Anyone ever built a large cooler with an AC unit?

[commonlaw]

Long shot, but this place never ceases to amaze. I have been pricing out 2 and three door commercial coolers/fridges that I need for a side business. I then ran across this idea (http://www.storeitcold.com/coolerconstruction.php). Basically building a walk-in, cooled by AC unit(s).

I really just need to keep a ton of beer cold, so perfect, consistently applied temp is not a huge factor. Nor is aesthetics as it will be in a warehouse. Also, I am not paying for utilities, so I am not worried about electricity requirements. This little project may be time and cost (materials) prohibitive and maybe I should just sack up and buy a commercial unit but....

Thoughts?

[nickwm21]

My dad and I built one when we finished his basement years ago. It is for wine and set at a mid range temp, but my dad often throws beer, soda, meat, and produce in there. We even had a full butchered 60# lamb in there for day or two.

Basically its framed like a closet, insulated very well, MR board, a short (5') insulated exterior door, plenty of gasketing/weather stripping around the door, a stone paver floor. Mounted on the back wall is some sort of AC unit, not sure exactly what it is... We built shelves on one wall and diamond shaped cubbies on the other for wine.

[commonlaw]

My dad and I built one when we finished his basement years ago. It is for wine and set at a mid range temp, but my dad often throws beer, soda, meat, and produce in there. We even had a full butchered 60# lamb in there for day or two.

Basically its framed like a closet, insulated very well, MR board, a short (5') insulated exterior door, plenty of gasketing/weather stripping around the door, a stone paver floor. Mounted on the back wall is some sort of AC unit, not sure exactly what it is... We built shelves on one wall and diamond shaped cubbies on the other for wine.

Thanks nick. How is the performance? Any downsides that you/he experienced as far as keeping stuff cold? Any areas where insulation is failing, etc?

[Crusty]

Well, I have not attempted to cool a walk-in with an AC unit but I have owned more than a few walk-ins, reach-ins and commercial and residential AC units of different types. Also I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night......

The cheapest way to go here will also suit your needs the best. A walk-in (or "ins") with appropriately sized compressors and condenser units is the way to go without a doubt. Usually best to set the compressor right on top of the box with the condenser and fan inside the refer. This works well if airflow above the box is not restricted. Look for newer restaurants that are going out of business, craigslist, etc. You might try restaurant auctions if you like that kind of thing. I would try to find a box you can take apart and transport yourself. The panels are delicate when disassembled. Good luck.

[nickwm21]

Thanks nick. How is the performance? Any downsides that you/he experienced as far as keeping stuff cold? Any areas where insulation is failing, etc?

The thing was not meant to be a fridge, more of a wine cellar, but when the unit is cranked down it can keep a lot of beer pretty cold. I doubt it would freeze anything though. I think the one thing we missed was the floor. An insulated floor would have been better. Just some 2" Dow board on the ground would have been enough.

[commonlaw]

The thing was not meant to be a fridge, more of a wine cellar, but when the unit is cranked down it can keep a lot of beer pretty cold. I doubt it would freeze anything though. I think the one thing we missed was the floor. An insulated floor would have been better. Just some 2" Dow board on the ground would have been enough.

Appreciate the info.

[commonlaw]

Well, I have not attempted to cool a walk-in with an AC unit but I have owned more than a few walk-ins, reach-ins and commercial and residential AC units of different types. Also I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night......

The cheapest way to go here will also suit your needs the best. A walk-in (or "ins") with appropriately sized compressors and condenser units is the way to go without a doubt. Usually best to set the compressor right on top of the box with the condenser and fan inside the refer. This works well if airflow above the box is not restricted. Look for newer restaurants that are going out of business, craigslist, etc. You might try restaurant auctions if you like that kind of thing. I would try to find a box you can take apart and transport yourself. The panels are delicate when disassembled. Good luck.

Thanks. This is what I have been looking into but figured the alternative might be a fun project and make save at least a few hundred bucks. Keeping my overhead down has been a big factor. I have some decent contacts on commercial units and am scanning all options before I pull the trigger.

[shirk]

Someone had linked to this site in the homebrew thread. http://www.mrmalty.com/brewstuff.php

He has built a walk-in in his shed with a cheap window unit and it froze beer. Took 5 years to kill the cheap home unit. This seems like it would be the good budget option.

[commonlaw]

Someone had linked to this site in the homebrew thread. http://www.mrmalty.com/brewstuff.php

He has built a walk-in in his shed with a cheap window unit and it froze beer. Took 5 years to kill the cheap home unit. This seems like it would be the good budget option.

Killer link, I didn't see that. Thanks shirk.