Starting a keezer build

[Decimotox]

Hi all,

Starting a keezer build very soon and I think I have everything I'll need, but wanted to ask the experienced builders if there's something I'm missing or if you have any tips/tricks for me to keep in mind.

I have a 5 cu ft chest freezer I'll be using to house two corny kegs. I'm going to do a 2x4 wood collar that will be insulated with pink insulation foam board. I'll drill two holes for the shanks and that's all I'll need. The CO2 tank will go on the hump.

Should I put a little fan in? I'd rather not wire anything up, honestly. I have a cat that gets into everything... Could I put a little battery powered one in there and keep an eye out for it? Any other alternatives?

Thanks in advance! I'll definitely post pics as I go. Starting this weekend, I think.

 

[BrewSomeMore]

I have a Magic Chef 5 cu ft freezer. I put a 2x8 collar with a 1x10 outer pine overhang. I can fit 4 corny kegs. I put a computer fan hooked up to a old cell phone charger. Also, I have a rechargeable dehumidifier which keeps its dry for the most part. The temp is maintained throughout the keezer. I would suggest making the collar bigger and putting the co2 tank outside just in case you want more taps. Trust me, you will want more taps eventually. You might not be able to fit all the insulation in my configuration but the keezer does not impact my electrical bill that much.

 

[Decimotox]

Thanks for that, man. I was planning for a maximum of three. I know with the right collar height I can get a third one in there with the tank. I think three would be enough for me lol.

Maybe a computer fan would be the best bet, I just feel like it would be a lot to do wiring-wise. But maybe not.

 

[BrewSomeMore]

computer fan is simple to wire. I soldered mine but is not necessary, just electrical tape it good.

 

[woo_pig]

You will need to use 2x6 or 2×8 it will help you fit one more in there. Spend a tiny bit more money and get a third keg in there even if it just for lagering

 

[Decimotox]

Okay, yeah I think I should got a 2x8 for the collar. I was planning on just having two taps at any given time, but the extra one might be nice. And I definitely want to do some lagering in the future. Good call.

One question because I'm not totally sure. I have my CO2 tank already and dual gauge regulator, but if I use the MFL distributor, do they all come out at the same PSI? Or can I carbonate one and serve another? Tried searching for info on that but didn't get much.

 

[BrewSomeMore]

If you carb them at the same time they will. I usually shut off the other kegs while carbing one. Eventually, if you carbed at 8 psi and your serving pressure is 12 psi it will foam a little but I haven't had too much of a problem. You could get a secondary regulator if wanted too.

 

[BrooklynTom]

For a 3rd keg, I would go with the 2x8 collar. I used 2x6 and the lid will not seat all the way down with QDs on my pin locks. I am going to add a few inches to it over the winter.

 

[max384]

Should I put a little fan in? I'd rather not wire anything up, honestly. I have a cat that gets into everything... Could I put a little battery powered one in there and keep an eye out for it? Any other alternatives?

You definitely want a fan for air movement, but a battery powered fan is about the worst idea I can think of. You'll be changing batteries all the time. There's no easier electrical project than wiring a small computer fan. You can Google it, or post up here, and you'll get a lot of help, since so many of us have wired these.

 

[chubbypuppy]

I have a Magic Chef 5 cu ft freezer. I put a 2x8 collar with a 1x10 outer pine overhang. I can fit 4 corny kegs. I put a computer fan hooked up to a old cell phone charger. Also, I have a rechargeable dehumidifier which keeps its dry for the most part. The temp is maintained throughout the keezer. I would suggest making the collar bigger and putting the co2 tank outside just in case you want more taps. Trust me, you will want more taps eventually. You might not be able to fit all the insulation in my configuration but the keezer does not impact my electrical bill that much.

I have a similar size keezer and was planning on adding a 2x8 collar to accommodate extra kegs on the compressor hump. Do you happen to have any pictures from the front? I'd like to see what the a large collar looks like on a smaller bodied keezer.

 

[Spyderbyte07]

You definitely want a fan for air movement, but a battery powered fan is about the worst idea I can think of. You'll be changing batteries all the time. There's no easier electrical project than wiring a small computer fan. You can Google it, or post up here, and you'll get a lot of help, since so many of us have wired these.

This is what I used. It worked great until I commandeered it for a stir plate build, now I need to order another one...

 

[Decimotox]

You definitely want a fan for air movement, but a battery powered fan is about the worst idea I can think of. You'll be changing batteries all the time. There's no easier electrical project than wiring a small computer fan. You can Google it, or post up here, and you'll get a lot of help, since so many of us have wired these.

Alright, I'll take the advice of so many, haha. I've seen little tutorials on how to do it, so I won't be totally in the dark with it. I think my only thing will be the logistics of plugging it in. Do you run the cord over the top of the collar and under the lid of the freezer? Or drill a small hole through it and run it through there?

 

[BrewSomeMore]

I have a similar size keezer and was planning on adding a 2x8 collar to accommodate extra kegs on the compressor hump. Do you happen to have any pictures from the front? I'd like to see what the a large collar looks like on a smaller bodied keezer.

Here is a front view. Excuse my messy basement. The collar looks proportioned, at least I think so.

 

[skraeling]

im sure its been said but doing a pc fan is easy peazy. I highly reccomend it. Airflow in these things is very good to have. also get an Evadry500... that thing hoovers moisture like its going out of style... and you WILL need one. Heres my entire build thread I just finished mine a month or so ago. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=593107

 

[Decimotox]

im sure its been said but doing a pc fan is easy peazy. I highly reccomend it. Airflow in these things is very good to have. also get an Evadry500... that thing hoovers moisture like its going out of style... and you WILL need one. Heres my entire build thread I just finished mine a month or so ago. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=593107

Thanks for the thread link, man. Yours looks really nice. I will be wiring up a PC fan.

Question for you regarding the insulation - how did you secure it to the collar? Tape? Glue? Thanks again.

 

[skraeling]

Thanks for the thread link, man. Yours looks really nice. I will be wiring up a PC fan.

Question for you regarding the insulation - how did you secure it to the collar? Tape? Glue? Thanks again.

measured trimmed it, trimmed it some more. its just press fit into place so I can remove it if I ever need to.

 

[Decimotox]

measured trimmed it, trimmed it some more. its just press fit into place so I can remove it if I ever need to.

Okay, gotcha. Thanks for the advice and for sharing, man.