rtrevino
Well-Known Member
Can anyone out there with a top bottom fridge conversion give me any idea of the temps your getting in the freezer compartment when getting temps in the mid to low 60s in the fridge (bottom section)?
Top bottom fridge temps?
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It depends on the extent of the conversion you do. If you just plug in your fridge to a Ranco controller, expect the freezer to stay quite warm. If you replace the thermostat properly and put in some kind of controllable air recirculator, you can keep the freezer well below freezing. Additionally, a lot of this depends on the model of fridge you have, etc. Perhaps you could be a bit more specific about what you want to do?
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rtrevino
Well-Known Member
Ideally, I would like to keep the freezer portion as a freezer but I didn't think that would be possible. If someone has been able to do a conversion and accomplish this then I am wondering how. I know that one of the biggest problems is controlling the door between the two compartments. But again has anyone easily accomplished it?
Depends on your definition of easy. I helped someone do something like this once and it worked fine (60ºF differentials), but we basically replaced the entire vent system with new dampers, fans, thermostats, and control logic. It didn't take much more than an afternoon, but he is handy with the fabrication and I did all the electricals. Neither of us could have done it well on our own, so none of it would be easy without the right knowledge and tools.
As long as the insulation is good, there's no reason it shouldn't work. But, again, a lot of how easy something like this is depends on the design of the fridge. I can imagine that there are some models that would make such a conversion relatively straightforward, though I don't know of any that I'd recommend off hand. Look for something whose vent is relatively exposed, and ideally with simple circuitry.
If you use a Ranco and have the fridge set to ~36, the freezer should be below 32. But if you want the fridge to be @60 and the freezer below 32 I think you you would need to re-direct all the cooling air to the freezer and have basically none to the bottom section. Basically a lot of work like MalFet was saying. Why do you want such a large temp difference? Do you plan on lagering in the bottom?
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rtrevino
Well-Known Member
If I can find a way to dual purpose it, freeze extras in the top and ferment in the bottom, it will be easier to sell to the wife. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to do this either way but it's a lot less flack when I can say that it's not just for brewing.
I've don't quite a bit of metal fab so I'm not scared, but I'm not familiar with refrigeration controls and that is where I would need the most help. I was that maybe 1 dual controller would be able to control the vent between the two compartments and then control a small heater if it got to warm in the bottom section. If anyone has any more info on doing this, please let me know.
I've don't quite a bit of metal fab so I'm not scared, but I'm not familiar with refrigeration controls and that is where I would need the most help. I was that maybe 1 dual controller would be able to control the vent between the two compartments and then control a small heater if it got to warm in the bottom section. If anyone has any more info on doing this, please let me know.
You can use a single stage controller to manage temperatures in the freezer, but a ready built piece like a Johnson or a Ranco won't do much for you to control the vent (there's nothing to plug it into). You'll need to splice into the temperature unit and figure out how you want to control it. Depending on how it's wired, you might be able to replace it with a simple two-wire thermostat, or you might need to set up an electrical relay tied to a logic circuit. I know that's not terribly specific, but there really isn't a single conversion that will work for all fridges. It really depends on how the fridge you get is designed.
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rtrevino
Well-Known Member
Well my electrical experience is limited to simple household wiring, not too sure about how to use and wire "logic control". I hate to go out and spend money and a good fridge and rip it apart and not accomplish my goal.
In that case, your best bet is probably to leave the fridge unmodified. Keep it set as warm as it will go (probably 40ºFish) and then wrap your carboys in a fermwrap and neoprene jacket. Have the johnson controller run the fermwrap inside the fridge. It seems strange to have a heater inside a cooler, but it's less inefficient than you'd think if you properly insulate the carboys.
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rtrevino
Well-Known Member
Found this thread and I think im going to go this route.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/side-side-kegerator-fermentation-chamber-161176/
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/side-side-kegerator-fermentation-chamber-161176/
rtrevino said:
Looks good. Were you able to figure out the model number on the fridge he used? I didn't see it mentioned.
