First Keezer Build

[nhenson22]

Hi all,
Just completed my first keezer build and unlike with my kegerator build, I took pictures along the way, so thought I'd share if anyone is interested. Any improvements you can think of let me know!!

I started with a Logik Chest Freezer from Currys. Unfortunately I was limited to a certain width due to position it would be in house, so 200 litres was my max size.

Next, I decided to do something a bit different and attempt to vinyl wrap the freezer! This was not easy, I I ended up with plenty of dodgy bits near the corners, but from a distance, I'm fairly happy!

Collar then constructed from Planed Redwood -

......several days and coats of varnish later

I decided on 4 taps, which is prob the most you could do on this freezer, then set the collar in place with silicone.

Picked up a sheet of floor insulation and cut to fit round the inside of the collar.

I originally planned to have my secondary regulators mounted on the collar but it quickly became apparent (unless switching to flexible gas line) that this wouldn't be possible, so fitted them just off the manifold.

Kegs in, I can fit 4 Corny kegs, plus a smaller keg. Gone for 5 gas lines so I can always have one keg conditioning at pressure ready for one of the other 4 to blow.

Things I want to do/sort -

1) Figure out how to hide the white of the lid seal, any ideas?
2) Build a small shelf in same stained wood to sit a drip tray on, fixed to freezer by magnets.
3) Work out how to display what's on each tap. By wrapping the fridge I have limited my options here. I was thinking maybe small hanging slates from each tap? Again, any suggestions welcome.

Cheers all!

 

[nhenson22]

I should add that I spent weeks scouring the forum to all those that went before me, so thanks for all the advice!

Plenty questions probably forthcoming, like, where is my probe going to be better situated, do I need to add a fan etc etc.

 

[foxbat]

For the signage I used Ebay mini chalkboards stuck to the side of the keezer under each tap with velcro tape. The chalkboard pens that you buy wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Great build by the way!

 

[samale]

Looks the part I would love to have the space in the house for one. My own option is the garage.

 

[nhenson22]

Looks the part I would love to have the space in the house for one. My own option is the garage.

I had a forfeit to claim that space under the stairs for the keezer, my wife now exclusively gets to pick the kitchen tiles, no input from me. I feel it was a good deal!

 

[nhenson22]

For the signage I used Ebay mini chalkboards stuck to the side of the keezer under each tap with velcro tape. The chalkboard pens that you buy wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Great build by the way!

Thanks, will have a look at them, my only concern was finding some narrow enough for the tap spacing. Do yours fit under each tap without touching each other?

 

[foxbat]

Thanks, will have a look at them, my only concern was finding some narrow enough for the tap spacing. Do yours fit under each tap without touching each other?

Yes mine do. The chalkboards are 10cm(W)x7.5cm(H).

 

[nhenson22]

Anyone know what the desired number of compressor cycles is. I am guessing less is more with this?

I have just timed mine, with temperature probe submerged in water bottle raised off the bottom of freezer, 3C set temperature with +0.7 differential.
Compressor runs for 8 minutes to get back down to temp turns off and then comes on 53 mins later. So all in all, it is basically kicking on once every hour. Is this good/bad?

I am still on the fence about whether to install a fan also, will this have any effect on the amount of time it takes the freezer to warm up?

 

[chrisb8]

Looks great, very jealous. I wish I had space for something like that in my house (and I think it might take more than kitchen tiles to convince my partner!)

 

[Bulldog.]

Looks great, I'm starting a build just like you iv been searching ideas from builds on forum.

 

[foxbat]

Looks great, I'm starting a build just like you iv been searching ideas from builds on forum.

Go for it, it's a fun project.

 

[Leon103]

Looks cracking

 

[Ghillie]

Anyone know what the desired number of compressor cycles is. I am guessing less is more with this?

I have just timed mine, with temperature probe submerged in water bottle raised off the bottom of freezer, 3C set temperature with +0.7 differential.
Compressor runs for 8 minutes to get back down to temp turns off and then comes on 53 mins later. So all in all, it is basically kicking on once every hour. Is this good/bad?

I am still on the fence about whether to install a fan also, will this have any effect on the amount of time it takes the freezer to warm up?

The less frequent your compressor cycles, the better. Compressors (by design) are happier running longer vs more often with frequent starts if that makes sense?

I would look into making your differential slightly higher IMO. With a 2C cD you’d be looking at >2 hours between cycles which would be ace in helping with the lifespan of your keezer.

I have a fan inside my keezer, for no other reason than everyone else seemed to do it. It doesn’t help with condensation, only a tea towel in the bottom does. Maybe it potentially keeps internal temps uniform, I have no idea.

Regarding the seal - I picked up lengths of black rubber draught excluder from B&Q. I can’t remember exactly which one as I bought in store and just grabbed off the shelf what looked to be the best fit. It was the Diall brand though:

https://www.diy.com/departments/building-supplies/insulation-damp-proofing/draught-excluders-door-seals/door-insulation-seals/DIY754088.cat

A very smart build and a cracking wee neuk to keep it!

 

[foxbat]

It doesn’t help with condensation, only a tea towel in the bottom does

A plastic tray of the colour-changing silica gel beads (Ebay) in the bottom sorted that for me. Takes a week or two before they need a bake in the oven to refresh them.

 

[Ghillie]

A plastic tray of the colour-changing silica gel beads (Ebay) in the bottom sorted that for me. Takes a week or two before they need a bake in the oven to refresh them.

Great idea. Going to look into this, cheers!

 

[Bulldog.]

Where did you get the wrap from?

 

[nhenson22]

Where did you get the wrap from?

I got it from a place called CSK wraps. There didn't seem to be many places that did it in sheets wide enough to be able to wrap the base of the freezer in one go. It is apparently vinyl for cars but I'm not sure I would say quality was high enough for a car wrap. Certainly fine for a freezer. If you decide to give it a go, let me know and I will come up with a list of things I would do differently, it wasn't as easy as I first thought it would be and as mentioned I ended up with a few creases and tears at the corners.

https://cskwraps.uk/shop/

 

[Bulldog.]

I got it from a place called CSK wraps. There didn't seem to be many places that did it in sheets wide enough to be able to wrap the base of the freezer in one go. It is apparently vinyl for cars but I'm not sure I would say quality was high enough for a car wrap. Certainly fine for a freezer. If you decide to give it a go, let me know and I will come up with a list of things I would do differently, it wasn't as easy as I first thought it would be and as mentioned I ended up with a few creases and tears at the corners.

https://cskwraps.uk/shop/

Thanks for that. I would appreciate any help from piping connection etc and the wrap. If that's ok

 

[nhenson22]

Thanks for that. I would appreciate any help from piping connection etc and the wrap. If that's ok

Sure, just let me know what you need to know, when you need to know it

 

[nhenson22]

The less frequent your compressor cycles, the better. Compressors (by design) are happier running longer vs more often with frequent starts if that makes sense?

I would look into making your differential slightly higher IMO. With a 2C cD you’d be looking at >2 hours between cycles which would be ace in helping with the lifespan of your keezer.

I have a fan inside my keezer, for no other reason than everyone else seemed to do it. It doesn’t help with condensation, only a tea towel in the bottom does. Maybe it potentially keeps internal temps uniform, I have no idea.

Regarding the seal - I picked up lengths of black rubber draught excluder from B&Q. I can’t remember exactly which one as I bought in store and just grabbed off the shelf what looked to be the best fit. It was the Diall brand though:

https://www.diy.com/departments/building-supplies/insulation-damp-proofing/draught-excluders-door-seals/door-insulation-seals/DIY754088.cat

A very smart build and a cracking wee neuk to keep it!

Cheers, have upped differential slightly. I'm using a 2litre bottle of star san for probe and notice that even in this there is quite a difference between the probe hanging at bottom of bottle compared to the top. Maybe a fan is required.

Also, just realised it was you who suggested (when I was in my planning phase) to not bother adding another manifold and extra regulators and just using a couple of splitters. I went on that advice and doesn't seem to be causing a problem so far, plus saved me some cash, so cheers!