Building a fermentation chamber this weekend...lots o pics...completed pics in OP 9/7

[gator20]

OK....as most of you know I live in Texas and it's freakin hot. My last batch of brew skunked, I just couldn't keep it cool enough during the fermentation stage. Did some research found some plans and building a chamber this weekend.

Here are the beginning pics of it. Making it big enough to hold 2 carboys, will have 3 ice chambers to circulate cold air controlled by an outside thermostat.

2" styrofoam cut to the pieces I need. I used a circular saw...cut through it like butter.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iP038.jpg

Done...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iP039.jpg

Thermostat and fan before the mod...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iP041.jpg

Removed the thermistor to extend it to put the thermostat outside of the unit
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iP042.jpg

Done....freakin tough soldering these little wires together...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iP043.jpg

Starting to glue the foam together...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea003.jpg

The support that also holds the fan and ice containers....
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea005.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea007.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea009.jpg

Installation of fan...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea011.jpg

Finished suport and loaded with fan and containers...love it when it fits the first time...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea012.jpg
You will notice the holes drilled in the seperating boards....they offset to make air pass over the ice the into the chamber above...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea013.jpg

Thats it for today....letting the glue set up...finsh the rest tomorrow and start to wrap it in oak....Have a hole cut for a power box that will be the plug-in for the unit. No cords hanging out when it's done.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea014.jpg

Oak is ready to cut...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea015.jpg

Applying oak veneer...
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea016.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea017.jpg

Setting up...lots of weight on it all over to let glue set up....
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea020.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea021.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/iPhonea.jpg

Got a little work done on it this weekend....Got sidetracked by a landscapeing project.

The two door parts and the top hinged hood
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC003.jpg

About to wire it....
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC004.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC006.jpg

Thermostat installed....
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC005.jpg

Putting in the chimney, this is the part that air gets drawn down by the fan and over the ice and recirculated....
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC007.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC008.jpg

Finishing wiring for the 12V DC plug
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC014.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC015.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC016.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC017.jpg

Ok...so Ash asked me what good it was being in the house if you couldn't see inside....lightbulb...put a double pane of glass to view the contents...
Little did I know this would be a huge undertaking, but got it done, and it turned out nice.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC018.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC019.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC020.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC021.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC022.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC023.jpg

Think this looks pretty sweet......
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/FC024.jpg

And done with the trimming....just need sanding and stain.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000171.jpg

Trial run./...making beer today so need to make sure it works and hold temp....
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000170.jpg
Took just under 25 minutes to go from 92 to 70. Holding nicely.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000177.jpg

Made a batch of IPA Dogfish clone today....works great. Soon as this one is done, will sand and stain.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc279/gator_20/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0184.jpg


More to come....
Parts list and prices to get this thing done:
2" 4x8 styrofoam: $35
4x8 oak 1/4" $23
Themostat $25
Fan(radio shack) $10
Foam glue: $10
2x 12x16 glass $8
Trim pieces $15



Already had:
wood to build support
wood glue
stain and poly

[Doctor_XXX]

Dang! Looking good. Keep us updated...and take plenty o' pix!

[j p frog]

I can appreciate the craftsmanship that is going into the build

but...

please educate me...couldn't you use a small freezer with a thermostat to control the cooling and do the same thing?

nice instructional pix btw.

[SniperD5]

This is pretty awesome. This is also why I haven't ever gotten into home-brewing, because if I ever decided to get into it, I would have to go all out like you guys. I'll continue to watch this, can't wait to see how it looks finished.

[pie taster]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!

I'm looking into starting this next year.. what temperature are you shooting for and how often do you need to replace the ice.

[gator20]

Thanks for the compliments guys, this is turning into quite a project.

[SniperD5]

Thanks for the compliments guys, this is turning into quite a project.

You bumb your own thread without providing updated pics? How rude!;)

[gator20]

You bumb your own thread without providing updated pics? How rude!;)


No...added 5 new pics yesterday when I posted that,

[SniperD5]

No...added 5 new pics yesterday when I posted that,

Ahhh, I see. Good work man, keep the updates coming!

[sunsetpizza]

Looking really good so far. What temp do you want to keep the tanks when fementing?

[Irish]

Very cool build thread! Aside from "regular" brewing, this will benefit you if you ever decide to brew a lager, which require colder fermentation temperatures.

[gator20]

Depends on the batch being brewed.....this next beatch I will have to hold at 70 degress for 10 days or so.....should do the trick

[gator20]

What an ass-whip this was. It is done except for sanding and staining it.

[gator20]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!

I'm looking into starting this next year.. what temperature are you shooting for and how often do you need to replace the ice.

Made the beer on Monday anf has been steadily holding at 69 degrees. I have had to change the ice about every 12 hours or so. Could probably go longer but dont want to risk it getting hotter in the chamber.

[SniperD5]

Why is the wood on the bottom wet? If that some sort of condensation issue, or just some water on your garage floor?

[gator20]

Why is the wood on the bottom wet? If that some sort of condensation issue, or just some water on your garage floor?

Water I spilled changing out the first ice containers. There is some condensation....I put the tops to the containers under them to catch it. Problem solved.

[T]

rather impressive!

Great work Gator


T

[Irish]

Nice final product! Let us know how it affects your current batch.

[j p frog]

great work....but as I asked before...could you take an old freezer and do the same thing with a thermostat change? my son and future soninlaw are considering getting into home brews and I can see them facing the heat issue like you have....thanks!

[Doctor_XXX]

but as I asked before...could you take an old freezer and do the same thing with a thermostat change?
To answer your question...YES, ABSOLUTELY. in fact, I'd guess this re-use of a freezer with a new thermostat is probably the way "most" lagering chambers are created. Easier once it is done, but maybe more expensive than gator's design?

[Aust1227]

Great looking work! How long before you remove the ice chamber and put an electrical cooling unit in there? I couldn't imagine changing ice every 12 hours. I bastardized a dorm room fridge when I did my unit.