[klickitat jim]

If I wrapped glycol coils around my fermentor I would insulate over that with a couple wraps of foam (similar to a yoga mat, or maybe that aluminum bubble wrap stuff)

[majorvices]

If I wrapped glycol coils around my fermentor I would insulate over that with a couple wraps of foam (similar to a yoga mat, or maybe that aluminum bubble wrap stuff)

Use the reflective insulation they use on hot water heaters, I've wrapped everything from fermentors to mash tuns with the stuff. Works great.

Still not convinced the coils will conduct well through plastic tanks though.

[klickitat jim]

I'd think the plastic wall might buffer it a little. Copper coil in the beer seems like would cause temp gradient. Like too cold at the copper and too warm elsewhere. But I haven't gotten my PhD in thermodynamics just yet.

[majorvices]

You don't want copper in the fermented beer (pre fermentation is fine) because the low pH will strip some of the copper into the beer, which you don't want. The coils in the beer would have to be stainless. Copper is a better conductor than stainless so wrapping would be better with copper.

[klickitat jim]

Oh duh, right. Either way, I think freezer with dual control is more reasonable. Or just go with jacketed FV and glycol.

[Jeff M]

Oh duh, right. Either way, I think freezer with dual control is more reasonable. Or just go with jacketed FV and glycol.

I have yet to stumble accross a jacketed conical in a homebrew size.  If you find one post it:)  Otherwise id just put the conical in a giant tub. Ghetto jacket:D

Jeff

[klickitat jim]

A 7 gallon jacketed FV would probably take a 1/100 hp glycol system. I'll bet you could get one custom made for under ten grand

[Jeff M]

A 7 gallon jacketed FV would probably take a 1/100 hp glycol system. I'll bet you could get one custom made for under ten grand

This was pretty much my thought as well!

[euge]

A 7 gallon jacketed FV would probably take a 1/100 hp glycol system. I'll bet you could get one custom made for under ten grand

This was pretty much my thought as well!

Now just think about what you wrote.

[AmandaK]

I guess I have been kind of skirting this issue, but the fermenter I have is a little larger than normal, and won't fit in a fridge or upright freezer. This is why I have been trying to macgyver/rube goldberg a solution.

How big is this thing?

[troybinso]

I guess I have been kind of skirting this issue, but the fermenter I have is a little larger than normal, and won't fit in a fridge or upright freezer. This is why I have been trying to macgyver/rube goldberg a solution.

How big is this thing?

60 gallons

http://www.plastic-mart.com/product/5815/60-gallon-cone-inductor-tank-fully-draining-infd60-24

[AmandaK]

I guess I have been kind of skirting this issue, but the fermenter I have is a little larger than normal, and won't fit in a fridge or upright freezer. This is why I have been trying to macgyver/rube goldberg a solution.

How big is this thing?

60 gallons

http://www.plastic-mart.com/product/5815/60-gallon-cone-inductor-tank-fully-draining-infd60-24

I have the 15 gallon version of that. I bought the conical to fit the fridge.

But it seriously cannot fit in something like this? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/frigidaire-20-6-cu-ft-upright-freezer-white/8822544.p?id=1207352154370&skuId=8822544

Your tank is only 2'-0" in diameter and 4'-0" tall. Surely if can fit in an upright freezer.

[troybinso]

You'd think it would fit, but the upright freezers just aren't deep enough.

[troybinso]

Has anyone seen this solution before?

http://byo.com/brown-ale/item/1877-build-your-own-glycol-fermenter

The short story is that you take apart an air conditioner and put the evaporator coils directly into the reservoir. It sounds a little crazy to me, and I don't think I am confident enough in my electrical skills, but if anyone else has done this, I would love to see any details, pictures, tips, etc. you have to pull it off.

[james]

I've done that, it really wasn't too difficult to do. I took pictures years back when I did it but I'm not sure where they are.  Since I used a digital a/c unit I figured out what resistance the temp probe returned at a high and low temp and matched resistors to those and use a relay to switch between the resistors.  So when I want the ac running I make it think the temp is 85 and when I want it off it thinks it is 65.

I have mine hooked to a manifold I built with PVC and solenoids for each of my brewhemoth fermenters.