Refrigerated CO2 Canister Questions

[ntillemans]

I recently picked up 3 free 5 gal kegs. I've been looking into building a kegerator with the Sanyo dorm fridge. I've read that some people are frustrated with the short service they get out of their refrigerated C02 canisters (at least the 5 lb ones). I read somewhere that someone was able to fit a 10 lb canister in their kegerator. Maybe that wouldn't be so frustrating...but, then, would it be best to keep the canister outside of the fridge (meaning: is the shortened service under the cooler temp enough to warrant keeping the canister outside of the refrigerator?) Of course, I would prefer to drill as few holes as possible.

Thanks

[straight cash homey]

I'm not sure how lowering the temp of the gas would change how much is need in solution. If anything, it seems like it might carbonated slightly faster, but nothing noticeable. And the total amount used would be the same. It seems like it would be more dependant on the temp of the beer itself. Although I have heard that if the regulator is refridgerated it's slow to respond to adjustments. I dont know what im talking about.

[bashcraft]

I'm not sure what you heard, but temperature has nothing to do with the service of a co2 bottle.

[Mylo]

Yeah, it sometimes causes confusion to new keggers who come home from the LHBS with a CO2 tank that registers full - then they put it in the fridge and it registers 2/3 of the original high pressure. No gas has been lost, but the colder gas now has a lower overall pressure. It lasts just as long. Most people put them inside (if they have space) to avoid cutting another hole in the fridge. Mine's on the outside to maximize the keg space inside.


Mylo

[Todd]

The temperature of the CO2 tank will change the measured reading on the gauge based on the Universal Gas Law, PV=nRT

Without typing too much myself, here is the wikipedia explanation that does a decent job:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideal_gas_law

So if it's in the fridge, the pressure will read slightly lower, if at room temp it will read higher as the density of the gas contracts/expands with the applied temperature.

In 6 years of pharmacy school we learned all sorts of neat and interesting science stuff. OK, enough of the science, I need a beer. Cheers!

[idolan]

I've got a practical question along the same lines -- I've just started kegging & realize that I'd really like more room inside the fridge (full-sized Amana fwiw). Is moving the CO2 outside as simple as CAREFULLY drilling a hole in the side, running gas line through it, & sealing w/ silicone? I've got a 4-port manifold that I'd then put inside w/ a second regulator for Scottish & English ales...

Thanks!

[Mylo]

You have to be careful when drilling through any walls on fridges. I have heard about people making up some sort of solution with corn starch and spraying it on the outside (the cooling lines will become visible then). You might want to see if you can get a diagram from the manufacturer. BTW - not recommended for any chest freezer - use a collar instead. Good luck.


Mylo

[Lars]

When I drilled the hole in my fridge I used a slodering iron like tool (looks like a soldering iron with a socket on the end - came with a toner refill kit) to burn through the plastic on the inside, checked for coolant lines then drilled the hole.