If you haven't added a fan to your kegerator...

[Rahahb]

Do it! I'm a new kegger/kegerator owner. I picked up a used Haier for 130 bucks a couple months ago. Up until last week, I had some ice forming on the plate, and a temp of about 38-40. Finally added a small pc fan. I'm about a 1/4 turn away from "off", and the temp is 36-38 every time I check. The thermometer is sitting on the top of the keg. Also, instead of ice, there is just some condensation on the lower part of the plate.

So far, no foamy first pours either. I'll need more time to verify that result isn't a fluke.

Just a post to get you in gear if you're slacking!! :rockin:

 

[gallua]

I've had my kegerator for 2.5 years now and I've been too lazy to put a fan in. The only downfall for me has been the first pour being foamy. My temp is steady at 34-35.

Maybe I'll actually put one in after I finish my Toolbox RIMS.

 

[aryoung1980]

I just put a fan in three days ago. I was getting a foamy first pour with proper line length. I read some where that the temperature differential between the top and bottom of the keg could be the problem. So far my $10 USB fan from Amazon has eliminated the foamy first pour.

 

[gallua]

I just put a fan in three days ago. I was getting a foamy first pour with proper line length. I read some where that the temperature differential between the top and bottom of the keg could be the problem. So far my $10 USB fan from Amazon has eliminated the foamy first pour.

Where/how did you wire that up? I just don't feel like running wires into my fridge since I've got a closed system now. My C02 tank is inside the fridge with the regulator.

 

[aryoung1980]

I have a 7/8 inch hole in the collar where my temperature probe goes into the keezer. I just ran the power cord through that. It's definitely not the greatest keezer build in the world but it dispenses delicious homebrew.

 

[gallua]

Gotcha, Mine is a mini fridge setup so I'd have to drill into the fridge, hence my reluctance to do so.

You should've seen me cutting a hole for the tap tower! I almost didn't go through with it!

 

[aryoung1980]

Could you possibly drill a hole in your tower and run the power cord through that?

 

[gallua]

I could. I just went to look and there's a drain plug in the back! Then I wouldn't have to drill at all! Save for maybe widening the hole.

 

[Rahahb]

Yep, I ran mine through the existing drain hole. So easy.

 

[natefrog255]

Does anybody have any pictures? I have a mini fridge and think I am having temp issues with my door mount being higher/warmer. Do you just put the fan inside and run the wire to a plug-in? I don't know if I want a fan running all of the time, but maybe can get a timer or some sort. But thats down the road.

 

[BansheeRider]

Does anybody have any pictures? I have a mini fridge and think I am having temp issues with my door mount being higher/warmer. Do you just put the fan inside and run the wire to a plug-in? I don't know if I want a fan running all of the time, but maybe can get a timer or some sort. But thats down the road.

A google search revealed this...

http://www.kegkits.com/kegerator5.htm

And this.....

 

[tooldudetool]

+1 for adding a fan!
The only reason these mini fridges don't have a fan is because they are made on the cheap. Of course air circulation is better than no circulation at all! It keeps the fridge at a much more consistent temperature because it prevents the air from stratifying (coldest on bottom, warmest on top), so the temp controller is reading a more accurate temperature. It speeds heat transfer, and has made a huge difference to how quickly my kegs chill down to temp. I'm not sure what everybody else is doing, but I bought the cheapest, quietest, biggest computer case fan I could find, mounted it to the compressor shelf inside, and ran the 12v wires out through the drain hole. Then I found an extra (cell phone?) charger I had laying around that had 12v DC output, lopped off the jack, wired it up to the fan leads (making sure the fan spun the correct direction), and plugged it in! $15 total, and totally worth it!

 

[BansheeRider]

+1 for adding a fan!
The only reason these mini fridges don't have a fan is because they are made on the cheap. Of course air circulation is better than no circulation at all! It keeps the fridge at a much more consistent temperature because it prevents the air from stratifying (coldest on bottom, warmest on top), so the temp controller is reading a more accurate temperature. It speeds heat transfer, and has made a huge difference to how quickly my kegs chill down to temp. I'm not sure what everybody else is doing, but I bought the cheapest, quietest, biggest computer case fan I could find, mounted it to the compressor shelf inside, and ran the 12v wires out through the drain hole. Then I found an extra (cell phone?) charger I had laying around that had 12v DC output, lopped off the jack, wired it up to the fan leads (making sure the fan spun the correct direction), and plugged it in! $15 total, and totally worth it!

Does it cool your tower too?

 

[natefrog255]

What if I just get a small battery operated fan and put that in there? Or a small corded fan and run it out the side of the fridge? I assume as long as I don't get it wet it should work okay. I just converted my 3.3 cubic foot fridge (door tap) so don't want to invest a ton b/c ideally will make a bigger kegerator at some point.

 

[tooldudetool]

It doesn't really do a great job of cooling the tower, I still get the shot of foam with the first pour of the day, I don't really worry about it though, the way I look at it, you will always have a bit of waste when pouring draft beer. Part of the issue is that the hole I made for my tower is only about an inch wide, with two beer lines running through, so there isn't much room for airflow. I didn't really consider cooling the tower when i first built the thing 5 years ago.. also my fan is pointed out toward the door, not up at the tower hole.

I wouldn't suggest doing the battery thing, most evaporator fans are meant to be run 24/7, and batteries would be a pain. You could easily just run wires out through the door at the bottom, and under the fridge, you wouldn't even see it from the outside, maybe just tape them in place with electrical tape. I would suggest using the DC powered computer case fan, rather than a 120v fan, they use much less power, and you are only dealing with 12v DC in a damp environment, rather than 120v AC!

 

[natefrog255]

Thanks for the information. Yeah ideally I have a mini 4" fan (120v) I wish I could just put in the fridge to circulate the cold air up. I don't have a tower so I don't need to run the tubing up anything, but I don't want to risk any kind of shock or anything either.

The above fans seem fairly straightforward. Splicing into the cord is the only thing that is a little concerning with minimal electrical background. I've changed light fixtures, thats the extend of my electrical work.

 

[natefrog255]

I threw my 4" fan near the top of the keg and just closed the door (plug-in didn't leave much of an opening). My foaming issue has been minimized the best it has. I didn't clean the new line I added, so I think that may be part of the foam that remains. But I think I will need a fan going forward, at least I think I diagnosed the issue.