Vissani Mod HOWTO (with pics)

[RUok0101]

This post is a guide for those interested in a cheap but fully thermal functional kegerator solution. This is more of an aggragation/photo illustration than anything. All of this info is available in other posts, this post is merely here to help the visual people get a feel for how actually quite simple this mod is so that either those who already have a vissani can resurrect it from being worth more than a paperweight or those looking to get into a cheap kegerator but were perhaps a little unsure if they wanted to head down the "modding" road.

Anyway, I hope that someone finds this information useful. Thanks to all those others who modded before me. Without their insight, I probably wouldn't have gone down this road either.


Items required:

• Vissani 4.9 cu. ft. "beer keg dispenser" model MCKC490S
• 3 - 4" 12vdc computer fan
• 110 VAC to 12VDC "wall" adapter, check your old computer electronics

Tools required:

• Wire cutters
• Philips screwdriver
• Electrical tape

Step 1:

Unpack the kegerator and get your work area ready






Step 2:

Unscrew the thermostat found at the top left inside of the fridge. We are preparing to adjust the screw that will lower the temperature beyond the default range.





Step 3:

Turn the screw indicated by the arrow 3/4 turn COUNTER CLOCKWISE.

[RUok0101]

Step 4:

Cut the connector off the end of the wire on the 12vdc wall adapter. Do NOT connect the fan yet, we need to feed the wire through to the inside of the fridge and if the fan is attached, it won't fit





Step 5:

Run the wire through the hole in the back for the co2 line.





Step 6:

Connect it to the wires on the fan. Plug in the fan at this point (WATCH YOUR FINGERS!). Note the airflow direction. We will want to mount to the air blows out from the back, where we will mount, to the front. I have not tried to put a full size 1/2 barrel keg in yet, so I am not sure if my mounting position will give me issues. Keep that in mind when mounting.

[RUok0101]

Step 7:

Using sticky mounts and zip ties, mount the fan in the back left corner of the fridge, making sure airflow is blowing outward. I thought I took a pic of the post-mounted fan, but I guess not. Sorry





Step 8:

Move the fridge to its final resting place, and of course, pause for a beer.





Step 9:

Connect the tower, hoses, tank, coupler, etc...

[RUok0101]

Step 10:

Load up the nectar of the gods, make sure its all working.






Step 11:

Marvel at its beauty.




Side note:

I bought a micromatic faucet knowing that tap handles were not going to fit well on the vissani faucet. I thought I had read somewhere that "regular" faucets would fit on the vissani tower, but that is not the case. I now have my micromatic faucet setting in the drawer awaiting the day I built a new kegerator with a dual tap setup. For now, the tap handle is just about 1 1/2 turns screwed on, and the lower nut is threaded all the way up to meet it.

Its not perfect but it seems to be holding together. The sacrifices we make for beauty.



That's all. Cheers!

[jreedae]

I would just like to say, I followed the modification instructions in this post, and my kegerator is working great now!! As a matter of fact, I had to go back in and adjust the screw back a little as I froze my beer lines in about an hour!!

Like most, I was very skeptical of the Vissani brand, but my local Home Depot had one on clearence for $346.00. How could I pass that up? I think I spent about $18.00 for the PC fan and AC adapter.

I am now pouring perfect beer at about 34 degrees with my temp setting on #1. I could dial the screw back a little more, but the unit is cycling on and off just fine.

Several years ago, I bought an old refrigertator and converted it into a kegerator. I think I ended up spending about $300 for the whole thing. It kept the beer cold, but I always had foaming problems. I had to keep the CO2 down really low. With the current set-up on the VIssani, I am getting perfect ports every time.

[nebulabox]

Originally Posted by RUok0101

Step 7:

Using sticky mounts and zip ties, mount the fan in the back left corner of the fridge, making sure airflow is blowing outward. I thought I took a pic of the post-mounted fan, but I guess not. Sorry





Step 8:

Move the fridge to its final resting place, and of course, pause for a beer.





Step 9:

Connect the tower, hoses, tank, coupler, etc...

Can you post a pic of how you mounted your fan?

[chief1616]

Worked like a champ. Can you tell me WHY this works? Is it simply a matter of air circulation so the internal thermometer works more accurately?

Also, I used a PC fan with an AC plug....

[arazoza]

Here are pictures of my setup. I mounted the fan pointing towards the tower as a "basic" tower cooler to help with beer foam. My kegerator is already pretty cool as it is so i didn't need to mount another one to circulate the air better.

[seanf76]

do you point the fan to blow the air towards the door to towards the back of the kegerator

[immortals]

You guys are hardcore. Returning the vissani and building my own was the way to go.

[Signal 20]

How many people are mounting the C02 bottle and regulator inside the cabinet and what benefit if any do you see from it?

[cubby_swans]

The benefit is space saved and appearance of a tank on the outside of the unit. That's it.

[zman]

Did the Mod down to 34degrees and dropping.Just wondering by turning the screw and adding fan are we sitting oursleves up for much higher elec bills(Not that money beats out COLD BEER) or even worse chance of Overheating of the unit?By adjusting the default setting have we left oursleves open for a Problem? Zman

[c5guru]

No, this is actually the same solution that Magic Chef will send to you in a PDF if you call them to complain about it. It's funny that they don't have this "service manual" with the fridge when you buy the product.

[dh4645]

i did the easy thermostat "mod" and it got my temp down to 38 easily. I dont want it too much cooler because I keep other drinks in there too. like gatorade and soda. dont need them freezing and busting their guts all over my kegerator.

i might do this mod if it gets worse.

2 questions:

1 - where do i get a sweet pull handle?

2 - do any of you use 1/2 kegs?
it appears as though 1/2 kegs do not fit, even though the directions say they should (other than Coors).

I had a 1/4 keg of Miller Lite (with the extra rubber padding around the keg) and had to set it on the lip/ledge (in the back-bottom of the kegerator) in order for the door to close.

my tall 1/4 keg of yuengling fit fine, as did my 1/6 of shock top, but when i have a party, i'll want to get a 1/2 keg, but am scared it wont fit.

one other issue i am having:
the faucet has a slow drip and it is getting worse. When I first got it, I would probably lose a glass per week (unacceptable). Now, it's a glass every 2 or 3 days. I did try loosening the silver snug as suggested in the directions, but it did not change anything.

[c5guru]

I have a 1/2-B of yuengling myself and it fits fine. make sure that the bottom plate is in correctly or it will not close. As far as the faucet is, have you cleaned it lately. I know with mine when I cleaned it for the first time(after only two kegs) I was amazed of how much gunk was in it. That and the nut where your handle is attached may need to be adjusted.

[dh4645]

Originally Posted by c5guru

I have a 1/2-B of yuengling myself and it fits fine. make sure that the bottom plate is in correctly or it will not close. As far as the faucet is, have you cleaned it lately. I know with mine when I cleaned it for the first time(after only two kegs) I was amazed of how much gunk was in it. That and the nut where your handle is attached may need to be adjusted.

ok thanks.
i'll check out my line, but i have tried adjusting the nut on the handle as the directions suggested, but that did not fix anything.

[dinosinc]

How is everyones tower temp any foam ? with this mod

[titos1997]

i am very impressed with these 2 mods i did the screw mod and it did seem to help but the moment i put the fan in there it dropped quite a bit actually froze my hose and had to turn down the temp thanks for all the help

[ninarhoz]

dudes. i am also very impressed with these mods. i got a great deal on my kegerator today, and i plan on implementing the mods just as soon as i have enough dough to buy a keg. what has anyone from chicago tried any ram or goose island brews in this thing yet???

[ninarhoz]

so i found i need a tower cap. i've seen some chrome ones. anybody know where i can get a black one cheap????


nina

read.think.write.think. drink. sleep.repeat. (the life of a true grad student)

[scriptohio]

Originally Posted by ninarhoz

so i found i need a tower cap. i've seen some chrome ones. anybody know where i can get a black one cheap????


nina

I bought a black rubber pipe cap called a QWICK cap at home depot in the plumbing department it had a clamp on it so I put that in the spare parts bin. It cost me $3.22 and is a very good match.

[ninarhoz]

kewl! thanks scriptohio. i'll grab one this weekend. don't wanna put a keg in it without making sure i can keep warm air from coming in the top of the tower.

nina

[skeam]

got one of these for $300 today @ HD. it was the last one in michigan! thanks for the pics, i'm sure they will help a lot when i set it up on thursday. i'll be putting sierra nevada in there, which i don't like SUPER cold. you guys think the fan mod would be necessary?

[dinosinc]

Yes I would do add the fan to help move the air around in the keg fridge

[zman]

I have a Question? My Vassina is outside under my Bar that has plenty of airflow. But its getting Hotter so and I put a fan to blow air on the back(Which has a 6 inch gap).I have turned the screw about 1 and a half turns and its at no lower than 40 Degs. Can you turn it further without any peoblems?Thanks In Advance

[dinosinc]

Do you have a fan inside ? that might should lower the temp

[zman]

Yea but I dont leave it on all the time.So where are you guys putting it?

[Crucial_25]

Originally Posted by RUok0101

Side note:

I bought a micromatic faucet knowing that tap handles were not going to fit well on the vissani faucet. I thought I had read somewhere that "regular" faucets would fit on the vissani tower, but that is not the case. I now have my micromatic faucet setting in the drawer awaiting the day I built a new kegerator with a dual tap setup. For now, the tap handle is just about 1 1/2 turns screwed on, and the lower nut is threaded all the way up to meet it.

Its not perfect but it seems to be holding together. The sacrifices we make for beauty.



That's all. Cheers!

I was hoping to buy this unit do the mods and use a stainless micromatic faucet.... does the vissani tower shank accept the mm faucet ok?

[Crucial_25]

I ran out today and got the last one at my home depot for $297 and came home and did the mods and added the micromatic ss faucet no problem.... now I just have to wait 24 hours to plug it in since I had to transport it on its side.

I'm hoping to have the same results as the poster... thanks for the great post/pictures!

[mexy]

What pressure should the Co2 be set at?

[JtCann]

Originally Posted by Crucial_25

I was hoping to buy this unit do the mods and use a stainless micromatic faucet.... does the vissani tower shank accept the mm faucet ok?

it doesnt really fit right you have to overtighten in to stop it from leaking so when you go to take the faucet out its kind of jammed in to the shank and takes a bit of work to seperate. The SS faucet from micromatic helped alot and works much better it solved all my pouring problems. Just need to find the proper shank to replace to it wont get stuck anymore.

[ninarhoz]

i finally did the fan mod and here's my pic. i will mount it to the top i suppose, soon. i realize now where my frost problem is stemming from: the seals on the door. they are not properly sealing, and thanks to my cool led light inside the kegerator i can see that at the top and the bottom the seal is a bit weak. gonna call these magic chef guys to come and fix my seal while it is still on warranty.

[scriptohio]

Cool idea with the LED fan. I have moved the fan all over place in my Visanni and not one place seems to be better than another. I finally settled on the small shelf in front of the cold plate. It just made sense that moving air across the plate would make the entire fridge a more stable temperature. My temp runs about 36 to 37 in my glass of water and the beer pours at the same temp. I have had mixed success with my tower cooler I can still get some foam in the first 5 oz or so but after that I am fine. I don’t know what it is though everyone still wants to look at the keg and let the cold out. I told one of my friends friend if he opened the door he couldn’t have any beer. He just looked at me a bit surprised but he didn’t open the door.

[cm11599ps]

I've got an Edgestar that looks exactly the same as this Vissani. The instructions I found on modding the thermostat were simply text without pics.

It was my understanding that I needed to adjust the screw displayed in the pics above. I was able to go a large number of turns before this screw bottomed out. I then backed it out a turn or too but the fridge never went on. I even left the door open for a few minutes and nothing. So then I went back and backed the screw out. I'd say it took about 10 or more turns in order for the fridge to go back on. To me this is contrary to what is displayed above, right? If you're screwing it in then it should drop the temp, right? Mine is working the other way.

I did some more research and another post said there is a small screw behind the actual white control knob. I did the same thing as far as bottoming the screw out then unscrewing it about 2 times.

I've placed a cup of water with a thermometer in it on top of the keg and it never gets below 43. I've just placed the cup on the floor of the keg to see what I get. There is currently a full keg in there but when empty it was reading about 36 degrees.

The back of the fridge is iced over and the fridge is constantly running which I'm sure are not good sings. Any suggestions on where to set my screws again?

[cm11599ps]

I've been tweaking the screws about twice a day for a few days. I think I've finally got it to the point where it's about 35 or so liquid temp. The setting is all the way on 1 now so I may adjust the screws a bit more and leave the real knob in the middle to make adjusting up or down easier in the future.

[Doctor Bob]

I just had to post a reply for a big fat thank you. I too, picked up a HD special Kegerator on closeout + 10% off = $266! I was thrilled. It didn't last long though as my hopes and aspirations of a perfect tap beer were shattered. As I cried into my foam repeatedly, I about gave up.
Then, I went on line and found that I wasn't alone. In fact, there was a support group of beer drinkers that hated foam too. Here I am.
I went to Radio Shack and bought a small 12 volt fan. I used an adapter, but wired it off the compressor leads so the fan would come on only when it was running. I figured the 20,000 hour life of the fan would only last 2.28 years if wired on 24/7. Now, I plan on the fan lasting as long as the fridge. Instead of picking up a 110 volt fan, I used a 12vdc fan + the adapter so I only had harmless low voltage coming into the back of the fridge and my high voltage connections are safely behind the compressor terminal box. I used piggy back compressor terminals for the connections (I am an electrican).
With a cup of water on the keg, I soon reached a desirable 34 degrees a few hours later. I have monitered it at night and morning like a newborn on life support. Nothing is too extreme for my silvery metal can of bliss!
I also picked up 6' of 1/4 tubing and a brass shut off valve with some plastic splice connections. My line runs as clear as my pee after drinking. I have the shut off valve on the inside to shut off the tap. You see, I have kids and I was once one too. I plan to put a simple lock on the door to prevent access to the keg and ball valve.
Now, for the best part. I HAVE COLD PERFECT BEER AT ALL TIMES! About an inch of foam on the first pour and I haven't even insulated the outside of the tower yet with can coozies per this forum's suggestion. I haven't had cold tap beer at home since college. It is truly worth it. Maybe it's psychological, but it just seems to taste so much better. I am drinking while I type this!
Once again - THANK YOU. You have saved my kegerator from housing juice boxes and gave it a more meaningful purpose in life!

[kegerator09]

Quick question, I have frost against the back panel. I don't remember exactly if it was there before openning and closing many times to make the mods, but if not what could cause this? I will check tonigth and if it is not gone, what should i do? Could this be from the door not sealing properly? Any advice would be great, thanks guys.


edit: i will be installing the fan tonight and heard this helps. Lets see what comes form this first...

[scriptohio]

As long as the frost isn’t too thick it should be ok. Check the top of the cold plate the frost should not touch the top of the unit. It is most likely because of opening and closing the door too much. Warm humid air reaching the cold plate when the door is open. The fan really helped my unit keep a stable temperature and reduced the frost. If the frost is really thick you may want to defrost it. I used a heat gun on mine a couple of times to speed the process along. I usually let the unit defrost when I am putting in a new keg and cleaning. Since the addition of the fan I do not have to defrost between kegs but I only open the door to check fluid temperature and take a quick peek to make sure there is not too much frost. I would defrost it when you add the fan then keep an eye on the frost issue from then on.

I put a piece of duck tape on the door with the message “If you open the door you can’t have any beer.” Let’s just say no one but me has opened the door since.

[kegerator09]

Ok so i put the fan in and everything. What type of thermometers are you guys using. I'm using a meat thermometer because that's what i was handed by the wife but im guessing i need a real thermometer to get an accurate reading, unless this one would be fine?

Where are you guys placing the thermometer. I have my sitting right on top of the keg. Before modding it read 45 degrees, then thermostat mod to 35 degrees then to 30 degrees, i turned the coolness gauge to 5, and it stayed at 30 degrees. Put the fan mod in and turned the gauge to 4, and still reading 30 degrees.

Im starting to think a couple diff things could be happenning. I thought the thermometer was correct because the numbers were aligned with all of yours, but maybe the thermometer type is making the readings useless. Or the thermometer doesnt go below 30 and is stuck, but i dont believe that either because the beer in the line isn't freezing.

I was thinking of trying the water cup test, for this i can jsut put a plastic cup of water on top of the keg with the thermometer in it for a couple hours? or should i use a glass?

I dont know if it is me, but after these two mods, ill tell you the truth, i really do think the beer tastes different, this is great! Ice cold and not one bit of foam! Now all i need is a cool handle, where are you guys getting these again?

Thanks guys.