Robotic Kegerator

[phoenixmead]

I have been going through this forum, looking for help, or suggestions. This will be my first build. I want to make a mobile, robotic, kegerator. I want it to be completely motorized, and the inside cooled. I would rather not have to rely on ice/water to cool the kegs/lines. Size and weight is also an issue. The build will be made in my apartment and I live on the top floor of a three story walk up.

Any suggestions on where to begin? Resources?

 

[b-boy]

www.iRobot.com?

Actually, can you describe what you want to build? How many kegs? Why do you want it motorized? Is it going to serve you a beer, or just wander around the house from room to room? If it's mobile and untethered, how would you power it - batteries?

I honestly can't picture what you're envisioning.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Got it...

 

[phoenixmead]

I want it to have a two 5 gallon keg capacity. I go to cons that are alcohol friendly and carrying around bottles or a keg all day can be exhausting. I want it to be remote controlled and autonomous. It will have to be battery powered. For now the serving of the beer will be up to the humans, but that can change in the future.

 

[b-boy]

OK - I get it. If this is designed to be used that way can you just cool the kegs really well, and put them in a super-insulated box to keep them cold? That way you can focus your energies on building a remote-controlled mobile platform.

Although that R2D2 keg-bot is pretty cool.

 

[phoenixmead]

I could just insulate the hell out of it and cool the kegs before hand.

If I was skilled enough to make a r2d2 robot that dispensed a brew I would. Right now I would just be happy with a boxy robot

 

[Jawbox0]

The typical mini/dorm fridges are really poor for energy consumption, I can imagine running it off a battery for an entire day. On the other hand, a well insulated cooler will easily hold ice through a whole weekend and there are models that will hold two 2.5g kegs without modification. Finally, cons are usually places where ice is abundant.

My thinking, is to put them two of them in an enclosure, and put your energy into the robotics and the making the enclosure awesome.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f252/portable-igloo-cooler-kegerator-172047/

 

[jason1973]

THESE ARE THERMAL ELECTRIC SO SHOULD BE ABLE RUN OFF A CAR BATTERY.
probaly only hold one keg tho, if not deep anough could build it up.

 

[jason1973]

if go one keg and wrap copper tubing spiral around keg then build insulated body around it, then pre cool keg in fridge, then a 12v pc liquid cooling system should do trick if replace cooling block with the spiraled copper.
also dont forget weight, your servos will have to be able to move your rig.

 

[jason1973]

another idea is 5liter mini kegs and put a mini-keg dispenser in robot.

 

[b-boy]

Probably look into electric wheelchair mechanisms to move this thing around. It would be pretty much preassembled and they have a good range. I'd hate to have this thing conk out on you a quarter mile from your car and you'd have carry it.