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Message |
    
q-ceps
Member
Username: Qceps
Post Number: 106
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 03:58 pm: | 
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I am planning to improvise a primary/lagering fridge by insulating an existing two-level shelf (2x2ft, 6ft tall) and feeding cold air from a small window-side AC unit. The air flow would ideally be designed so that the bottom shelf has carboys at lagering temps from direct air stream and the top shelf holds carboys in primary, maintaining 9-13*C from indirect "residual cold".
How cold could this get? Did anyone try lagering this way? |
Joseph Listan
Advanced Member
Username: Poonstab
Post Number: 543
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 04:53 pm: |
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In theory, it would be almost as cold as the exit air from the unit. If your insulation is really good, the only other heat source is the yeast, which isn't much.
I am planning a very similar project, but my main concern is the larg amount of turbulent, "dirty" air. Probably not a major concern. |
q-ceps
Member
Username: Qceps
Post Number: 107
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 04:57 pm: |
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It seems none of the specs for AC units quote air temperatures (probably because it all depends on ambient and fan speed), but I would at least like to know if it could ever get below, say 5*C. Anyone ever measured AC output temp? |
J. Steinhauer
Advanced Member
Username: Jstein6870
Post Number: 510
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 05:20 pm: |
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I've never measured outlet, but with a floor length tablecloth, the space under my dining room table would stay 50-55F with one central A/C vent under the table. I don't think I would want to count on the A/C for lagering at the 30F, as icing may be a problem. Chest freezers aren't that expensive. |
Doug Pescatore
Senior Member
Username: Doug_p
Post Number: 1194
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 05:30 pm: |
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In general, the coils should not fall below 32F unless you are low on freon. That said, I have seen an overworked window unit spit ice off the coils once and work just fine the rest of the time I stayed there. So it must have been just the right conditions to get the coils to or below 32F just that one time.
-Doug |
J. Steinhauer
Advanced Member
Username: Jstein6870
Post Number: 511
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 11:28 pm: |
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Whether it ices or not also, I think, depends on the humidity inside the space being chilled. If window a/c units dehumidify (like central units and modern frostless freezers), and if the space is sealed, then it is probably okay. The a/c will still have to have some surfaces somewhere below freezing to maintain lagering temps in the low 30's. I would like to hear from those with experience, though. |
Michael Boyd
Intermediate Member
Username: Mlboyd
Post Number: 272
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 10:01 pm: |
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There are cooler-humidty controllers made for wine cellars. A bit pricey but they do exactly what you'd want for a lagering/storing box. |
Ben Schy
Member
Username: Bens
Post Number: 126
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 10:09 pm: |
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Qceps:
I bnuilt a cold room using a wall AC unit to cool it. It stays between 35F and 38F.
http://www.beanblog.org/cold.html |
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