Kegerator: Sylvania SE80106-2

[bradsul]

Cool thing about this project is almost everything can be purchased at Canadain Tire...

I have to admit, I love Crappy. Not many places where I can pick up brake parts and oil for my truck and also a new hockey stick and flatware without leaving the store.

I'm thinking of adhering some cleats to the back wall with epoxy and using a short bungie to keep the CO2 tank from falling. But mine is in there pretty good so I'm actually not too worried about it.

 

[bradsul]

Well my free tower fell through so I've decided to go with Biermunchers PVC tower as well as the drip trays. I emailed Canadian Beverage about ordering some 90* shanks and a couple Perlick faucets so hopefully they get back to me soon. I work pretty close to Canadian Beverage so hopefully I can setup an account or something and pick them up this week.

 

[BeerCanuck]

The tower is working well for me
It's nice having beer on tap

I have shortened up the beer lines and insulated the tower more.
Temperatue is down to ~ 8 C
Beer pours without to much foam at 12 psi

First kegging ..DOH!
I didnt check the seals on the top of a new keg I connected in the fridge to force carb. I was pressuring sealing a newly racked keg a little later when I noticed I had no C02 pressure? Checked the regulator and it was showing no pressure.
This also correlated with a huge head ache....DOH!

After a little back tracing and confirming with some soapy spray on the "force carb keg" I was able to pin the leak to the keg feet not allowing O ring to seal properly.
I think I will look into a C02 alarm close to the kegerator in the future for some cheap insurance ...save on C02 refill and headaches

Bradsul...CBS is good.... a bit pricey for the 90 degree shank $30...everything else was reasonable .

Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[bradsul]

Gotta be careful with the CO2 for sure. I make sure a window is open when I'm doing stuff like that. Not totally necessary I'm sure but I live alone so I don't want to take a chance.

That's not too bad for the shanks, the only place I can find them for a decent price is kegworks.com and by the time you pay shipping and customs it's still cheaper from CBS.

 

[BeerCanuck]

Hi Brad
Just curious how your tower is coming along.
I have been running my kegerator for 2 weeks
My beer brewing buddy wants a kegerator as well.
Im think of possibly upgrading to a keezer...tentatively
I just picked up 2 more cornies for the fridge (8.5" diameter)
The kegerator I believe will be a little to tight for space for two 8.5" diameter kegs
Thats ok for me because I plan on getting 1 more 8" diameter keg to make a total of 6 cornies (3 single handle 8" dia kegs and 3 double handle 8.5" dia kegs)

thanks for the tip of brewtime

Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[bradsul]

Haven't had much time to get to it. I'm hoping to put a final coat of paint on the tower tomorrow night and do assembly Wednesday but will have to see how it goes.

I've not had any problems using 2 ball lock kegs and my 5lbs CO2 in mine so far. It's annoying to have to open the door to use a picnic tap but that will be going away sometime this week.

I was going to make a keezer originally but by the time I bought a temperature controller and had to pay out my own money for the freezer it was just way too expensive.

No worries about brewtime. I just picked up a sack of marris otter for $57, looking forward to trying it after I've heard so much. Picking up some Niagara grape juice this weekend too.

 

[Rico6115]

since everyone is on the subject here, i purchased a chest freezer cheap and now am thinking about weather to go with the tower or make an extension of wood for taps under the door. do u regret using the tower. i know mines a chest freezer and the door opens up top but those towers look real cool. also did u piece out that co2 set up or did u buy a kit canuck? im also searchin for that too. maybe help me out with what i need for a set up like that? i guess after that ill be ready to keg it up. thanks

 

[BierMuncher]

since everyone is on the subject here, i purchased a chest freezer cheap and now am thinking about weather to go with the tower or make an extension of wood for taps under the door. do u regret using the tower. i know mines a chest freezer and the door opens up top but those towers look real cool. also did u piece out that co2 set up or did u buy a kit canuck? im also searchin for that too. maybe help me out with what i need for a set up like that? i guess after that ill be ready to keg it up. thanks

My two cents...

With a tower, once your lid is up...your kegerator is out of commission.

I have my freezer lid open all the time...cleaning lines, changing hook-ups, bleeding pressure...etc.

A lot of these "chores" require me running liquid through the lines to test pressures, flush lines, test carbonation.

I can't imagine openning and closing that lid everytime. Plus, you'll need some extra clearance behind the chest for the tower to clear.



Plus...don't you want multiple taps?

 

[BeerCanuck]

i know mines a chest freezer and the door opens up top but those towers look real cool. also did u piece out that co2 set up or did u buy a kit canuck? im also searchin for that too. maybe help me out with what i need for a set up like that? i guess after that ill be ready to keg it up. thanks

I'll defer the keezer question to BierMuncher since i copied his DIY tower to a tee except I mounted the toilet flange underneath the counter top.

As far as Co2 and regulator goes....I shopped through the Yellow pages for Welding Supplies...I finally got a recommendation to a local Co2 supplier in St Catharines. I got the 5lb tank and a two gauge regulator for $175 and $12/refills. The 2 gauge regulator came from http://www.simgo.com/ as well as the tank I believe.

The Keezer Idea I really like because of the extra space and the ability to control temperatures eg; fementation box / Keezer . I would be nice to have a big freezer box set to ~68 to 70 F for beer/wine/cider.

Brad: The local distributor I deal with for Niagara grape juice is Pontevechio
I bought some of there California select last week...I asked when they are going to get the local Niagara grapes ~end of November. I did some red wine last year for the first time and it turned out very well according to all that drank it ($20/5G pale)


Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[bradsul]

...Brad: The local distributor I deal with for Niagara grape juice is Pontevechio
I bought some of there California select last week...I asked when they are going to get the local Niagara grapes ~end of November. I did some red wine last year for the first time and it turned out very well according to all that drank it ($20/5G pale)...

I didn't think to ask which vineyard Brewtime uses. I'm picking up 23L of freshly pressed gewurztraminer this weekend for $87. I've done a few wine kits and I usually do the ones around $100CAD. They seem to give the best bang for the buck in terms of quality for cost.

 

[bradsul]

Well I finally had time to finish this baby up. I even got to christen it properly with a poker game that went through a keg and a half.

I decided to bolt down the tower, I wasn't happy with the stability of it, especially with one of my large aluminum tap handles on it. I drilled 4 holes for carriage bolts, the tops of the bolts are sealed to the fridge insulation with silicone. On the inside of the fridge I put some metal tape over the nuts.

I also decided on a way to cool the lines in the tower without actually requiring a fan or anything. I cut 2 lengths of copper pipe to extend an inch into the fridge and to within 1" of the bottom of the goose-neck on the shanks. I then sprayfoamed the void in the tower.

The copper seems to be working exactly as I'd hoped in that it is transmitting the cool temperature of the fridge up it's length and keeping the lines cool all the way to the shanks. When I pour that first beer it is the exact temp as the water in the fridge that my thermometer is in.

Here's a close-up of the assembly in the top of the tower.

And here is the finished kegerator. The tower isn't actually crooked, it's just the picture. I even used a level to make sure it was perfect!

 

[Grimsawyer]

That copper pipe idea is AWESOME!!! You just helped me with my future Keezer project! Not sure when I'll get to it but it WILL happen!!! Right after...(insert other beer items here)

 

[OCB tilly]

HMmm, looks like the big CT no longer lists this fridge on their website...last I checked it was 199.99...

Anyone have any tips on where to find this in southern ontario?

 

[bradsul]

HMmm, looks like the big CT no longer lists this fridge on their website...last I checked it was 199.99...

Anyone have any tips on where to find this in southern ontario?

The part # is 43-1825-0 (here is the product page, don't know if the link will work for you). I found it when I searched but I think the Canadian Tire website filters by postal code. According to the online stock status, most of the stores in my area still have some in stock so you can definitely find them.

Edit: In fact all 3 stores they list in St Catharines show stock. That doesn't necessarily mean they are IN the store, but it means you can ask them to get it brought from the warehouse for you (usually is an overnight thing with any truck parts I've purchased).

 

[OCB tilly]

The part # is 43-1825-0 (here is the product page, don't know if the link will work for you). I found it when I searched but I think the Canadian Tire website filters by postal code. According to the online stock status, most of the stores in my area still have some in stock so you can definitely find them.

Edit: In fact all 3 stores they list in St Catharines show stock. That doesn't necessarily mean they are IN the store, but it means you can ask them to get it brought from the warehouse for you (usually is an overnight thing with any truck parts I've purchased).

Appreciate it; looks like this is something I'll definitely go through with...

 

[bradsul]

Appreciate it; looks like this is something I'll definitely go through with...

No problem. If you're not in a hurry, they seem to put this fridge on sale every couple months. I've seen it as low as $159.99, I got it for $169.99. Even $199.99 isn't a bad price though since you now know for sure that it will work.

 

[OCB tilly]

No problem. If you're not in a hurry, they seem to put this fridge on sale every couple months. I've seen it as low as $159.99, I got it for $169.99. Even $199.99 isn't a bad price though since you now know for sure that it will work.

Yeah don't know if I want to wait that long...already have a full corny looking for a home...guess I could just leave it on my balcony until it gets too cold....

EDIT: And I think Canadian Tire will honour sale prices as long as you keep your receipt...no?

 

[BierMuncher]

Well I finally had time to finish this baby up. I even got to christen it properly with a poker game that went through a keg and a half.

Looks good Brad.

Congratulations on your "baby".

Tis nice to draw a small nip whenever you want...eh?

 

[bradsul]

Yeah don't know if I want to wait that long...already have a full corny looking for a home...guess I could just leave it on my balcony until it gets too cold....

EDIT: And I think Canadian Tire will honour sale prices as long as you keep your receipt...no?

You know I'm not sure. You could ask in store or it's probably on the website. I imagine there is a time limit though. Otherwise they'd get people a year later trying to get a discount. I do know they honour lower advertised prices from other retailers. I got my GPS at a substantial discount because of that.

Looks good Brad.

Congratulations on your "baby".

Tis nice to draw a small nip whenever you want...eh?

Most definitely. It beats room temp beer out of a picnic faucet! Plus it looks 100x cooler. Next upgrade is some Perlick faucets, come on Christmas!

 

[BeerCanuck]

Good idea with the copper in the tower for the hoses... Brad.
Cheers to a job completed

My beer brewing buddy says he found a 11 cu ft freezer in the paper....I think he wants sylvia (name we have given my kegerator)

 

[bradsul]

It's always nice to go bigger and better. I'm going to be sticking with this one for quite some time since I live in an apartment but I can't say I'm displeased with it.

 

[OCB tilly]

No problem. If you're not in a hurry, they seem to put this fridge on sale every couple months. I've seen it as low as $159.99, I got it for $169.99. Even $199.99 isn't a bad price though since you now know for sure that it will work.

Woo on sale for 159.99!

 

[bradsul]

From the picture it looks like they've changed the model (the size is different too). Let us know how it works out.

 

[Rudeboy]

Woo on sale for 159.99!

They call it a Salton. It sez 4.6 cu. ft. which is the same as Bradsul's Sylvania. There are only actually two fridge manufacturers. They just stick different brands on them. Of course they also change them ever so slightly but that might be enough to F' it up for two cornies and a tank.

I'm this close to getting it. I just want to make sure it works.

Costco.ca has a Sanyo 4912M but for $269.99. The Salton would be sweet provided it could work.

Please let us fellow Canukleheads know.

Rudeboy

 

[BeerCanuck]

They call it a Salton. It sez 4.6 cu. ft. which is the same as Bradsul's Sylvania. There are only actually two fridge manufacturers. They just stick different brands on them. Of course they also change them ever so slightly but that might be enough to F' it up for two cornies and a tank.
Rudeboy

My beer brewing buddy was interested in the $159 deal so we picked one up yesterday.

The fridge says 4.6 cu ft its made by Salton as you mentioned not Sylvania . I saw that the thermostat was seated lower on the Salton model as mentioned. I unseated this thermostat control and tried to fit 2 standard 8.5" dia size kegs or narrower single handle Spartenberg kegs 8" dia - no go - could only fit one.
Were going to take the Salton back.

Hay Brad...I was up in Hamilton
Look at some of my new beer gear I aquired

Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[bradsul]

I was wondering about that fridge. It looks narrower than the Sylvania.

Like the keg! I'm going to email Wellington Brewery soon and see if they have any decommissioned kegs they want to sell me.

 

[BeerCanuck]

Just returned the Salton back and got a floor model of the Sylvania for my beer brewing buddy. Canadain Tire seemed to be sold out here in St Catharines for this older model. I decided to test fit two standard 8.5" diamenter kegs into Sylvestor and they seemed to fit.

cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[OCB tilly]

Just returned the Salton back and got a floor model of the Sylvania for my beer brewing buddy. Canadain Tire seemed to be sold out here in St Catharines for this older model. I decided to test fit two standard 8.5" diamenter kegs into Sylvestor and they seemed to fit.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/1896179741_05a9f1b4d1_m.jpg[IMG]

cheers :mug:
BeerCanuck[/QUOTE]

Hey! Another brewer in St. Catharines!?

I picked up the Salton at Canadian Tire on Glendale....with some modifications (had to shave down some of those ridges on the interior walls) I made it large enough for two cornies...

I'll post pics once I find the cable for my camera...

 

[bradsul]

Maybe post them to a new thread for that model. Would be nice to keep this one about the one specific model.

 

[BeerCanuck]

Hey! Another brewer in St. Catharines!?

I picked up the Salton at Canadian Tire on Glendale....with some modifications (had to shave down some of those ridges on the interior walls) I made it large enough for two cornies...

That's cool OCB tilly..welcome to HBT
Your from St Catharines...even cooler

I just picked up a manifold/distrubuter and a single tap tower from CBS for sylvestor.
Probably put it together this weekend
Keep you posted

BeerCanuck