Sanyo 4912 Kegerator Conversion

[Ol' Grog]

If you got a Hobby Lobby in your area, the white marker boards are a dime a dozen. You can use the same screws, just don't torque them down too much.

 

[RoaringBrewer]

If you got a Hobby Lobby in your area, the white marker boards are a dime a dozen. You can use the same screws, just don't torque them down too much.

You don't need to remove the door for marker board correct? You can still fit 2 corny and a 5# tank? I was planning on keeping my door on to store yeast and other items...

 

[ohiobrewtus]

you beat me! I hate you!

Don't hate the playa...

If you order soon you'll probably have your conversion done before me, so no worries. I've got 3 more weeks of doctor ordered, post-surgery restrictions of no lifting more than 10 lbs, no bending and no twisting so while I have everything that I need to do the conversion, it won't be done for a few weeks.

I also don't have any brew to keg yet, so I'm not in a hurry. I went ahead and got all the stuff because there a sale.... oh my God... that sounded like something my wife would say.

Evan, if we both start kegging, how are we going to swap 20+ brews a year? I guess it's time to read up on BM's bottle filling method.

Dude, feel free to PM me if I can help you at all with buying all the stuff that you'll need for the kegerator conversion.

 

[Evan!]

Don't hate the playa...

If you order soon you'll probably have your conversion done before me, so no worries. I've got 3 more weeks of doctor ordered, post-surgery restrictions of no lifting more than 10 lbs, no bending and no twisting so while I have everything that I need to do the conversion, it won't be done for a few weeks.

I also don't have any brew to keg yet, so I'm not in a hurry. I went ahead and got all the stuff because there a sale.... oh my God... that sounded like something my wife would say.

Evan, if we both start kegging, how are we going to swap 20+ brews a year? I guess it's time to read up on BM's bottle filling method.

Dude, feel free to PM me if I can help you at all with buying all the stuff that you'll need for the kegerator conversion.

Are you kidding me? First off, I'm not doing anything until the new year re: kegging. Well, I did buy a couple Ventmatic faucets because they were cheap as hell on ebay, but that's it. I've got 4 cornies already. And I just got a 10% off Best Buy coupon, which will knock about $20 off the 4912. But the wife and I agreed, nothing till after new years.

As for bottle swaps...you know how much I brew, and you know that just having 2 batches on tap at a time isn't gonna cut it for me. So I'll probably keep a few on tap at any given time, and continue to bottle the rest of them.

Thanks for the offer on the help...I'm sure I'll need it!

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Are you kidding me? First off, I'm not doing anything until the new year re: kegging. Well, I did buy a couple Ventmatic faucets because they were cheap as hell on ebay, but that's it. I've got 4 cornies already. And I just got a 10% off Best Buy coupon, which will knock about $20 off the 4912. But the wife and I agreed, nothing till after new years.

As for bottle swaps...you know how much I brew, and you know that just having 2 batches on tap at a time isn't gonna cut it for me. So I'll probably keep a few on tap at any given time, and continue to bottle the rest of them.

Thanks for the offer on the help...I'm sure I'll need it!

I'll be doing the same. Eventually I'll be adding 4 more taps when the homebrewpub is done but that could be a ways off.

I'm doing two 10 gallon batches this weekend so if that goes well I'm guess that will be my norm and when I can I'll keg 5 gallons and bottle the other.

Even if I had 20 kegs I think I'd still bottle from time to time.

 

[jamebow]

would anyone happen to know the dimensions the dry erase board will need to be cut to?

 

[BlindLemonLars]

You don't need to remove the door for marker board correct? You can still fit 2 corny and a 5# tank? I was planning on keeping my door on to store yeast and other items...

That's correct. With the 5lb tank sitting on the ledge in the back, you can still fit in two kegs so long as they are pushed all the way back. If they aren't sitting just right, the door won't close.

I'm glad I kept my door shelf. I use the can holder for soda, and the shelves for yeast and a few bottles of beer. Plus, the interior light still works.

 

[Ol' Grog]

I went ahead and removed the door molding. You can do all that without removing the door, but it's a LOT easier without it on. The door is really easy to take off.

 

[sublimenal]

Lots of great information there, Im going to start building one myself with the same fridge

 

[RoaringBrewer]

Thanks for the How-To Orph! Just finished my conversion today! And drew my first pint (yes, I admit I shook, but it worked! - the beer was also aged 6 weeks so its not green):

 

[Bulls Beers]

I'm converting my sanyo fridge tomorrow and can't find a 2 3/4 hole saw. All I found was a 2 1/2.Is that large enough?

 

[ohiobrewtus]

I'm converting my sanyo fridge tomorrow and can't find a 2 3/4 hole saw. All I found was a 2 1/2.Is that large enough?

Yes, 2 1/2" will work just fine.

 

[Bulls Beers]

I actually built it last night.Thanks Brewtus, and thanks Orpheus...It was pretty easy...

 

[Orpheus]

Thanks Bulls,

and congrats!

Post up some pics of that bad boy in its natural habitat!

 

[sirsloop]

A few threads that may peak your interest -

Sanyo 4912 Rear Shelf Mod
http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=23566

Sanyo 4912 draft tower stabilization mod and stainless steel rail install tips
http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=24176

Sanyo 4912 Door mod
http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=24507

Sanyo 4912 Door Light Mod
http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=24897


Cheers!

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Finally got around to taking a couple pics:

It's dangerous playing online poker at my desk with that much beer 5 feet behind me.

 

[sirsloop]

play money...lol.. cant drink and play w/ cash.

 

[Brewsmith]

I'm getting my Sanyo fridge on saturday! A friend of mine works at Best Buy. During the Christmas shopping rush I was in there and noticed they had a floor model with a dented door. The manager is letting me get it for a steal. I already have the faucets, now I just need to convert it.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

I'm getting my Sanyo fridge on saturday! A friend of mine works at Best Buy. During the Christmas shopping rush I was in there and noticed they had a floor model with a dented door. The manager is letting me get it for a steal. I already have the faucets, now I just need to convert it.

Outstanding, congrats. You're going to love it!

 

[Brewsmith]

This will be a "portable kegerator." I already have a 4 tap fullsize fridge, but this one will be able to go places.

 

[GIusedtoBe]

Hey guys I did this conversion w/ a double tap tower from kegconnection but can't seem to keep it from foaming too much. What are you guys doing as far as length/width of lines, serving temps etc. I've got mine set on @11 PSI and the fridge set at one notch below the coldest setting.

Thanks,
Al

 

[Ice9]

I've got the same setup and have mine running at 40F with one keg at the moment.
I'm dispensing Caramel Creme ale at about 12psi with a perfect head.

Did you have the keg set at a higher PSI and then change to serving psi without purging the excess pressure from the keg?

 

[cowgo]

hmmmm. I have about 5 feet of out line for two kegs on a 2 tap Sanyo conversion tower, with about 12 PSI and no excssive head problem.

 

[GIusedtoBe]

I've got the same setup and have mine running at 40F with one keg at the moment.
I'm dispensing Caramel Creme ale at about 12psi with a perfect head.

Did you have the keg set at a higher PSI and then change to serving psi without purging the excess pressure from the keg?

No, kegs and sys are at the same setting but I do believe I had the beer a bit overcarbed. I turned the regulator down to about 9 PSI and reduced the temp in the fridge and i got a much better, clearer pour.

I do still get a shot of foam to start and then it runs clean. I start it in a plastic cup and then slide my glass in when the foam clears. I usually only lose about a swallow or two.

Any ideas what causes this?

Also, if i were to lengthen my lines, how do you get at the lines and connections in the tower top?

Regards,
Al

 

[Brewsmith]

I finished my Sanyo fridge conversion. Here's the fridge with the hole cut through the top (Thanks to Orpheus for the how to on the hole)


Here's the tower I had made out of vinyl fencing, 5'' on the vertical, 4'' on the horizontal


Mounting bracket for the tower


Painted Tower


Painted caps and screw covers

 

[Brewsmith]

Holes cut in tower


Converted fridge door


Door Attached


View inside


Mounting bracket attached

 

[Brewsmith]

Tower attached


Mounting screws for tower


Tower assembled to top of fridge


Assembly for liquid lines


Ball lock attached to liquid out line

 

[Brewsmith]

Liquid lines run through tower


View down through tower


Liquid lines into fridge


Faucet assembly (courtesy of the sweet deal from Austin Homebrew Supply on the faucets!:rockin


Liquid lines attached to shanks

 

[Brewsmith]

Shank attached to tower


Both faucets attached


Clearance of the lines in the tower


Completed Tower and faucets


Kegs and CO2 equipment

 

[Brewsmith]

Liquid lines attached


CO2 Tank in fridge


Gas lines connected and ready to go


First pour...


The glass says it all! :rockin: