Freezer temp control

[Steverino]

I'm adding a chest freezer to my menagerie of equipment. It's for lagering, so I want to keep the temp at around 32 degrees. I have a Johnson analog controller that I could use, but having one of those hanging on the outside of the freezer is not a very elegant solution, so I'm exploring two different approaches. 1) altering or replacing the thermostat so that it will range up to 32 degrees, or 2) mounting the Johnson unit within the compressor chamber and drill from there into the freezer's interior for the capillary thingy. As far as the latter, I'm assuming the evaporator lines are in the outside walls, not in the bump-out walls that make up the compressor chamber. Been looking on line for the anatomy of this thing, but without any luck, and I'd sure like to know before drilling.

Anybody done either of these and can share any insight? I'd very much appreciate it. BTW, the unit is a Frigidaire 15 cf chest freezer.

[lahdedah]

One thing I would question is that you could negatively effect the airflow in the compressor chamber. They are usually built with a certain air "cushion" around the compressor, as the compressor is typically air cooled.
Do you have a collar on the freezer? If so, why not mount the controller to the back of the collar? You can drill a hole for the temp sensor through the wood and fill with silicone.
Just a thought.

[andrewkona]

One thing I would question is that you could negatively effect the airflow in the compressor chamber. They are usually built with a certain air "cushion" around the compressor, as the compressor is typically air cooled.
Do you have a collar on the freezer? If so, why not mount the controller to the back of the collar? You can drill a hole for the temp sensor through the wood and fill with silicone.
Just a thought.

this is a decent idea. I'm putting together my kegerator over the next week which is a converted chest freezer. mounting options a very abundant. thanks for the extra idea.