Kenmore Kegerator Temperature Issues

[MrZ123]

So I just got a used Kenmore kegerator. It is old, from sears, but in nice condition. It is definitely Kenmore.

With the temp turned all the way down, it is getting down to about 42 degrees. I hear the compressor constantly on (never turns off).

I have a fan circulating air in it which helps a bit, but still the beer is not getting below 40.

Anyone have suggestions? Will thermostat replacement, moving temp sensor, etc make a difference?

Thanks for any help.

[MrZ123]

Someone must have some suggestions on how to make this kegerator 4 degrees cooler...

[bonefish]

can take several days to stabilize at a specific temp. Don't open the door for several days. Measure the temp from poured beer. Move your unit away from the wall to allow air flow.
SEAN

[monkey710]

If it is old and the temperature never goes down further...then maybe it needs a recharge of freon which basically means it is no good.

If the compressor is constantly on, then moving the sensor or a new controller probably won't do it since it can't seem to make it any colder.

[MrZ123]

Thanks for those tips. I have let it sit for days with a digital wireless dual probe thermometer inside it. One probe in water glass, the other just in the inside. Both read 43 degrees.

As for airflow, the unit is not right up against a wall. There is a big metal grill on the back that does get pretty hot. Would cooling that off with a fan or something make a difference?

[Skinsfan1311]

Originally Posted by MrZ123

Thanks for those tips. I have let it sit for days with a digital wireless dual probe thermometer inside it. One probe in water glass, the other just in the inside. Both read 43 degrees.

As for airflow, the unit is not right up against a wall. There is a big metal grill on the back that does get pretty hot. Would cooling that off with a fan or something make a difference?

I have an older Kenmore, and it's probably very similiar, or even identical, to yours. It's the brown dorm looking fridge, with a particle-board vinyl covered top, mug rail and a 2 1/2" tower? In the box itself,there is also a wrap around cooling-plate.

If your looking at the back, through a mesh screen, the thermostat is located on the left hand side, and is manually controlled, the compressor is
near the middle.

I did a few simple mods to it and it works like a champ.

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Here's the link.

Starting my Kenmore Kegerator Rehab - w/some Before Pics

If the pics don't show up, shoot me a PM with your e-mail addres and I can send you the pics.

I keep the thermostat cranked to it's coldest. I think,(as it's been a while since I measured the temp in the box), that the temp of a glass on the inside get's down to around 36 - 37 degrees.

I tapped my first keg of the year, a few weeks ago, and the eer temp at the tap, (utilizing the "chug" method), was 40 degrees. I measured the temp a few hours after it was tapped.

I haven't checked since then, but I suspect that the beer coming out of the tap is a probably a degree, or two, cooler now as the keg has had time to cool properly. In any case I only tap ales which taste best at around 40-42 degrees.

Contrary to what I've read, I keep the kegerator outside on my back porch. It's kind of sheltered, so not completely exposed to the elements. The previous owner did the same and it works like a champ. The grill on the back does get hot, especially near the top where it comes out of the compressor.

I actually do have a fan, that is behind the unit on the ground, that I use in the summer months when it's hot and humid out. During the summer, I have it on a timer, so it turns itself on during the hottest part of the day. I don't know if the fan helps improve the cooling, but it does allow the unit to cool down more quickly and I bet that's the reason that my compressor isn't running all of the time.

I was told that it might be possible to pull the thermostat, take off the cover, and adjust it so that it's colder. I'm no expert, in that department, so you may need to consult someone with more knowledge.

Whatever you do, don't waste any money on a keg, until you get the temperature issues figured out!

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[bard]

If the coils are clean, the fan over the coil turns quickly, the box is sealed properly and it still doesn't cool properly then it's time to get a repair man to check it out.

[MrZ123]

Could you be more specific on how to clean the coils, what fan you mean, etc?

I am not extremely familiar with the inner workings of this baby. Yet I am saavy so I can figure it out with details.

Thanks a bunch.

[Skinsfan1311]

Originally Posted by MrZ123

Could you be more specific on how to clean the coils, what fan you mean, etc?

I am not extremely familiar with the inner workings of this baby. Yet I am saavy so I can figure it out with details.

Thanks a bunch.

I'm not sure what bard means by the fan either.

If we have the same kegerator, (I e-mailed you the pics of mine), there is no fan. I included a picture of the compressor, the thermostat and the wiring diagram with the pics that I sent you.


Here's a pic of the back of the Kenmore unit, with the grille removed to expose the compressor, (in the middle), the thermostat controller,(small box on the left), and the condenser coil,(which runs off to the right of the compressor, coils up and runs down the back of the fridge)

[IMG][/IMG]

[MrZ123]

Bard, could you please give me insight into cleaning those things you mentioned?

Thanks

[bard]

Sorry, I assumed you had a fan on the outside of the unit that blew across the coils like mine which is like most regular refrigerators. As for cleaning the coils, just make sure they aren't covered in dust, pet hair etc. Blow compressed air or vacuum any and all dust off every thing that looks like it may hold refrigerant.

[MrZ123]

Does the compressor on this kegerator have just "ON" and "OFF"? If can it be higher and lower?

[bard]

Compressors are either on or off. The temp control unit controls when it comes on/off.

[MrZ123]

So if the compressor is running 24/7 and it is still not getting down to temp, then what shall I do?

Thanks

[THE ICEMAN]

If you are sure all things that need cleaning are clean & all fans are running then it sounds like a refrigeration issue - low on refrigerant. If yours is like the picture posted, feel the suction line on the left side (the 3/8" line) of the compressor. It should be cool to cold. The discharge line on the right (the 1/4" line) should be very hot. If this is not the case you need to get someone out to service it.

Later, THE ICEMAN

[MrZ123]

The left line is indeed cold, actually it even freezes over sometimes. The right line is quite hot.

I have not cleaned all the wires and everything, could that possibly make a difference?

The plate in the back of the fridge just doesn't seem to be getting that cold, it gets a bit icy on the top but the bottom not so much.

[THE ICEMAN]

The evaporator plate should be uniformly cold from top to bottom. It's difficult to diagnose without seeing it but I would guess you have a restriction in the filter/drier or the capillary tube. In other words, the refrigerant is not circulating though the system like it should.

THE ICEMAN

[MrZ123]

Thanks for the information iceman. Now how do I fix the problem???

[THE ICEMAN]

I would suggest you break down & call in a service company that knows how to diagnose & work on those units.

THE ICEMAN

[MrZ123]

Arggg, do you know anyone good in the NYC area?

[MrZ123]

Also, if I put a fan behind the kegerator, where should I place it?

Should I have it blow on the whole metal grid plate on the back that gets hot? Or should I put it on that little coil that gets hot to the right of the compressor? Or on the compressor itself? Or on the cold coils?

Thanks

[MrZ123]

Ok, so I managed to solve the problem on my own, here is what I did:

1.) I had placed a fan inside the fridge to circulate air. I removed it.

2.) I placed the fan instead behind the unit blowing on the small loop of coils to the right of the compressor (loop can be seen on the image above).

3.) I also used a hair dryer to make sure the entire door lining was sealed off when the door closed.

4.) Lastly I put new plumbers putty around where the pipe enters the fridge in the back.

Now the liquid temp inside is 37 degrees, air temp is 36 degrees! It may even still be getting colder which means I would have to turn the thermostat down!!

Thanks everyone for all of your help. Next step may be installing a blower.

[Skinsfan1311]

Originally Posted by MrZ123

Ok, so I managed to solve the problem on my own, here is what I did:

1.) I had placed a fan inside the fridge to circulate air. I removed it.

2.) I placed the fan instead behind the unit blowing on the small loop of coils to the right of the compressor (loop can be seen on the image above).

3.) I also used a hair dryer to make sure the entire door lining was sealed off when the door closed.

4.) Lastly I put new plumbers putty around where the pipe enters the fridge in the back.

Now the liquid temp inside is 37 degrees, air temp is 36 degrees! It may even still be getting colder which means I would have to turn the thermostat down!!

Thanks everyone for all of your help. Next step may be installing a blower.

Well done! I'm telling you, once you get an old Kenmore dialed in, it should work great for years to come.

Just for laughs, the other day I checked the liquid temp of the beer coming out of the tap, from my Kenmore. 36 degrees

Be aware that it takes a while to cool down a keg. I get my kegs from a local brewer. They store them ice-cold and it takes me about 10-15 minutes from the time I pick it up, until I stick it in the kegerator and I still let it sit for several hours before tapping.

It can take even longer if you get kegs from distributors, who don't always store kegs as cold as they should be kept.

Don't forget to get new beer-line and a beer-line cleaning kit.

Good luck!