laundry ducts and kitchen stove fans/vents

what are your thoughts on this vent to prevent back drafts?

 

[bluedog_Brewing]

Probably. But they look a bit thicker than the square one with multiple panes. That would reduce your usable space a bit.

 

[veeref]

I'd like to again thank Bluedog on all his help with my side-by-side project. Without his help I wouldn't have completed my project.

My SS Brewtech 7gal chronical finally came in and after cleaning and assembling it, I made a shelf for it on the cold side. I don't usually have more than one beer fermenting, so I don't mind the loss of capacity over using carboys. If i get desperate I have another chest freezer with a Ranco.

Regards,
Randy

 

[bluedog_Brewing]

I'd like to again thank Bluedog on all his help with my side-by-side project. Without his help I wouldn't have completed my project.

My SS Brewtech 7gal chronical finally came in and after cleaning and assembling it, I made a shelf for it on the cold side. I don't usually have more than one beer fermenting, so I don't mind the loss of capacity over using carboys. If i get desperate I have another chest freezer with a Ranco.

Regards,
Randy

Randy,

Your build looks really great! I love the look of that stainless conical in there! I am glad that I was able to help you out with your project. I was so happy when I got fine finished and tapped my first keg of homebrew

 

[Dfwshane]

Everyone's builds look great. I am converting this exact same fridge so thank you all for your diagrams, drawings, etc. I am using the relay and 2 stc-1000's, 2 computer fans with dampers. If I run into any issues along the way I will post here, but thank you in advance for all of the effort-- it will be a great help to me. There aren't any refrigerant lines in the divider between the freezer and refrigerator right?

 

[Jps101]

You guys did a great job with your builds. I embarked on this project this past weekend. Found a nasty fridge (same wiring diagram). I will be reaching out for a few answers from time to time.

Great job!

 

[cas3439]

Bluedog,
Nice build! I'm trying to help out another home brewer here on the site with his Side by Side build that involves a circuit board fridge like yours. I have built a couple of Side by Sides but not one with the circuit boards. I have a couple of questions on one of the posts where you are explaining the relay on post #41.

"I cut the black wire from the circuit board to the compressor and the yellow wire from the circuit board to the condensor fan. I routed these to the 2-pole relay and then back to the device side of the wires I cut. So now the relay just reconnects the original wires whenever the thermostat needs to cool the freezer side. I cut the yellow wire (speed control signal I think) to the condensor instead of the red (+13V power supply) because I wanted to leave the evaporator fan running all the time to keep the temps in the freezer side even. If you do not want to run the evap fan all the time, cut the red wire instead of the yellow."

In the paragraph you mention the condenser fan AND the evaporator fan. I know that there are indeed one of each of these, the condenser fan down by the compressor and the evaporator fan located in the freezer compartment.

1. Were you talking about both fans or one?
2. If one, which one?
3. You talk about keeping the freezer temps even, so I'm thinking the evaporator fan in the freezer, but the schematic shows the condenser fan down by the compressor.
4. If both, how does cutting out the speed control for the condenser let the evaporator fan run all of the time?

Any help would be great!
Thanks

 

[bluedog_Brewing]

cas, good questions. Here is my response:

1. I was talking about both fans.
2. See # 1
3. I let the evap run all the time to circulate air over the kegs and keep temps even, keep the beer lines cool, etc.
4. On my wiring diagram, the +13V from the circuit board powers BOTH the condenser and evap fans. However, each fan has its own speed control wire. These fans can have the +13V connected, but if you disconnect the control wire they will not run. Control wire is yellow for the condenser and blue for the evap. If you want the evap to run all the time, you can either cut the yellow control wire to the condenser, or cut the red right next to the condenser fan. I went with the yellow because I didn't have much room to get the red wire next to the condenser. If you cut the red right where it come off the board, it will cut off both the evap and condenser.

Hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[cas3439]

Thanks for the reply! It does all make sense now, but still have some questions.

1. When you say "because I wanted to leave the evaporator fan running all the time", that doesn't mean it runs constantly never turning off, it means that when the fridge calls for it to be on it will come on. Correct?

2. You put the yellow condenser fan on the relay to make the compressor and condenser fan come on at the same time. Did you ever try without the fan wire on the relay? Would the fan come on even though the compressor isn't running? I'm sure it's possible with a motherboard running the system. I just don't know if kgmac311 bought a 2 pole relay or not, that's why I ask.

Thanks Bluedog

 

[bluedog_Brewing]

1. Correct. The wiring from the fridge circuit board to the evap fan is original, so it runs when the fridge wants it to run. Since the freezer is much warmer than even the warmer thermostat setting, the fridge is always "trying" to cool the freezer. The only time the evap stops running is during a defrost cycle.

2. If you leave the yellow wire unaltered, the condensor fan will run whenever the fridge wants to cool, even when you cut off the compressor via the relay. Not the worst thing, but I would recommend using a 2 pole relay or 2 single pole relays.

 

[Semicole]

How exactly did you attach the angle brackets to the fridge? I get the outer ones, but the inner wall on my fridge is straight up plastic and foam, so I don't know how I'd attach the brackets to the inner walls. I'm using the glass shelves that came with the fridge right now, but they're a little sketchy to say the least. Check my post history for my build, but I pretty much just followed yours.

 

[cas3439]

How exactly did you attach the angle brackets to the fridge? I get the outer ones, but the inner wall on my fridge is straight up plastic and foam, so I don't know how I'd attach the brackets to the inner walls. I'm using the glass shelves that came with the fridge right now, but they're a little sketchy to say the least. Check my post history for my build, but I pretty much just followed yours.

I just drilled all of the way thru the center section of plastic and foam with a drill bit the size of the bolts and used a long bolt with a nut on the other side. Put the head of the bolt on the bracket side so it doesn't stick out too far into the shelf. 2 or 3 on each L-bracket, I've never had a problem.

 

[dsdeez]

Hey - Do you still have your kegerator? or did you move on to another one?

I like the digital temps on the outside, where did you get them and set them up?

 

[Ragman]

These are really sweet
Nice job guys. We are about to replace our side by side with a French door and I would love to do something similar to this.