I stabbed the back of my kegerator - can it be saved?

[Patirck]

I just did a super bone head move - I needed to refill the 5lb co2 tank so I took all three kegs out of my haier keggerator and took out the co2 tank. I then noticed that the coil in the back was completely covered in ice. I thought - I should let this defrost while I'm getting the tank refilled. Then I thought - hey I bet I could get most of this off with a screw driver so it will be all done in a few hours instead of most of the day - that way my beer won't get warm etc.. So I went at it and got a major portion off - I should have stopped right then because the next jab caused a hissing sound and a pin hole in the coil. It is still mostly covered in ice and frost so I can't take too close of an inspection.

Is this thing ruined? Can I cover the hole with some kind of plumbers putty and refill the refrigerant?

 

[kpr121]

Ehhh from what I've heard it is not a simple task recharging these things. I would call a HVAC place and see how much then charge.

Is it an actual kegerator? Or converted dorm fridge? Sounds like a kegerator, so it would probably be worth a 100 dollar (guessing here) service cost .

 

[DosGatosBrewing]

You can try to solder the coil, but it probably won't hold pressure when you refill it with refrigerant. Most likely the repair guy will tell you to replace the coil.

 

[sakeyfour]

I did a temporary fix with JB weld for an old mini fridge. I could not vacuum the lines so it only worked after for about a year.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Unless you have a friend in the refrigeration business that likes beer, I'd say it's a boat anchor.

 

[timbudtwo]

Solder/braze
get this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-vacuum-pump-with-r134a-and-r12-connectors-96677.html

walmart sells freon

Go to DIY section and report results with lots of pix

 

[Patirck]

I found the replacement part:
http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Evaporator/1222940

It is $68 plus shipping. I don't know what it take to connect it but it doesn't seem like it should take more than simple tools that I have - remember, I definitely own a sharp screwdriver.

Is there anyone with know how on how difficult it is to replace it. It seems to attach with four screws but I'm not sure how it's plumbed/connected to the compressor. I looked in the back but it is not easy to see without tearing things apart.

Timbudtwo - I don't see on the frig where the vacum pump would attach. Is there a fitting that is supposed to be there?

 

[Patirck]

OK - so here is the update:

I called around to 4 places - the only one who would even try to fix it said it wouldn't be worth the money - and probably would not last. Aparently these things are built in a way not to be fixed. If they break under warranty they just ship a new one.

Not wanting to give up, I called Haier customer service and got a number for the factory service place - they wanted $70 for a trip and diagnostic charge and would not give me the time of day when I asked them any questions like - can it really be fixed or how much would it cost to replace this part number...

I think it is a boat anchor

Apparently to recharge the freon, the tech has to make some kind of pin hole with a special device and do the vacuum and recharge it through that -the compressors are not made to be refilled.

 

[SPR-GRN]

Sounds like you are out of luck there man, mini fridges and by extension kegerators are designed to not be serviced, an example i can think of is suspension components in modern cars, no more greaseable fittings - it isn't financially viable to build something to be serviced anymore, because the cost of service is higher than the cost of a replacement part.

My suggestion would be to look on CL for a used mini fridge (check the DIY section for models that work, and directions) take your kegerator apart and transplant the internals into a "new to you" mini fridge - you could be back in action for 50-100 bucks and a little effort on your part.

P.S. Did you at least save your beer?

 

[Patirck]

I just ordered a Danby 10.2 cu. ft. chest freezer from Home Despot. I also ordered another ranco controller for it. The bright side is that I will be able to fit at least 5 kegs and two CO2 tanks (20lb and 5 lb). And probably still have room to lager in it. The down side is that it is not as cool looking and I still feel like an idiot for ruining such a nice little kegerator.

I looked on craigs list but there was nothing of interest for the last 3 days and I can still salvage the tower from the kegerator - this and the tank are about the only thing to salvage from it.

The beer has been sitting at room temperature for 6 days now. I at least connected it to gas but I'm not sure how the temperature spike (to at most mid 70s) will affect it.