Oops! Can I cut out this freezer in a mini-fridge?

[spaceyaquarius]

Doh! I ordered the wrong model of Danby mini-fridge for a kegerator conversion. Does anyone know just judging from the photo below if this freezer thing can be cut out? Sounds like a nightmare, and also a long-shot if anyone on here would know just from the pic and the model #, but wanted to try anyway. I know the Danby 440BL is 4.4 cubic feet and barely fits 2 cornelius kegs in it with no freezer up top.

This is the Danby model# DCR122BLDD 4.3 cubic feet


I hate the "refusing the order" when the UPS guy drops a big heavy box on your doorstep (and that's if you happen to be home). Maybe it could serve as a fermenter chamber? Crap!

 

[liquid134]

from what ive seen, usually the freezer part has part of the coolant lines running thru it (usually the bottom of freezer portion) that being said, there is no way to completely cut it out. ive seen people bend it downward out of the way, but even then you have to be careful because you can crack the tube and then you have a big paper weight!

 

[spaceyaquarius]

Crap! The owners manual says "the refrigerator compartment contains refrigerant lines which if damaged..."

I suppose that means they are on the bottom. Time to refuse the package when the pissed off UPS guy shows up. The guy's a jerk anyway LOL.

 

[hedbutter]

Crap! The owners manual says "the refrigerator compartment contains refrigerant lines which if damaged..."

I suppose that means they are on the bottom. Time to refuse the package when the pissed off UPS guy shows up. The guy's a jerk anyway LOL.

You can also slowly bend the drip tray down, as shown in the thread below. The kegerator is still running strong after doing this over a year ago.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ge-smr04damww-dual-tap-kegerator-build-362523/

 

[plankbr]

Why can't you send it back and order the right model?

 

[Hello]

Crap! The owners manual says "the refrigerator compartment contains refrigerant lines which if damaged..."

I suppose that means they are on the bottom. Time to refuse the package when the pissed off UPS guy shows up. The guy's a jerk anyway LOL.

The guy is a jerk? Is that your justification for skipping any research you should have done and really sticking it to the seller? That's super crappy of you if you ask me.

This post shows the same model doing what you want.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/danby-fridge-kegerator-381261/#post4786478 Also, there is a link to how it is done. You just have to put forth some effort to do the conversion.

Do a little research next time you intend to buy a fridge, especially if you're that guy who will stick the seller with unnecessary costs because you can't figure out how to make it work. I realize it is harsh but frankly, I think you're in the wrong here and calling some random guy a jerk to justify your refusal of the package is lame. Clearly you don't "hate" refusing orders and I feel bad for the seller and the UPS guy as you're wasting their time (and the seller's money because he'll have to eat shipping).

Why can't you send it back and order the right model?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[temple240]

I'm pretty sure he meant the UPS guy is a jerk. He probably bought the fridge from Walmart or the like. Not that it changes the situation...

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Home Brew mobile app

 

[Hello]

That is a good point I suppose. But still, for some reason making your mistake someone else's problem and possibly someone else's financial loss rubs me wrong and I'm usually all for a good rubbing.

 

[kombat]

is that your justification for skipping any research you should have done and really sticking it to the seller? That's super crappy of you if you ask me.

Do a little research next time you intend to buy a fridge, especially if you're that guy who will stick the seller with unnecessary costs because you can't figure out how to make it work. I realize it is harsh but frankly, i think you're in the wrong here and calling some random guy a jerk to justify your refusal of the package is lame. Clearly you don't "hate" refusing orders and i feel bad for the seller and the ups guy as you're wasting their time (and the seller's money because he'll have to eat shipping).

+1

 

[Zinc_Saucier]

I have the same (or very similar) model of fridge. I got it for free from someone moving out of a dorm, so I didn't mind trying to mod it to fit two ball locks. It really isn't very hard to do, just requires some careful bending. Removing the door interior, factory thermostat, and wiring a stc were much more time consuming.

Mine is up and running like a champ. I use it to either chill kegs before going into the kegerator (will start carbing soon too) or lagering in the keg.

 

[spaceyaquarius]

The guy is a jerk? Is that your justification for skipping any research you should have done and really sticking it to the seller? That's super crappy of you if you ask me.

Do a little research next time you intend to buy a fridge, especially if you're that guy who will stick the seller with unnecessary costs because you can't figure out how to make it work. I realize it is harsh but frankly, I think you're in the wrong here and calling some random guy a jerk to justify your refusal of the package is lame. Clearly you don't "hate" refusing orders and I feel bad for the seller and the UPS guy as you're wasting their time (and the seller's money because he'll have to eat shipping).

Oh, I'm sorry... do you know my relationship with the UPS guy that delivers to my house? Wait, no you don't, and I bought it from Amazon. Thanks for the judgment though. I'm here to talk about DIY homebrewing issues, you have been reported. BTW... I got free shipping.



And when did refusing a shipment from Amazon/the UPS guy become "unethical"? If I refuse one fridge, I get refunded and then I buy the other model that I want from the same exact seller. Sorry, but that's my choice as a capitalist consumer... socialism hasn't kicked in completely yet.

 

[andrhamm]

wow.

 

[kombat]

wow.

+1

Reported? For calling out unethical behaviour? That's pretty weak.

 

[broadbill]

Oh, I'm sorry... do you know my relationship with the UPS guy that delivers to my house? Wait, no you don't. Thanks for the judgment though. I'm here to talk about DIY homebrewing issues. You have been reported.

and some of us are here to remark about the how despite all the great information out there, people still manage to screw up the easiest of tasks, like clicking on the correct product to order.

Welcome to the interwebs!

 

[Hello]

Oh, I'm sorry... do you know my relationship with the UPS guy that delivers to my house? Wait, no you don't. Thanks for the judgment though. I'm here to talk about DIY homebrewing issues. You have been reported.

Cool. But before you reported me did you copy down the links I provided to answer your question or did you just refuse the package because you have a torrid relationship with your UPS guy? Pro tip: before you hit the report button, visit the helpful links that give you step by step directions on how you can convert your mini-fridge.

Relax and hug your UPS guy. I'm sure he means no harm.

 

[spaceyaquarius]

Relax and hug your UPS guy. I'm sure he means no harm.

Again Hello... you don't know the guy. I guess in your world all UPS guys are great people. Goodbye.


Anyhoo, I got the Danby DCR122BLDD today. Guess what, I was home all day in the livingroom and my friendly neighborhood UPS guy quietly snuck it into the front yard (not on the porch) didn't knock, and had parked 1/4 block away. I've worked for UPS and I know how they do things. I've seen them purposely throw packages against the inside wall of the truck bc they are heavy or they hate the person at the address for ordering too many packages.

After some adjustments, side shelving removal with a box knife, thermostat removal and bending the freezer shelf back, 2 Corny kegs slide right in there along with the 5 pound CO2 tank. I'll post a kegerator conversion after I get it done.

 

[spaceyaquarius]

Just some quick pics.

Bend the freezer compartment to the back wall after taking the phillips screws out and disconnecting the thermostat.



Cut one side of the inner shelving out with a box knife and then seal the cuts with aluminum tape.



Two Cornelius 5-gallon kegs fit in there with the 5 pound CO2 tank on the back shelf. The door shelving still has to be cut out.



Cutting the door shelving takes about 15 minutes. Then just tape with aluminum tape to seal.




Pros: $75-$150 cheaper than the Danby 440BL and usually comes with free shipping. The fridge seems to be cooling more efficiently than my Danby 440BL and is set about 40% lower (in comparison to the Danby 440BL) on the thermostat dial.

Cons: Bending the freezer compartment back, cutting inner shelving, no drain hole to run a wire through for your PC fan, a random internet poster will judge the hell out of you for ordering this model, and the thermostat has to be moved.

 

[spaceyaquarius]

Get that draft tower in and you're golden. It looks like the 3" inner diameter draft tower hole can be drilled in the same place as the Danby 440BL. Pick your draft tower cooling method (PC fan or copper tubing) and you're good to go. Now all you need is a cool Ukrainian Fibbonacci Sequence oil painting to post on the wall behind your kegerator and you're good to go.

 

[spaceyaquarius]

My Danby model DCR122BLDD step by step instructions:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/danby-dcr122bldd-4-3-cf-kegerator-conversion-455781/