Portable igloo cooler kegerator

[TimmyR]

I thought I posted this. There are cheaper ways to build this, but here's how mine went out the door.

 

[ekjohns]

has anyone tried shaving off the parts of the cooler that stick out on the inside? I have 2 2.5 gallon cornys with rubber on top and bottom and I cannot get them to slide all the way in. I noticed black marks on the extrusions for the ones closest to the corners which makes me think that shaving them down would give me the extra fraction of an inch.

 

[TripleHopped]

That will expose the foam that is under the plastic to water when the ice melts. Then you will have a heavy water logged cooler with funk growing in the foam part of the cooler.

 

[ekjohns]

My plan was to cover the foam with epoxy to make it water tight

 

[ekjohns]

I have heard the 60 and 70 at is the same size but online the measurements are actually bigger for length and width. Can anyone confirm?

 

[-Dan-]

That's not the case. The inside is definately a different size too

 

[ekjohns]

great looks like I will be selling my 60 and getting a 70

 

[-Dan-]

60qt works for one keg, 70 is needed for two. I have a 60qt cooler and it works well for my needs

 

[Gregscsu]

DIY Koolerator:

The are several possible setups for this kooler:

• 1 - 3 Gallon Keg, CO2, Regulator, and Faucet

• 2 - 3 Gallon Kegs, CO2, Regulator, and 2 Faucets

• 1 - 5 Liter Mini Keg, CO2, Regulator, and Faucet

• 2 - 5 Liter Mini Kegs, CO2, Regulator, and 2 Faucets

• 1 - 3 Gallon Keg, 1 - 5 Liter Mini Keg, CO2, Regulator, and 2 Faucets

• 1 - 3 Gallon Keg, 2 - 5 Liter Mini Kegs, CO2, Regulator, and 2 Faucets

• ^^^^^^ This is my prefered setup and allows you to tap one mini keg until it kicks and then tap the next mini keg.

• 1 - 3 Gallon Keg, 2 - 5 Liter Mini Kegs, CO2, Regulator, and 3 Faucets

• 3 - 5 Liter Mini Kegs, CO2, Regulator, and 3 Faucets

Regulator,

As for parts:
1 - 60qt Igloo Cube Cooler
1, 2, or 3 - 4" Shanks
1, 2, or 3 - Beer Faucets
1 or 2 - 3 Gallon Ball Lock Kegs
1, 2, or 3 - 5 Liter Mini Kegs
1, 2, or 3 - Mini Keg Taps "The type that Souixer Brewer built"
1 - 5Lb CO2 tank with regulator
Ball lock fittings to match your desired setup
Gas lines - approximately 18" per tap
Beer lines - approximately 5' or 6' per a tap

 

[mattyb85]

Target currently has the 70 quart at a great price!

http://www.target.com/p/IGLOO-Ice-C...r-Cooler/-/A-10281497#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton

I was gonna wait to buy this but at this price I can't say no!

 

[ekjohns]

yeah I was looking at the target one. Only problem is they screw you on shipping. Sports authority has them in store. I was going to try and price match

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

yeah I was looking at the target one. Only problem is they screw you on shipping. Sports authority has them in store. I was going to try and price match

The local Tractor Supply has a pile of them. I think the price was $45.

I got mine at Gander Mountain.

 

[ekjohns]

Okay getting ready to pull the trigger on a 70 qt model. My 2, 2.5 gallon kegs with rubber on top and bottom will not fit in the 60 qt. They start to fit but about halfway down they get stuck. Can anyone confirm that 2 of these kegs will fit in the 70 qt?

 

[Golddiggie]

I can fit a pair of either 2.5 or 3 gallon kegs with the single metal handle in the 70 quart Igloo cube cooler. You might want to put the CO2 on the outside (get or make a gas bulkhead). If the keg you're looking at is the same height and width you'll be fine.

BTW, Rebel Brewer has the 3 gallon kegs at a great price (brand new). I'm getting all of mine from them these days.

 

[ekjohns]

How much wiggle room do you have with the 2 with metal handles. Mine have rubber and are a tinny bit wider cause of that

 

[Golddiggie]

Enough room that they fit without issue. One was more on the axle hump, but that was ok too. Idont think that I would be able to fit kegs that are wider than the ones with metal handles. That's also why I said to put the CO2 outside so that there's room for ice to keep the kegs cool.

 

[ekjohns]

SUCCESS!!! Using the 70 qt I was able to fit 2, 2.5 gallon kegs but it was a tight fit. Actually to say tight is not giving it its true justice. I had to lube up the kegs and cooler with vegetable oil and wiggle the second keg back and forth until it got low enough to close the lid. Even thought the lid closes the keg stick stick out of the cooler with the lid open (see last photo). The lip of the lid hits the handle of the keg and pushes it very slightly to the side as it closes but one closed it is fine, even with a ball lock on it. Thanks to the doomed top there is plenty of space. So 2, 2.5 gallon rubber handled kegs will fit with some effort. Here is the proof







this is going to make for a fun camping trip

 

[SkipperNC]

I've kegged but 4 brews now and I'm already sick of toting growlers everywhere. This entire thread is full of awesome. Thanks to Dr. Deathweed and also to you folks recently posting the double 2.5 gal pics. I now have some shopping to do, this is going to make for some epic lake days.

 

[TimmyR]

I've kegged but 4 brews now and I'm already sick of toting growlers everywhere. This entire thread is full of awesome. Thanks to Dr. Deathweed and also to you folks recently posting the double 2.5 gal pics. I now have some shopping to do, this is going to make for some epic lake days.

Post any questions. I subscribe to this thread and get quick updates. Did I post my material and price sheet? I can email it to you too.

 

[TimmyR]

SUCCESS!!! Using the 70 qt I was able to fit 2, 2.5 gallon kegs but it was a tight fit. Actually to say tight is not giving it its true justice. I had to lube up the kegs and cooler with vegetable oil and wiggle the second keg back and forth until it got low enough to close the lid. Even thought the lid closes the keg stick stick out of the cooler with the lid open (see last photo). The lip of the lid hits the handle of the keg and pushes it very slightly to the side as it closes but one closed it is fine, even with a ball lock on it. Thanks to the doomed top there is plenty of space. So 2, 2.5 gallon rubber handled kegs will fit with some effort. Here is the proof

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2571205200064533511KthkOS

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2487015470064533511oslBhH

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2431972350064533511qUGWnR

this is going to make for a fun camping trip

Nice work. I think the culprit is the slight indent near the wheel wells. You can notch a section of rubber base lip to allow it to clear I think. That's just what I've seen from when I built mine. Planning to keg my next two batches in my 2.5 's for my family vacation.

 

[ekjohns]

the other thing is there is a bead of rubber that goes around the keg where the rubber top and bottom meet the SS. This could be shaved down but I don't want to modify my brand new kegs. The trick I found was to use vegetable oil to help everything slide down nice and smooth. Tight but smooth

 

[TimmyR]

the other thing is there is a bead of rubber that goes around the keg where the rubber top and bottom meet the SS. This could be shaved down but I don't want to modify my brand new kegs. The trick I found was to use vegetable oil to help everything slide down nice and smooth. Tight but smooth

Yup. I've seen that on new, small kegs. Mine do not have it.

 

[TimmyR]

Since I realized I've posted this before. Here are two other links with info from me and others on this project. The parts list is in the NB forum.

Goin' Mobile - Northern Brewer

Rolling Kegerator - BN Forum

 

[CoalCracker]

Has anyone been able to fit one in an orange 5 gallon drink cooler? I only have one keg and don't want to buy another due to price. So this would work perfect if it fits with enough ice.

 

[DrHops]

I hollowed out the lid of one of the new rolling 5 gallon beverage coolers. Then cut a found hole at the back of the lid and another at the front of the lid, the back hole for the co2 hose with a paintball tank mounted to the back between the rails of the handle, and the front hole for the spout. It fits my 3 gallon kegs perfectly, I drop in an ice blanket between the keg and the inside of the cooler and it's lasted through 6 hours of 90 degree heat at the pool and another 3-4 hours in my friends backyard.

 

[verbhertz]

I hollowed out the lid of one of the new rolling 5 gallon beverage coolers. Then cut a found hole at the back of the lid and another at the front of the lid, the back hole for the co2 hose with a paintball tank mounted to the back between the rails of the handle, and the front hole for the spout. It fits my 3 gallon kegs perfectly, I drop in an ice blanket between the keg and the inside of the cooler and it's lasted through 6 hours of 90 degree heat at the pool and another 3-4 hours in my friends backyard.

Picture? That sounds awesome.

 

[DrHops]

 

[DrHops]

The black piece on the back is a piece of 1 by 6 inch board that I painted black and epoxied to the back of the cooler. I attached a water bottle holder for a bike and two velcro straps to hold the co 2 bottle.

 

[ekjohns]

Is everyone moving the co2 tank outside cause the bottle is freezing? Im taking mine camping tomorrow and have yet to decide how I want to mount the 20oz paintball tank

 

[DrHops]

I moved mine to the outside due to the size of the tank. It wouldn't fit on the inside. When I use my 70 qt ice cube cooler, it sits on the inside. I've never had an issue with the co2 tank freezing up. Just make sure that the tank is sitting straight up and down, you do not want to have it sitting on it's side.