108 replies to this topic

[brewman]

So my buddy I brew with and the guy who's garage I'm using to do the build got back last night from a month TDY for a Radar class. I showed him my progress so far and what I still need to do. He came up with a few ideas and we worked out a few things that we are going to change. Now lets see if I can get this across to you so you will all understand.We are going to raise the top of the chamber some to give us more overlap for the doors. I'm going to put a piece of particle board on top (the thin brown stuff that goes on the back of entertainment centers), this will be used to attach the insulation to on the inside. Then we will frame out the top with 2 x 2's and put the main top on that. (see pic below)This will give us another 2 inches above the door opening for the seal overlap. The bottom opening along the bottom of the frame will also have more overlap when I put in the 3rd piece on insulation and floor.. I hope your understanding this.Also if you can tell from this pic below, the back wall comes up about 2 inches in front of the 2 x 4 that goes along the top back.With the top being raised some we will be able to make a small pocket to place the controller and temp probes for the fermentation buckets. All this will be below the level of the top and access will be below a little hinged door. This way the top will appear to be flat and smooth. Lift up the little door and you will see the controller and temp sensors.Now do you all understand all this?DanThen

[brewman]

so are these kind of ferm chambers more efficient than a fridge with a temp controller? just curious...

For my thinking its not about efficient, its bout having more space and something I want in my bar room. Plus I just like making things.Dan

[positiveContact]

For my thinking its not about efficient, its bout having more space and something I want in my bar room. Plus I just like making things.Dan

yeah - looks aren't that important to me and I have enough projects at my real job :Pi'm more interested in up front cost and operating cost.

[brewman]

Well if you insulate it good enough and at the ferm temps we are running it should be very cost efficient to run. Even running it at lower temps It should still be given that I have insulated it better then the fridge the unit came out of.Most of the stuff I'm using for the build was free or stuff I already had. If this was something where I had to pay for everything, then it might be a different story. I would of probably gone with a freezer conversion.Dan

Edited by brewman, 03 February 2012 - 06:49 AM.

[brewman]

I know its been awhile since my last update but nothing has happened the past two weeks. Last night I got off my lazy ass and went over to my buddy's house to do some work. I installed the first piece of insulation along the back wall. Making the cut along the insulation for the refrigeration line was a lot easier then I expected. I used construction adhesive to attach it to the back wall and to put the foam back in the stop where I had to cut the channel for the line to pass through. Tonight Ill put the other two layers along the back along with the standoff's which will hold the cold plate.I should have my tax refund deposited on Wednesday, after that I'll be able to go to the store and get the rest of the materials needed to finish this bad boy.I forgot my camera last night but Ill take some tonight showing the process I'm using to insulate the back and support the cold place.Dan

[brewman]

Well last night I called my buddy to see if it was cool to go over and do some work and he never answered. Now this is very strange for him. He always answers his phone/text's. But on the + side, I got my tax's deposited today. Going to the store to get the rest of the materials today. YEA.Dan

[brewman]

Delays delays delays, but Im heading to the store in about 15 minutes to get the rest of the stuff. :frank:Dan

[brewman]

Picked up the rest of the insulation and wood last night then went drinking. Going home this weekend but will start working on it again Tuesday.Dan

[brewman]

OK, lots to update. As you know I left work early Tuesday to do some building, well I called in sick yesterday and worked all day on it to try to get it done by this weekend. Also I left my camera at home so I had to use my cell phone to take pics. They are not the best but you will get the idea.I installed the insulation against the back wall and mounted the cold plate. I used 2 inch wooden dowels to hold the cold plate. I ran a long screw through the back wall and insulation. Then using a big washer I screwed the wooden dowel to the end of the screw sticking out of the insulation.Next I insulated the top.Then I added the 2X2's around the top and placed the temp controller.I also attached thermal insulation on the back.After each layer of insulation I sealed all the seams with silicone then taped them. Tonight I plan on cutting out the front piece of wood with the door holes and then placing the insulation along the front. I have Friday off so I plan on working on it all day and I hope finish the inside of it. Then Ill start temp testing and I plan on putting a batch of brew in it on Sunday.The outside will still need to be stained and coated with Polyurethane. Dan

[BlKtRe]

Now its coming together! Nice work...Question: Do you think there will be some condensation from the cold plate and if so any plans to deal with it?

[SchwanzBrewer]

How does a normal fridge deal with it?

[brewman]

Living in South Florida I'm sure Ill have some. The kegerator in my house gets some frost on the cold plate and I have to take a piece of ice out of the drip tray once a week or so. I might have to add in a drip tray some time later but I already have it figured out if I need to add one.Dan

[brewman]

Ended up going home this weekend and not working on the project. Going camping next weekend and have to get all my camping stuff together this week so I have no idea when Ill be working on it again.Dan

[brewman]

Ok, enough is enough. This build has taken way to long. Life keeps getting in the way of making beer and it has to stop. I told the wife that Ill be staying in Homestead this weekend to finish this project and make some beer.There I put my foot down. Now Im just waiting for her to beat me down for making a decision without her. LOLDan

[SchwanzBrewer]

Ok, enough is enough. This build has taken way to long. Life keeps getting in the way of making beer and it has to stop. I told the wife that Ill be staying in Homestead this weekend to finish this project and make some beer.There I put my foot down. Now Im just waiting for her to beat me down for making a decision without her. LOLDan

I'll translate: We had our weasel fest last weekend and I'm still good, so I'm gonna take care of some fun stuff I need to get done.

[brewman]

Last night I cut out the panels for the front, top and sides and painted the inside of them. Today is my day off so im getting ready to go over and work all day on it. My plan is to have it running by Sunday.Dan

[brewman]

What a day, got a lot done today, First I put a second coat of paint on the inside of all the panels. Then I cut out the door holes.Next I cut out the little trap door where the temp controller goes.Then I clamped the front onto the frame and got it square. After it was all aligned where I wanted it, I pulled one clamp off at a time and put construction adhesive along the frame and re-clamped. I kept doing this until I had the adhesive all around the frame where the front attaches. Then I screwed the front to the frame. Here it is with the clamps removed.I then installed the last of the insulation to the top and bottom of the chamber. You cant really see it in the pic below but its done.Here is how it looked when I left .Tomorrow Ill attach the sides and put in the side insulation. Run the wires through the top and attach the top and make the doors. I hope to have all the construction done tomorrow and start the temp testing.Dan

[brewman]

Just waiting for my buddy to call, I hope to have the construction phase done today.Dan

[jammer]

Nice job. Keep the pics coming. Im looking forward to seeing this thing all done and full of beer.

[brewman]

Yea progress. I got one of the sides put on along with all the internal insulation for that side plus all the insulation for the front. Got it all sealed up and taped. I was going to get the other side done and start working on the doors but beer got in the way and I ended up getting drunk and hanging with friends. Pics below show what I did get done.Getting ready to go over and get to work. More pics to come tonight.Dan