Cutting a hole in a Sanyo 4912

[BierMuncher]

Does anyone know the proper cutting (drilling) tool bit to cut a hole in the top of a Sanyo 4912? I'm getting closer to my two-keg-erator and want to shake out the last few wrinkles in my plan.

Also, are we sure that cutting the hole into the top doesn't screw up refrigeration lines, etc?

I'm going for a two-tap tower on the top. :rockin:

 

[John Beere]

I had no problems cutting a 3" hole directly in the center of mine... but I'm not going to be the one to tell you it will work for yours.

After removing the plastic top on the fridge, spray the top down with water and turn the fridge on maximum. If yours is normal, after a few minutes you will see an line exactly 7" from the rear of the fridge where the water is evaporating. If you see this and can feel heat along this line, you are more than likely safe to proceed on cutting a hole through the fridge in the center.

I just used a 3" hole saw and cut through the top but stopped short of going all the way through. I then drilled up from the inside using the same pilot hole.

Here are the notes from my build: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19596

 

[aekdbbop]

i would suggest using as small of a whole saw as you can.. i used 1 3\4 inch.. and it worked great.. and kind of put my mind at ease that i wouldn't even come close to nicking that line...

 

[John Beere]

I agree that a 3" hole isn't necessary if you are leary of cutting the line... I just readily had a 3" hole saw and I figured the larger the hole, the easier the cold air could recirculate in the tower.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

I didn't have a 3" hole saw, so I used the 2 1/8" one from my door handle kit and it worked fine for me. Drill in the center and you should be fine, if you're a little paranoid (it is a $200 fridge after all) do as John Beere suggested and look for the refrigerant line first.

Good luck.

 

[BierMuncher]

...after removing the plastic top on the fridge, spray the top down with water and turn the fridge on maximum. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19596

John,

When you say "removing the plastic top", are you referring to the 3" plug that I just drilled as I started the process? I want to make sure I'm not supposed to disassemble the entire top first...

Thanks.

 

[John Beere]

The top of the fridge is plastic and is held on by a couple of screws in the back and several more in the front. I skipped these steps as Orpheus went through the same steps right around the same time I posted mine. You can review those steps here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19762

 

[gunner11]

Anyone drill holes in the Sanyo 4912 for the gas line in order to keep the CO2 tank outside the unit. I am planning on having a CO2 tank and a Nitrogen beer gas tank hooked up and would like to have both outside the kegerator. I was going to run one of the gas lines through the drain hole on top of the compressor hump, but do not think both lines would fit through there. Where would be the best place to drill a hole for these gas lines? The side of the fridge? The back? How high? How low? Do I have to worry about hitting anything vital, like I did drilling the top for the beer tower? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[user 29649]

I put a quick connect fitting through the back corner of mine. If you turn the fridge on full cool you can feel where the gas lines are, they will get hot. The ball lock fitting is nice because I can quickly use the co2 tank for other uses in a pinch, Force carb or moving beer around.

 

[Bopper]

Holy old thread batman!

Nice idea with the QD!

 

[gunner11]

Awesome! Do you have a part number for the quick connect or a suggestion on where to get one? What size hole did you drill? Thanks for the pics as well. Anyone else have any success or placement ideas?

 

[user 29649]

Its a regular cornie fitting. Northern Brewer sells a adapter fitting #K168. I attached that to a barbed fitting. Drill the hole through the fridge just big enough for the barb to fit through. Then redrilled the back bigger so the rest of the fitting cleared. The tubing is what actually holds it in place.

 

[user 29649]

My explanation seemed a bit confusing

 

[BierMuncher]

Here's my Sanyo:

The drill was easy and the manifold let's me quick charge one keg while the other is shut off to avoid over carbonating.

 

[gunner11]

Thanks for the pics and diagrams! Will get to drilling tomorrow! BierMuncher, does the tubing seal up the holes in the compressor hump pretty well or do you seal them with something else?

 

[monk420]

here is an great video on how not to mess it up

 

[gunner11]

Thanks. I know about the hot line that runs through the top and have already drilled for the draft tower that comes up out of the top of the fridge. I am worried about drilling an additional couple of holes in the back or sides for running the gas lines to a nitro beergas mix tank and a CO2 tank.

 

[greenbirds]

I did exactly what BM did and didn't have a problem. AFAIK there are no lines in the compressor hump, but make sure you drill somewhere that doesn't result in you punching through and hitting the compressor, coolant lines, etc. when your drill bit emerges through the wall (i.e. drill the sides, not the center).

If you drill the holes just large enough to squeeze the gas line through, there won't be any air leakage, and I doubt 2 dime-sized uninsulated areas will let much heat in.