Brewery in a Bind? Here's How We Helped Gnarly Barley Keep Their Cool July 2, 2025 The Challenge Gnarly Barley Brewing ran into trouble when a local power event caused their condenser fan VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) to fail. With the VFD offline, the condenser fans couldn’t operate—triggering high discharge pressure alarms and putting their entire chilling system at risk. To make matters more complicated, the failed drive was an obsolete model, and a direct replacement was no longer available from the manufacturer. Our Solution We stepped in with a modern retrofit using a current-generation VFD—the same type we use in our chillers today. This wasn’t just a simple swap; it was an opportunity to upgrade the system in multiple ways: Replaced outdated components with newer, more reliable tech Upgraded the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) to a newer version with enhanced safety features and better long-term support Cleaned up the condenser electrical panel, removing over 50 feet of unnecessary wiring during the retrofit process The Results Working closely with the brewery’s technician onsite, we uploaded the new PLC program and reconfigured the system. The new setup allowed the PLC to send a direct control signal to the VFD, efficiently managing all condenser fans in unison. The end result? Improved pressure control within the chiller system Reduced energy consumption thanks to smarter, more unified fan control A cleaner, more maintainable electrical panel ready for future growth This retrofit not only got Gnarly Barley Brewing back up and running quickly—it left them with a more efficient, more modern chilling system overall. To find out more, give us a call 541.345.3903 or email info@gdchillers.com