Recommendations for a digital temperature controller bev-air DD55

[Micmac]

Howdy,

Looking for reccomedations for a digital temperature controller for a beverage air DD58. Concern is keeping power to the evaporator fan at all times.

Thanks in advance

Mike

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Mike, not sure what's going on with your unit or what your trying to accomplish. The dd units evap fan motor will run 24/7 as long as there is power to the unit. Even if your turn tstat all the way to off it will shut compressor off but evap will continue to run. If your evap fan is stopping it is having a problem.

[Micmac]

Sorry I should have been more descriptive. The unit is working somewhat fine. It was a used old unit. I've ended up putting a new evaporator coil in it. Run time for the compressor seems long once the unit cools down. Seems to cycle around 35-45 min on and about 15 off. Evaporator fan runs all the time as it should. It has new door seals with very few if any leaks.
Unfortunately it's a loud unit when the compressor and outside fan are on making my home Pub experience less than desirable. Was going to change out the Tstat to see if that helps reduce the run/off cycles. While going in that direction I figured I'd upgrade to a controllable digital temp controller. Issue I'm having is most temp controllers I'm finding just control power to the unit (Keezer conversion). With no power to my unit I'll lose the evaporator fan and interior light. I could always route their power directly rather than through the new temp controller I'd buy, but I wanted to see if others have done this first.

[KillianBoy]

Mike,
So basically you want on cycle to be shorter? or unit quieter by using a ETC?
Don't know, cycle times seem normal to me, ETC cycle time with short differential will turn compressor on for shorter on/off cycle, so say on for 15 minutes, off 2-3 minutes, so will in essence be on for the same amount of time but turn on and off more often (which would drive me more crazy).
I have to ask, so your basic problem is the unit is too loud?
KB

[Micmac]

Yes I would say that the unit basically too loud. I've also put two additional circulation fans inside to move the air around to see if the compressor will kick on less. That didn't seem to have an impact on the cycle times either. Was also considering getting a new fan blade and motor for the compressor fan to see if it's quiter. I also put some acustic mat inside the compressor cabinet and behind the unit. It's built into my bar so I may just be stuck with the acustics and have to turn the Tstat down anytime we are enjoying a few to make it more enjoyable (sigh). Any ideas would be welcome

Mike

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

I think with the older unit its gonna be a bit noisier. I don't think your gonna be able to get temps down really any quicker with secondary fans.And putting on a ETC. You might end up damaging unit in long run with short cycling of compressor. Only other option would be to remote compressor to a different room if you have a straight shot somewhere.

[KillianBoy]

Mike,
Been a couple threads about loud units, a Edgestar owner did this:

http://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/kegerators-and-kegerator-kits-home/14266-under-counter-edgestar-fan-mod-address-noise-level.html?highlight=loud

Another wanted to put it in another room, found that the daughter was being driven crazy by the noise, I suggested that he pad the room, he never returned.
But what PointPleasantNJBeerguy says, extra fans won't help with temperature or noise, ETC won't help with noise and will cause more wear and tear on compressor and other parts.
If none of these suggestions work, look into maybe running either a remote compressor (as PointPleasantNJBeerguy suggested) or an entire remote dispense system.
KB

[Micmac]

Mike,
Been a couple threads about loud units, a Edgestar owner did this:

http://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/kegerators-and-kegerator-kits-home/14266-under-counter-edgestar-fan-mod-address-noise-level.html?highlight=loud

Another wanted to put it in another room, found that the daughter was being driven crazy by the noise, I suggested that he pad the room, he never returned.
But what PointPleasantNJBeerguy says, extra fans won't help with temperature or noise, ETC won't help with noise and will cause more wear and tear on compressor and other parts.
If none of these suggestions work, look into maybe running either a remote compressor (as PointPleasantNJBeerguy suggested) or an entire remote dispense system.
KB

"Pad her room" LOL. Too funny. I ordered a new motor and fan to see if it makes a difference if not I'm going to look into modified option. I'll give in update when I get the new motor installed

[KillianBoy]

Mike,
Sorry, you misunderstand, OP had put the kegerator in a room on its own, unfortunately the "kegerator" room was right next to daughters room (most contractors won't insulate interior walls unless you tell them to), he also was unhappy with noise, so I suggested he hang movers blankets around "kegerator" room to absorb sound, never came back to report what happened.
I also suggested that he enclose kegerator with some sort of noise dampening curtain while silence is needed, preventing airflow for couple of hours shouldn't hurt, as long as you move or remove after you finished with it.
KB

[THE ICEMAN]

Sorry I should have been more descriptive. The unit is working somewhat fine. It was a used old unit. I've ended up putting a new evaporator coil in it. Run time for the compressor seems long once the unit cools down. Seems to cycle around 35-45 min on and about 15 off. Evaporator fan runs all the time as it should. It has new door seals with very few if any leaks.
Unfortunately it's a loud unit when the compressor and outside fan are on making my home Pub experience less than desirable. Was going to change out the Tstat to see if that helps reduce the run/off cycles. While going in that direction I figured I'd upgrade to a controllable digital temp controller. Issue I'm having is most temp controllers I'm finding just control power to the unit (Keezer conversion). With no power to my unit I'll lose the evaporator fan and interior light. I could always route their power directly rather than through the new temp controller I'd buy, but I wanted to see if others have done this first.

A couple points...

I would not recommend trying to remote the condensing unit. It can be done but you open up a whole new can of worms, it is not worth the hassle in my professional opinion.

There may be a couple of reasons for the long cycle times. You may not have the cooling air needed for the condenser to make the unit 'happy' while tucked back inside the bar. Have you tried running the unit while out in the open? Also, the refrigerant charge may be the issue. On those systems a little too much or a little bit too little can make a big difference.

As far as the noise goes, it has been said before & I'll say it again... commercial units are pretty much always noisier than household units. What sort of noise are you hearing? Is it a howling type of noise or does it sound more like the bearings of the motor might be loose & rattling back & forth? If it is the latter, the only way to cure that is replace the motor.

If you still wish to use an ETC, I would go with this one... RANCO ETC-111000 Digital Cold Temperature Control NEW: Tools Products: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific You may be able to source a better price somewhere else. This is the one I use on my custom built conversion. Just follow the wiring diagram that comes with it. You can pick up the power for the ETC by tapping into the evaporator fan circuit & the just extend the thermostat wires to the ETC & mount the ETC on the back wall of the interior or wherever you wish. You would want to mount the temp sensor near the incoming air of the evaporator, the exterior of the fan guard is a good place.


THE ICEMAN

[Micmac]

Iceman,

It's not a bad bearing type noise. Just a loud fan / moving air type noise. Coming in at an unscientific 55DB seated at the bar and 61DB down by the condenser coils (measured with an ****** app so who knows?). Seems to have plenty of cool air. Top of the compressor is warm to touch after a cycle but not scorching hot.

I timed the cycle today for a couple cycles. 55 min runtime and 25 min off for the compressor. Does anyone know what a normal run/off time should be?

Also for these analog capillary Tstats do the run the compressor until a temp is reached or run based on time? I'm assuming it's temp but just curious.

Also I can pretty much get it below freezing if I put it on a 6 selection. Right now on 4 beer is 34.5 degrees

[KillianBoy]

Mike,,
Cycle sounds right to me, Yup, standard thermostats run on same theory as ETC, once setpoint is reached it turns on, when it hits differential, it turns off. The DD58 (55??) is meant for many kegs and if you have one (especially 1/6), unit will run efficiently and be really cold, once you start putting more kegs in, you will have to turn T-Stat colder.
I found the thread regarding noise:

http://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/kegerators-and-kegerator-kits-home/14163-quietest-commercial-grade-kegerator.html?highlight=dd58

KB

[THE ICEMAN]

Iceman,

It's not a bad bearing type noise. Just a loud fan / moving air type noise. Coming in at an unscientific 55DB seated at the bar and 61DB down by the condenser coils (measured with an ****** app so who knows?). Seems to have plenty of cool air. Top of the compressor is warm to touch after a cycle but not scorching hot.

I timed the cycle today for a couple cycles. 55 min runtime and 25 min off for the compressor. Does anyone know what a normal run/off time should be?

Also for these analog capillary Tstats do the run the compressor until a temp is reached or run based on time? I'm assuming it's temp but just curious.

Also I can pretty much get it below freezing if I put it on a 6 selection. Right now on 4 beer is 34.5 degrees

The off time is good... The run time is a bit excessive in spite of what KB is trying to tell you. The on/off cycle time should be roughly the same leaning toward the off-time. Units of that sort typically have a temp control with a constant cut-in. This means it will turn on at a set temp no matter where you have the dial set. The only adjustment is the cut-off point. The temp you are getting is good & 4 on the dial setting is right about where you want it.

Though it is a bit tough to diagnose a problem on the internet, I am leaning toward a refrigerant charge problem. Take a look at the suction line on the compressor (the insulated/largest diameter one), is there frost coming back to the compressor? If so, you are over-charged. Put your hands on it. What you are looking for is a nice cold line with even a nice sweat. If it is not cool/cold to the touch you may be under-charged. Now, keep in mind, there may be some other things going on such as weak valves in the compressor, a restriction etc.

As for the fan noise, a new blade "might" cure the problem & then again it might not. If you are fortunate, the old blade may have been bent out of shape at some point causing an imbalance which can result in more noise & a new blade would cure it.


THE ICEMAN

[Micmac]

Replaced the motor and fan, and had a service tech come out and check it system. There was a bit too much refrigerant. Running well now with a 50/50% run / off time.


Problem is its still too loud. I had previously put some dynamat soundproofing in the compressor cabinet and behind the bar. It didn't make much of a difference. Any other recommendations to bring the DB's down?

[KillianBoy]

Mike,
I hope you can understand that sound is subjective, some members have said not so bad but others unbearable. Most have said that commercial units are louder than residential units. Also understand that the Edgestar owner replaced the stock fan assembly with a aftermarket one that he found quieter, if you replaced with stock fan assembly, then you basically have a stock commercial unit. As The Iceman noted the sound coming from a commercial unit is louder than most.
Unless you are willing to experiment like the Edgestar owner did, there is not much you can do to quiet unit, the following is what some members suggested:

http://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/kegerators-and-kegerator-kits-home/14163-quietest-commercial-grade-kegerator.html?highlight=noise

Unless as Icemen noted, if there is a howling, rattling or other odd sound, loudness is common for most commercial units.
If you have a floor plan or placement of unit in room, a member might have a better idea of what to do. If in middle of room or no other room on all sides, honestly not much can be done. The noise comes from the vents, if you block vents unit will not run effectively.
KB