Frigidaire Model FRC445GB Mini-Fridge Kegerator Conversion

[repomanz]

how'd you do the fan? wire into something? plug?

 

[njamesd]

Got a 12V CPU fan from best buy, wired it up to a universal plug from Walmart with adjustable voltage. Pretty simple. A lot of people say to use a cell phone charger instead, but if you don't run the fan at 12V I found it to be really underpowered.

 

[njamesd]

Final Product, kegs arent ready til Friday but here:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[Severin]

I know a lot of people have mentioned that 2 pin-lock kegs do now work with this fridge unless you do a major modification on the door. I just wanted to let people know that it is not true.

I have pin lock kegs and both of mine are in the fridge right now just fine. It is a tight squeeze and to make it work I put the keg on the left up on a 2x4. This prevented the bottom lip on the door from hitting the bottom of the keg and preventing closing. However, there is still plenty of room at the top for disconnects.

When putting the kegs in you have to push a little bit but not hard enough to hurt anything. While the space is not ideal for pin locks it is doable without a major modification. And it is definitely better than converting your whole pin-lock system to a ball-lock system.

 

[rkiser]

Got a 12V CPU fan from best buy, wired it up to a universal plug from Walmart with adjustable voltage. Pretty simple. A lot of people say to use a cell phone charger instead, but if you don't run the fan at 12V I found it to be really underpowered.

What did you use for the inside of the door in your picture? I'm trying to figure out the best way to make a finished look with mine.

 

[ClaudiusB]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to make a finished look with mine.

Buy a half sheet 1/8" ABS panel from your local plastic supply house.
As you can see below my cube fridge door is covered with the ABS panel.

Cheers,
ClaudiusB

 

[njamesd]

Mine is a sheet of fluorescent light covering from Home Depot... I forget which aisle it's in, but they have a bunch of different kinda @ about $7.00 a sheet.

Be careful, stuff cracks really easily. Mine is just there to protect the aluminum foil/tape which covers the door insulation.

 

[njamesd]

Finally got the beer tonight... 1/4 keg for $50 from a microbrewery down the street from me. Filled same day as pickup, thats fresh!!!

CO2 was a little screwy to figure out at first, but were perfect now.

 

[rkiser]

Here is what I wound up doing for the door interior to fit two kegs:

 

[pdx503wx]

I just completed my conversion last week with a 1/6 barrel and corny keg in the model bought at Lowe's. I had to do a little cutting and carving in the base of the fridge to fit a 1/6 barrel with a sankey tap, but this along with a 90 degree elbow from Kegworks helps with the clearance of the beer lines. Without both, the beer line will pinch at the top of the fridge. On the right I took off the light and temperature casing and just moved the insides to the back of the fridge. The gas is diverted with a two valve diverter to each keg. Pretty simple, just make sure to provide some support under where you will carve out in the floor of the fridge. I did not run into any lines either.

Here are some images

 

[RobbyBeers]

Thanks to all for this thread---I had some kegs ready with no place to go, so this came in the nick of time.

There is talk of different models with different door layouts---I went shopping at several locations over the past few days, and I found that Lowe's only carried the version with the more intrusive door layout (built-in shelves, can rack, etc.), and Best Buy only carried the version with the simple door (removable plastic trays).

As you can see from the previous posts, either model can be converted---the Best Buy version is probably a little easier, but their model also seems to carry a bit higher price (~$10 in my area).

Not sure if this has been explicitly stated so far, so I just wanted to throw it out there.

 

[repomanz]

I bought the one from Lowes and recently did a conversion on it.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-frigidaire-lfph44m4lb-conversion-build-225730/

I ended up hacking the door in a few places to get the kegs to fit in right. I probably could have pushed/twisted them in without modifying the door but since i voided the warranty already, i guess it really didn't matter what i did. I may even mod the door more and remove most of the inner molding so it's nice and flat on the inside.

FYI - i thought the copper tubes near the refrigerant line would work however i have foamy first pours. Once the newness wears off on my conversion I'm gonna pull it apart and go the fan route.

 

[Kieran]

For those reading this thread and still unsure whether or not this will fit 3 kegs, here's some picture proof! I was able to get a 3 gallon on the back hump with plenty of wiggle room. I'll test it again with two 5-gallons when I actually convert this fridge in a month. There's tons of space, so it should be no problem.

 

[repomanz]

For those reading this thread and still unsure whether or not this will fit 3 kegs, here's some picture proof! I was able to get a 3 gallon on the back hump with plenty of wiggle room. I'll test it again with two 5-gallons when I actually convert this fridge in a month. There's tons of space, so it should be no problem.

Hi Keran - what's your plan with your Co2 supply? I have two corny kegs + dual regulator housing w/ 5lb co2 and there isn't much head room back there after that. The regulator arm taking up most of the space. I assume you hacked on your door some?

 

[Kieran]

Hi Keran - what's your plan with your Co2 supply? I have two corny kegs + dual regulator housing w/ 5lb co2 and there isn't much head room back there after that. The regulator arm taking up most of the space. I assume you hacked on your door some?

Since my CO2 is going on the outside, I'll keep the dual regulator on the outside as well. I'll put two bulkheads through the hump for the hoses, and two 2-way manifolds on either side of the 3 gallon keg in the back so I'll have some flexibility running one regulator for carbing or different serving pressures. I think it will be a pain to try and fit the regulator on the inside. My door is unmodified, I just removed the plastic shelves.

 

[Chavi]

This thread is amazing! I learned everything i need to know about minifridge conversions. I have been lurking this thread for like a year now and am going to buy the "new" model of this fridge at lowes (they are currently 179.00). I have a couple of questions... I am going to use a shank in the door instead of a tap tower and wanted to know three things:

1) I am planning on using a 15/16 size bit to drill the hole for the shank. Will this work and will i need to use any caulking or a wood piece for support?

2) What length shank do I use? I have one shank that I used for a full size fridge but it is way too long. I was curious if anyone knew the appropriate length to use. (im planning on buying the shanks from kegconnection)

3) Does the door need to be completely removed to fit two kegs inside or do I just need to remove some parts of it.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Vongo]

Here is a picture of mine finished, i actually have magnets holding my drip tray right now.

I just did this same conversion last night...took all of 5 min to do.

 

[BaldManBrew]

How many coolant lines are running on top of this fridge? Several? They seem awfully close together too, worries me. I think I would prefer my tap centered in the middle, but if you have found that there are typically less coolant lines somewhere else on the top, I will start digging there.

Also, I don't see any reference to if anyone refilled the insulation with insulation (spray). Follow-up question (excuse the newbness), but would the canned spray foam insulation have any negative effects on the now exposed lines?

 

[37OliveStBrews]

The coolant lines are not consistent from
fridge to fridge from what I could tell. In mine when I chipped away at the foam the lines didn't run a specified consistent distance from each other. This makes it hard to plan ahead where you will drill for the beer lines.

 

[Flyin]

Just read thru all 47 pages and all my questions have been answered. I'll be heading to Best Buy tomorrow to pick one up (model #BFPH44M4LM @ $190). Found a brass 3 faucet tower on craigslist for $100. Should be able to pour next weekend with a 5g,5g,3g setup & then try for a 1/6,5g,3g.

Thanks to all, a lot of good/useful info here.

 

[schreck]

Just read thru all 47 pages and all my questions have been answered. I'll be heading to Best Buy tomorrow to pick one up (model #BFPH44M4LM @ $190). Found a brass 3 faucet tower on craigslist for $100. Should be able to pour next weekend with a 5g,5g,3g setup & then try for a 1/6,5g,3g.

Thanks to all, a lot of good/useful info here.

Ive been reading through this thread too for a while, but could never find the mini fridge models as they had been discontinued.

Glad to see this thread back up and running with some new model #'s.
@Flyin : Do you know for sure that this fridge will take 2 Ball Lock Corneys?

I might have to pick one up as ive been dying to make the leap to kegging, especially now that im renting in an apt with roomies and need something noninvasive and easy to move!

 

[schreck]

my days of hoarding bottles is coming to an end! haha

 

[jmo88]

Do you know for sure that this fridge will take 2 Ball Lock Corneys?
!

I have two ball locks and a 5# tanks in mine, the newest model sold at HD. You don't even need to mod the door. Although, just looking at it without the cornies in there, it'd be hard to believe.

 

[schreck]

are you referring to the Magic Chef 4.4 (http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) or the Danby 4.5 cu ft (http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...lay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)? either look good at ~$130 and $170 respectively.

 

[jmo88]

are you referring to the Magic Chef 4.4 (http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) or the Danby 4.5 cu ft (http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...lay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)? either look good at ~$130 and $170 respectively.

I'm referring to the new models of Frigidaire. SORRY I meant Lowes. NOT homedepot

 

[schreck]

thanks for clarifying... i prefer lowes anyway.

looks like the model # is the same as the one Flyin was referring to
Model #: LFPH44M4LM @ $179 (stainless model). Possibly the Black may be cheaper at a different store. Lowes has them priced the same.

 

[jmo88]

thanks for clarifying... i prefer lowes anyway.

looks like the model # is the same as the one Flyin was referring to
Model #: LFPH44M4LM @ $179 (stainless model). Possibly the Black may be cheaper at a different store. Lowes has them priced the same.

Right. That's the one.

 

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Any issues with foaming problems if you put the taps through the door? I don't plan on adding a fan and I figured the lines should stay cool enough since they don't have to go through a tower?

 

[Flyin]

thanks for clarifying... i prefer lowes anyway.

looks like the model # is the same as the one Flyin was referring to
Model #: LFPH44M4LM @ $179 (stainless model). Possibly the Black may be cheaper at a different store. Lowes has them priced the same.

Reading thru all this, I remember seeing the Lowes model has the can dispenser on the door, the one from Best Buy does not. Other than that its the same. Post #463 shows a 5g,3g,3g setup with only the shelves removed no other mods. By removing the light & turning the t-stat 180* you can fit 5g,5g,3g.

 

[Flyin]

Any issues with foaming problems if you put the taps through the door? I don't plan on adding a fan and I figured the lines should stay cool enough since they don't have to go through a tower?

Should have no problems as long as your beverage lines are the right length. Adding a fanwill keep your temps more consistent & the fridge will run less.