External Refrigerator Controllers

[JSherm]

I have the Johnson Controls temp controller.  I used it for the first time on the last brew for both temperature control during fermentation and crash cooling (in a chest freezer).  I worked perfectly!  No complaints:

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/CONTROLLER-P762C100.aspx

JSherm

[MaltLicker]

Finally got my johnson controller. Calibration seems off by about 3 degrees F.

It helps to circulate the air inside the freezer.  Little three-inch fans from old PCs can be wired to old cell phone chargers to run when plugged in.  Moves air around inside freezer and helps a bunch.   "Damp Rid" also helps control moisture and condensation.

@Maine - Brew Haulers work well for me and my wimpy back. 

[maddspoiler]

Yeah, Ill have to try the damp rid because the chest freezers do not seem to remove moisture like a refrigerator does.

[jomebrew]

I keep the probe of my external controller in a bottle of water.

I use a 3" PC fan to circulate the cold air.

I use a big PBW bottle filled with silica gel packs I get from stuff shipped to work.  This helps a lot with humidity control.  I dry these out underneath my burners on brew days.

I clean my keezer every three or four weeks.

I still get mildew on my kegs.  I clean the exteriors with bleach and rinse well.

[420BeerNut]

I have one but be careful! The fridge I bought at Best Buy crapped out mid-lager and had to scamble to get food and crap out of the way of my normal food fridge for 2 (two!) carboys to continue fermenting, the beers came out great, but I ate like crap for a few weeks, everything was scattered. Have the fridge back and running, but may just serve draught for a while as a kegerator...

[Maine Homebrewer]

420 - at least you've got your priorities straight! lol

[Murphy]

Regarding lifting carboys in and out of a chest freezer, just go to HD, Lowes and buy yourself a pair of gloves that have rubber ribs on them. You get a great grip on your carboy, but still have to be careful. Mine are yellow.

[turnole]

I also have the Johnson controller and I'm satisfied with it and would recommend it to everyone (it's definitely worth the money)! I look up to everybody who does DIY projects, unfortunately I have a very limited talent regarding construction projects, and prefer to buy everything It would be nice if some guys here would share their own projects, I'm curious!

[rkjones1953]

 8)I purchased both a chest and an upright freezer for fermenting and chilling kegged beer. I used the controllers and use a heat blanket when I want to use either one for ferminting. I use a pully system and harness to move my carboys or cornies in and out of the chest freezer. I purchased a lift at harbor freight that allows me to slide a carboy or keg to the upright freezer. Using both of these methods saves me from back pain and/or breaking a class carboy.

[Wingeezer]

I found wide temperature swings in my home built kegerator (made from a new Danby fridge). It would swing up and down
from 27F to 42 and back within about an hour.   

So I bought a Johnson A419 digital controller, set it at 34-38 and that's what the fridge now runs at.

Seems to work fine.


Brian.   

[ArtCox]

The Jan/Feb issue of BYO has a temp controller project.

[chas382]

I bought my Johnson Digital Controller  from Sear's and a 7.5 cubic foot chest freezer from HHGREGG. Got both for about $200. I did a lot of searching to get that low of a price.

[Doom5oh]

I just completed a DIY temp controller that is 2 stage (meaning it will heat and cool) and it took me an hour to complete.

http://www.skiesmall.com/temperature-control-controller-stc1000-whit-sensor_p2017.html

STC 1000  $30
Radio Shack work box $6
Outlet $1
Open end 14-2 wire 3 prong plug from home depot  $8

Here's a helpful blog with photos..

http://boatsandhoeshomebrewery.blogspot.com/2012/01/dual-stage-temperature-controller-diy.html

[piper55]

 I have a chest freezer with a box made of 2x10 to extend the lid higher, with a johnson digital controler just make sure you secure the sensor bulb for the controler well or it will fall out and you will have frozen lager. I also have taps on the front and can fit 4 kegs or three kegs and a carboy. I got the idea in byo magazine they have plans for the whole thing