My kegerator wont get the beer below 54F

[Jamesconn]

I bought a used kegerator online. Its all stainless steel and ive replaced the beer line, gas line, keg coupler, tap, regulator, and filled the tank. I got a keg of warsteiner dunkel for now. The homebrew place I bought the parts from has classes and I will take some as my finances allow. Right now I have a $200 keg in a kegerator that keeps it at 54F and ive turned the dial all the way to cold. If I am not mistaken warsteiner said optimal temp for the beer is 42F. The kegerator sounds like its running all the time 24/7. What do I do? is my beer going to spoil? Everytime I pour its foam atleast for the first glass or two. The beer line is 5ft 3/16. Co2 pressure is 10psi.

Theres a tag on the back Rapids "house of quality" rapids inc. cedar rapids, iowa Model number PT1 serial number 52059

 

[seatazzz]

How dirty was this kegerator when you got it? Sounds like you might have dirty coils or the compressor is not working right. Did you start it up with nothing in it to let it get down to your desired temperature? Checked with a different thermometer?

Your beer won't spoil in a pressurized keg unless there's o2 in there, which won't "spoil" it but it WILL oxidize it. since it's a commercial keg that's unlikely.

 

[Jamesconn]

I started it empty a few hours before I got the keg. I will put another thermometer in there but it does feel warmer to the touch than I think it should.

 

[waldoar15]

I started it empty a few hours before I got the keg. I will put another thermometer in there but it does feel warmer to the touch than I think it should.

How long has the keg been in there? They take a while to chill a warm keg.

Or maybe a case of "now you know why it was for sale on Craigslist".

 

[Jamesconn]

it has now been close to a day and its still at 54F the second thermometer is the same. I guess I did learn the hard way. Its a shame I spent all that money and I have $200 of warm foam. I let a friend at work talk me out of buying new.

 

[Jtk78]

Sorry to hear this. I've bought a chest freezer for fermentation and a refrigerator for my kegerator from Craigslist or OfferUp. I asked both sellers to have it running before I came to look at it. I would not have bought if they disagreed.

Also, you may need to use a longer beer line. Most around here will recommend a foot of line per psi of co2, but there are calculators for this. It may at least make this keg more enjoyable.

The good news is you can take off all the parts you put into to this and apply it to another unit in the future.

 

[cubalz]

My vote is dirty coils. I do want to ask if you let it sit for a day or so after moving it in to your house for the compressor oil to drop down.

 

[Dcpcooks]

It could be a few things here are a few ideas from Easiest to expensive

Dirty coils/bad air flow use a vacuum and gently clean them or get some compressed air and blow them clean

Bad thermometer that controls the temps.

The unit is low on coolant and needs to be refilled.

I’d search the kegerator companies web site for authorized repair techs and get it checked out.

 

[chezhed]

It could be a few things here are a few ideas from Easiest to expensive

Dirty coils/bad air flow use a vacuum and gently clean them or get some compressed air and blow them clean

Bad thermometer that controls the temps.

The unit is low on coolant and needs to be refilled.

I’d search the kegerator companies web site for authorized repair techs and get it checked out.

If it is running all the time and not chilling more, then the thermostat is not the problem and most likely neither are the coils but it sure won't hurt to clean them. If you can get a fin comb on them, even better.

You can't recharge it yourself but any refrigerator repair place can, so you may just have to visit one. But this is the most likely cause....low coolant. The bad news is this may continue to be a problem......a slow leaker.

Have you been able to contact the manufacturer (that one is unfamiliar to me) and find out how old this thing is?

Keep it around for a fermentation chamber if it will hold a carboy or bucket