Wow, I had found your blog and seen the beast before had never put 2 and 2 togather and connected that blog with you here. Do you have any new suggestions for the beast since you have had it for awhile?
Actually, I have found it to be barely tolerable here in the Sacramento heat. My shop rarely gets below 78 during the summer and the beast struggles bad. While it is still entirely serviceable for ales, lagers/pils are simply going to have to wait until fall.
All in all, the beast is doing exactly as I had hoped. Maintaining 65-75 for nearly any ale is achievable year round now. Pils/Lagers still have to be done once the shop temps drop below 60.
I have done some modifications including wiring the thermostat always on and adding a fan to the evaporator coil.
It is still to this day the single best thing I ever made for homebrewing.
Cheers,
knewshound AKA MM