Freezer Project- Finished w/ more Pics

[twenty5]

If you are retro fitting a used, free freezer, I doubt you are storing 10,000$ worth of cigars in it. I wouldnt say that using only beads is skimping at all.

That being said, if you have the cash I would grab an accumonitor in addition to the beads, if not, the beads seem like the better option.

 

[RonC]

the freezer in the pics looks like it can easily store about 50 boxes plus more in the door. 60 boxes at $150 each hits the $9000 mark.

My advice is that if you are spending $250-$300 on an Accumonitor for this fridge, also buy a pound or two of beads. That extra $60 will be well worth it.

If you planned on loading it with beads, then consider adding in a $250 Accumonitor.
With the Accumonitor, you will need less beads. Refilling beads with water is eliminated, you only fill the accumonitors humidity canister. You are also tackling the circulation fan issue that most fridge users have to address because the fridge is large and cooled.

 

[Zedman05]

^ I agree.
The larger the cabinet, the more air you should move around to keep humidity regulated. These stand up freezers are not completely sealed, there is always a small amount of air leaking out from somewhere. I have been thinking of doing the same as I have access to lots of refrigerated equipment time to time. I am just waiting for the right unit to come along.
My opinion (yes you can take it for what it's worth :| ) is that whenever the cabinet gets to a certain size you should be recirculating the air around to allow for maximum air distribution. If you do not move the air around, you could end up with the top beads running out of humidification faster than the bottom beads and not even realize due to the large distance from your humidity sensor.
Another question for OB Left is; do you live in a naturally humid environment ? If so then you might want to get some beads as well to keep the humidity down. I personally live in a climate that never needs the beads and so an active source is by far the best situation.

Just looking at the type of freezer you have there, you might want to check behind that temp. controller on the right hand side of the cabinet to see if it is sealed properly behind it. As well make sure the refrigerant lines that run through the wall are still plugged up with that gum-like material as it will get old and brittle over time. Those stand up freezers do not have a drain so no need for plugging that up as well.
Like stated before, I have been thinking of doing this for a while as well, but can't figure out if I want to rip the inside apart and put some nice wood in there, and build a nice wooden door, or just clean the thing out really well and use it as is.
Good luck with your build, have fun and keep us up to date.

 

[OB-Left]

Another question for OB Left is; do you live in a naturally humid environment ? If so then you might want to get some beads as well to keep the humidity down. I personally live in a climate that never needs the beads and so an active source is by far the best situation.

Just looking at the type of freezer you have there, you might want to check behind that temp. controller on the right hand side of the cabinet to see if it is sealed properly behind it. As well make sure the refrigerant lines that run through the wall are still plugged up with that gum-like material as it will get old and brittle over time. Those stand up freezers do not have a drain so no need for plugging that up as well.
Like stated before, I have been thinking of doing this for a while as well, but can't figure out if I want to rip the inside apart and put some nice wood in there, and build a nice wooden door, or just clean the thing out really well and use it as is.
Good luck with your build, have fun and keep us up to date.

I'm assuming Great White North means your one of those damm Cunucks.... I'm in Michigan. Not overly humid most of the year, even near the lake. Thanks for the suggestion, had not though of looking behind the old thermostat. I pulled all the refrigerant lines out of the hole drilled into the unit. Will use it to pass power cords in and find a way to plug it afterwords. Mine does have a drain in the bottom of the unit as it was a frost free unit. Easy enough to plug up. My plan is to leave the wire shelves and use it as is. Will have plenty of cedar boxes filling it up. Looks like Ron is going to give he a great deal, so it will be the Accumonitor with a couple of lbs of beads for good measure. :thumbsup:

 

[Alwayslit]

- Make sure it is clean and odorless

- Check to make sure it is completely sealed, if not apply sealant where necessary

- I would replace the metal shelves with spanish cedar (not necessary but better looking)

- Add your beads or whatever you plan to use for humidity control

- Throw a couple of fans in to move the air

- Fill it up and good luck!

^^^this^^^ good luck with the project.

 

[OB-Left]

So Ron cut me a great deal on the Accumonitor, (Deal on Avallo Accumonitor 5-10 ), and I got two lbs of HCM beads through the group buy. Now it just has to arrive.

 

[RonC]

looking forward to pics of the project.

 

[Mathen]

My mother in law is giving us her old freezer for Christmas even though my wife patently does not want it. It briefly occurred to me when I heard the news that I might convert it, but now I'm feeling like that might almost certainly be the case.

I appreciate the inspiration. I'll let y'all know if I need in on that group buy.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

[OB-Left]

Beads have come in, waiting on the Accumonitor. Damm I hate waiting...

 

[OB-Left]

Ok, so the accumonitor came in a couple of weeks ago, but with Christmas and everything I didn't have time to get things put together. Well its now done.



Pic #1 shows the hole in the back of the unit where the coolant line came inside. It now brings in power and is sealed with aquarium sealant.

Pic #2 Fan number one suspended below one of the wire shelves, bottom.

Pic #3 Water reservoir in bottom of unit.

Pic #4 Combination.



Pic #5 Control unit attached to side with Velcro.

Pic #6 Humidity sensor attached to back wall with Velcro.

Pic #7 Combination

Pic #8 Second fan again suspended top shelf.

Then to show that I was never really that good at tetris, I'm going to have to get better, because I just added 16 Cu. Ft. of storage and I can see that its close to being filled. Pics follow.



Current storage is 40 boxes of sticks, assuming a price tag of $150 - $200 per box. Then the inventory ran approximately $6,000 - $8,000. Well worth the $250 to protect it. Also has 2 lbs of beads.

 

[orangedog]

nice! looks great!

 

[Jfire]

Very nice Randy thanks for the porn! One last thought. Your probably going to need to set the accumonitor at the preset humidty of the beads. If not the beads are going to absorb the excess moisture, become saturated and thus lose there ability to absorb any excess during the more humid months. Once again congrats!
jfire

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

Wow that looks amazing, great to see that initial idea come to completion. Def was a good investment to protect that sweet collection that you have.

 

[GoingPostal]

Wow look good only thing i noticed is you have some gel humidifiers in there. The gel will ruin the beads, don't know about the accumonitor but i mixed the gel and beads and it ruined my beads, it was in a 150 ct humidor, don't know if size is a factor

 

[MKS446]

That is AWESOME! Congrats!

 

[javajunkie]

outstanding project, man, and good to see it completed! and i love the verocu tubos in the door like delicious sticks of butter. o)

hope this thing runs like clockwork for you for a long time, and thanks for sharing the story. now to get off my a$$ and finish my project!

 

[ciggy]

I met Randy when he just about joined this group of nut's.
I feel like we've raised a monster with him...seeing his wine-a-door grow into a big freezer fridge....so awsome!! You have to be proud of that!!

 

[TADD]

Impressive.... most impressive. That is wicked! That is a great looking project. I have no experience with beads or gel jars.... or an accumonitor... Good luck let us know what kind of tweeks you need to make (hopefully very few....) now you just need some big beautiful spanish cedar drawers and shelves....

 

[JimmyC]

Very nice setup and awsome collection!

 

[Ahmed]

impressive