starting a keggerator project

[davidv53]

OK..

I have been through a lot of threads here getting some ideas. I'm working with somewhat of a limited budget (I dont want to spend much more than 500 on the whole kegging system) so keep that in mind. I would like to have a tower, I plan on building a bar and would like to have the minifridge (probably looking at the Sanyo) I have a couple of questions....

1. How well does the Sanyo model everyone seems to be talking about actually work? Will it keep two kegs cold enough? I'm planning on have a dual tap and hopefully the ability to expand to three. I have heard that the Sanyo can fit three cornelius kegs and the CO2 tank, did I hear right?

2. How important is it that I keep my towers chilled? I am planning to build a bar, and wanted to somehow run the towers through the bar and put the taps on top... is this even possible? If I did this, I am assuming I would have to keep those towers chilled, is it possible to build some sort of little cooling system for a small area to keep the taps chilled?

I know its a bit ambitious to start out with, but I figure if I do it once, I should do it well and make something I can use the rest of my life rather than some rinky dink thing I am gonna want to upgrade in 10 years.

 

[Buford]

1. The Sanyo 4912 can cool to below freezing on max. It can only hold two cornies.

2. It's debated, but I'd say that tower cooling helps.

 

[davidv53]

would just insulating the tower work well enough/just as well? I saw some threads where some insulated piping was put around the tower.


Can the sanyo fit two cornelius kegs and the CO2 tank, or just the kegs?

 

[Flyin' Lion]

would just insulating the tower work well enough/just as well? I saw some threads where some insulated piping was put around the tower.


Can the sanyo fit two cornelius kegs and the CO2 tank, or just the kegs?

I don't cool my tower, but I don't mind slightly warmer beer (stouts are supposed to be served about 55* I think). The sanyo can hold two cornies and a 5 lbs. bottle with some fabrication, but honestly I stick mine outside.

Check out this thread for different setups.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29053

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

If you are talking about a tower on the top of the fridge, then if the hole is big enough the cold air usually keeps the toewer cool enough though usually warmer than it should be.

I just added a little 1.5" fan to mine. I should have made my hole bigger too. I have a 4" diam tower and I could have mede the hole much bigger and may change this soon. I didn't have a hole saw big enough at the time so I think I will buy one and drill it out. The little fan is working fine but it has a high pitched wine and it's driving me nuts.

Inside I added 3" computer fan to circulate air since these fridges cool by having the back plate get really cold. Circulating the air means a spread out even temprerature.

Don't need either of the above but it's a nice upgrade.