Homebrewers Association | AHA Forum
General Category => Brew Systems & DIY => Topic started by: Nick Garrod on September 15, 2020, 05:55:22 pm
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I decided it was time for an upgrade to my fermentation chamber. I built the "Son of a Fermentor" about a year ago and, while it worked great, I wanted something that could hold two carboys and not require me to swap out ice jugs in an attempt to control the temperature.
To keep cost down I was able to reuse the foam and fan from the "Son of a Fermentor", I got the ac window unit for free, and used my bucket heater. To control everything I am using the Inkbird ITC-308. The frame is all 2x4 and the exterior is .25" plywood. The interior dimensions of the chamber are 24" x 36" and 30" tall. I used 2" and 1" foam to insulate things, and used spray foam to fill in all the gaps. I put wheels on the bottom when I realized that I wanted to be able to move it around without help from a few friends. Cost for all the parts that I already didn't have was about $175
The bottom frame
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347010391_9d95281ecf_o.jpg)[/url]
Insulation installed
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50346315748_f5f25b8996_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGZA8i)
Frame for the chamber
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50346315698_b75e5a95ab_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGW2CG)
Top and one side wall installed
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347168167_6dba9f8abe_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGW2BQ)
Put first wall on wrong side...swapped and put two more walls on
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347010096_29155af4e7_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jH1p2z)
All walls on and foam installed
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347168017_ab8d555429_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGZA3d)
Inside look of the ac unit. The openings above that are for a heating chamber I built. (pic below)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347010001_d5d3f1f7a4_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jH1oYZ)
Door frame done and foam insulation installed on top
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347167877_23ed4352b9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGZA1z)
Here you can see where the ac unit is hiding. The frame above that is where I built a heat chamber. Air comes in on the right, gets warmed by the bucket warmer, and blown back in the chamber. I liked this setup because I'm not dealing with a heating element that gets really hot but can still warm things if needed.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347167782_72ca82f074_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jH1oWz)
Door is on. It's snug, but I'm willing to accept some leakage around the door.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347167737_69883bd3c6_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jH1oUW)
A close up of the ac unit and fan for the heater coming into the chamber
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347167657_8dd47959cc_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jH1oUa)
Top wood is on and stain and paint are complete.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50347009621_2f6372edb8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jH1oSM) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGZzU2)
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That looks incredible! Great job! I wish I had the space for something like that.
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Looking like a nice set up. I built one a few years ago. One thing I would suggest is getting a CoolBot so you can cold crash/have cold storage of you want. It's been a nice addition. Here is what I came up with below
http://imgur.com/gallery/oqQE0mJ
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It was smart of you to put doors on so you don’t have to lift fermenters over the top.