Danby DAR440BL Mini-Fridge Conversion to Kegerator...

[chrismtb]

That's a good approach for 2 kegs, but I have 24 in my rotation, so it would be much easier to trim the plastic in the fridge.

I don't know of a slightly smaller fridge.
I do know that my kegs won't quite fit side by side in my beer fridge. I could have trimmed interior plastic from the fridge, instead I trimmed rubber from the edges of the kegs. The top and bottom rubber flares out where it laps the steel. I used a drawknife to shave it down. Most people don't own a drawknife, a sharp chisel or razor scraper will likely be fine. I only shaved the edges at two opposite points on each keg. Now they squeeze in.

 

[JohnSand]

Wow! :rockin:
Well, I have 5, so, still easy to trim. Good luck with your install. Mine is free standing, still using picnic taps. Planning upgrades (aren't we always?)

 

[chrismtb]

My outside bar, which is made of cement and stone, has a built-in metal box for a mini-fridge / wine fridge. The 33"x20" space worked perfectly for mounting my old (very heavily modified) mini-fridge kegerator. Unfortunately, some mice recently ate my beer lines, gas lines, and compressor lines and I'm stuck trying to find a replacement. I haven't been able to find anything yet that seems like it would fit 2 kegs without cutting out the compressor bump or making a collar, so I might be forced down that route (again).

 

[handwrought]

Great thread! I'm looking at doing this Dandy conversion. Is there any reason not to mount the c02 tank outside? I have a 20# from an old welder I no longer use.

 

[stever1000]

Great thread! I'm looking at doing this Dandy conversion. Is there any reason not to mount the c02 tank outside? I have a 20# from an old welder I no longer use.

I have a 20# tank outside with no issues

 

[Phischy]

Has anyone converted the Danby DAR440A6BSLDB? It's at costco for $150.

 

[gib_250]

I'm about to this weekend. Just got my tower in this week.

 

[TimelessCynic]

I purchased the fridge at Costco as well. Model DAR044A1SLDD

Could be very similar construction to the one you are asking about. Mine looks the same as in the pictures at the start of this thread except it has a faux stainless steel front.

My kegs are slightly slimmer than the korney kegs so I didnt need to trim the side of the fridge to fit two in. I just needed to trim the door a little.

 

[JohnSand]

I've bought a tap tower (well, 2, but that's another story) and I'm planning my conversion soon. I'd like to be able to adjust pressure without removing the kegs. Has anyone succeeded in moving the gauges to the door? Or on top of the kegs? Got pictures? Thanks.

 

[TimelessCynic]

my 5lb CO2 tank with regulator sits behind my two kegs in the middle. If you have a fat arm it will be hard to get in there to adjust the pressure. I am not sure how you would get the gauges to the door without moving the tank from the back to the front.

 

[JohnSand]

Thanks Timeless. I've found that I can reach over the kegs to adjust the pressure, but it's not easy. I don't think my arms are too fat, but I'm 6'5" tall, so they're probably not skinny either.
I was really hoping for some ideas to leave the tank in the rear, but move the gauges. In further reading I've also seen the idea of leaving the tank outside and running the line up through the drain in the fridge.

 

[Ike]

For those running similar systems:

any luck stacking two 2.5 gal cornys in the same space as one 5 gal? I generally do five gallon batches of beer, but also have friends and SWMBO who like ciders and ginger beer.

 

[JohnSand]

I have a 5 and a 2.5 in my Danby right now. I just measured, the 2.5 is 16" to the top of the handles, taller to the top of the connections. Another 2.5 would not fit on top of it. There are smaller kegs, but I do not know their dimensions.

 

[thekraken]

Has anyone been adventuress enough to drill through the side (or rear) walls of this thing? If so can you share the "safe zones"? Don't want to hit a line...

 

[Teewinot]

Since the cooling panel is on the back wall, can we assume there are no lines in the top or sides? I suppose I could do the starch/vodka test to be sure, but who wants to waste 5-10 minutes?

I'm also thinking of running my tap handles through the door with a drip tray below. As long as the shanks aren't too long, that might be alright as well. Still, a tower looks so cool. Any input or thoughts are welcome.

 

[thekraken]

I've cut a whole through the "roof", behind the light, just like OP. So have many others.

I'm still wondering my self if there are any areas on the side walls we can drill through? Not sure how the starch/vodka test would work out vertically on the sides...

Anyone fully opened one of these things up or have schematics or anything?

(edit) On second thought I suppose the starch test might work on the side walls. Couldn't hurt to try.

 

[JohnSand]

I would not cut the sides. These radiate heat from the sides. I just felt mine, the back is cool but the sides are warm. There are diagrams online for cutting the top. I cut a hole in the hump to route my gas lines. I searched and found a couple of blogs and youtube videos.

 

[Terrapin]

Has anyone been adventuress enough to drill through the side (or rear) walls of this thing? If so can you share the "safe zones"? Don't want to hit a line...

Sadly I ruined one by not taking the time to do the starch test and nicked a line, I had purchased it used so "only" $60 down the drain. 😫 I was very careful to only cut the exterior sheeting and probed for the line, but it only takes one tiny nick ...

 

[Jewfei]

Has anyone tried to fit a quarter slim in this kegerator? I've been buying sixtels but they run out too quickly... maybe i should just drink less haha

 

[jkfongus]

The OP's images are no longer showing for me. Any way to remedy this?

 

[JohnSand]

I don't see them anymore either.
This is a fairly common fridge, I think there are youtube videos of conversions, and other threads.

 

[Totally]

It is so frustrating that photobucket made that change, ruined linked images all over the forum.

You can usually still get to them if you go to the users gallery and take a look, though not as easy to follow along with the forum thread.

In this case they are here: http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/spacey0666/library