kegorator temp control

[borealis]

So I am looking to convert a mini fridge for kegging purposes and found a link that shows someone doing it on the exact fridge I have to work with.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Kegerator-GE-WMR04GAVBB-45-cu-ft-compact-fridg/

One of the authors replies in the comments section says that the fridge runs all the time and freezes the lines, etc. This is disappointing if true, because I thought I would still be able to rely on the fridge's own temp control and not have to modify it. What do you guys think? Do you think maybe he somehow hurt the fridge's thermostat during the mod?

Thanks!

 

[bowiefan]

The thermostat bulb is located in the freezer compartment, miunted to the evaporator plate in that model. By folding the evaporator down, he changed the operational parameters. Yes, you WILL need an after market temp controler. My first keggerator was also this GE model, been there, sorry.

 

[borealis]

I'm not an expert on stuff like this but like to understand how things work. So when you say parameters do you mean that moving the freezer changes the shape or space around the metal freezer compartment and that makes the thermostat not calibrated correctly (or something like that)? If I have to get an after market control, do I need to drill a hole for the temp probe or is the wire small enough not to bother the door seal?

 

[bowiefan]

I'm not an expert on stuff like this but like to understand how things work. So when you say parameters do you mean that moving the freezer changes the shape or space around the metal freezer compartment and that makes the thermostat not calibrated correctly (or something like that)? If I have to get an after market control, do I need to drill a hole for the temp probe or is the wire small enough not to bother the door seal?

The stock t-stat on that model operates off of the evaporator plate temp, not air temp. The evaporator plate is designed to operate in a very small airspace that is always below freezing temps, and absorb heat slowly from the rest of the cabinet via natural convection around the plastic plate under the coil. When you remove the plastic plate and shift the position of the evaporator you expose it to a much larger volume of air that is much warmer than the coil's design temp. Thus when you turn it on, the unit then tries to get the whole cabinet to the freezing temp that the coil is designed to operate in.

Also trying to adjust the range on the existing control will not work as it is not calibrated for air temps and it's functional range is aprx -40F to -5F

 

[bowiefan]

Oh, after you VERY CAREFULLY bend the evaporator plate down. Notice the hole where the refrigerant tubing comes through the back wall? Pull the putty off and send your probe through there, just don't forget to put the putty back to seal the hole.

 

[borealis]

Thanks alot for the help. If I were willing to settle for just one keg in there, I wonder if I could use 1 pinlock style keg and just fit it in the space as it currently exists since they are shorter.

 

[bowiefan]

Thanks alot for the help. If I were willing to settle for just one keg in there, I wonder if I could use 1 pinlock style keg and just fit it in the space as it currently exists since they are shorter.

Nah, just go ahead with your build as planed and pick up a controler off ebay. It won't up your cost very much and it will be more acurate than the stock anyway. Plus, if you ever outgrow that kegerator, you can move the temp controler to the next one or keep using it as a fermentation chamber.

 

[rocketman768]

I recommend this temp controller from Auber Instruments:

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m..._id=14&zenid=39abaf9c062ae0a70615deb6211f9d03

It's great. This plus a k-type thermocouple costs less than $40, and that's all you need. See this thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/kegerator-magic-chef-mcbr445-191756/

 

[borealis]

If I go with a temp controller, does that mean that during the mod to the fridge I can just remove the existing thermostat rather than move it out of the way? Also, any recommendations on the best place to get the keg set up? I've looked all over online and many of the deals seem comparable pricewise, but you never know about quality, like with the regulator for example.

 

[rocketman768]

If I go with a temp controller, does that mean that during the mod to the fridge I can just remove the existing thermostat rather than move it out of the way? Also, any recommendations on the best place to get the keg set up? I've looked all over online and many of the deals seem comparable pricewise, but you never know about quality, like with the regulator for example.

Yes. You should completely remove the old thermostat if you use a proper controller. Personally, I had a great experience with midwest supplies' "Brew Logic" keg kit.

 

[redalert]

How about this controller? Comes with temp probe. Will this fit the bill?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-PID-Tem...ltDomain_0&hash=item2a0b0783a0#ht_2122wt_1139

 

[rocketman768]

How about this controller? Comes with temp probe. Will this fit the bill?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-PID-Tem...ltDomain_0&hash=item2a0b0783a0#ht_2122wt_1139

It says it runs on 12-24 VAC. So, you will have to buy a 120VAC to 24VAC transformer to be able to plug it in to the wall.