My new baby - help work out a few bugs?

[thatguy314]

We've yet to name her. It's fairly standard to what most people have, but I thought I'd show off

Sanyo 4911 fridge off of CL


Fits 2 kegs


Has a 3 10lbs C02 tank and a 3 gauge regulator so that we can carbonate and dispense seperately



To fit the 10lbs tank we cut all the molding off the door but left the gasket intact. We then used a tempered glass shelf that came with the fridge to raise the tank above the compressor and braced it below the tank with some wood supports. This works fine for now, may eventually build a new shelf from scratch.

Was going to put a draining drip tray in but with all the tubing and the kegs, we found it difficult.

The whole setup is made with flare/threaded disconnects so we can change out everything easily. we have a type B sanke tap that we can screw in in case we want to purchase a 5.2G keg from one of the good local breweries (broolyn, capt lawrence). This is a very realistic option because we threw a party to break her in and we killed 2+ kegs among 20 people.

We have a thermometer in the fridge but I get drastically different readings whereever I put the thermometer so I don't really trust the temperature readout. I was thinking maybe buying thermometers and putting them on the kegs, because the liquid in the keg should keep the whole keg a fairly constant temperature. Does anyone else have a better idea that doesn't involve spending 50+ bucks on a temperature controller?

[6thstreetbrewer]

I have the same set up. I get lots of oohs and ahhhs and can I have another. I've noticed that my temp readings vary a lot too but mine is in the garage were it's hot as piss during the day. I just set the dial to around 4 and it hasn't been a problem.

[DannyW]

I think the radical differences you are seeing are from opening and closing the door. When you open the door of an upright (as opposed to chest) fridge, all the cold air spills out the bottom and warm air rushes in the top. Depending on where your thermometer is located in that rush of air, you will get inconsistent readings.

I use a Polder remote probe thermometer to keep track of my fridge temps. The thin wire goes right past the door gasket while the door stays closed and you can read the temp at your leisure. It also doubles on brew day as my strike water monitor, and occasionally as my fermenter monitor if I have to use ice bottles and a cooler to keep temps controlled.

[thatguy314]

No. I put the thermometer on top of the kegs I'm reading 60' the minute I open the door. I put it on that shelf I'm reading 35', but nothing's frozen. I think it's just too close to the cooling coils over there.

I do have a similar remote probe thermometer. I'll try using that, thanks!

[Todd]

To get a true reading you should use a liquid probe, they are usually filled with simple glycol solution. You want to measure the same temp as the liquid that is inside your kegs, not the air that spills out the minute you open the door.

I do this for the 100+ medication refrigerators we have in our health system that I am responsible for. Below is a link to the one we use, and the other nice thing is this model has a memory function so you can track the hi/low trends that the device is cycling through and set it the way you want it with confidence. I use this on vaccine fridges with $30,000+ in drug inventory, it will work well on your kegerator too. I use one in my 10-tap kegerator too.

http://www.healthcarelogistics.com/defa ... code=10368

You can get cheaper ones fairly easy, or make one yourself - take antifreeze solution and put it in a capable bottle and put the air probe through the lid, seal it up, and you are all set. Have fun!

Todd - the brewing pharmacist...