Danby Kegerator Improvements

[may1966]

I dont know what the stars are for just use the hole thats already in the tower

[MrMcCrackin]

Which resistor?


33k or 100k?


I have read most of the posts and improvements

I just got 2 Danby Kegerators for fathers day from Sam's for $350 each.


We have Guinness in one and XX Amber in the other.


Oddly enough the Guinness stays between 40-42 which is just about perfect


but the XX Amber is between 42-45


So - if I go with the 100k resister, will I have the dreaded 12 defrost cycle like the 33k resistor?

[cubby_swans]

Originally Posted by MrMcCrackin

Which resistor?


33k or 100k?


I have read most of the posts and improvements

I just got 2 Danby Kegerators for fathers day from Sam's for $350 each.


We have Guinness in one and XX Amber in the other.


Oddly enough the Guinness stays between 40-42 which is just about perfect


but the XX Amber is between 42-45


So - if I go with the 100k resister, will I have the dreaded 12 defrost cycle like the 33k resistor?

My kegerator was stuck at 42, before the resistor. After adding the 100K, it cools down to 36 with a keg in it. I would try the 100K first. The 33K will get it colder than the 100K, so if you want ice cold beer colder than 36-37, I'd use the 33K, but keep a close eye on it, a few people have actually frozen kegs using it.

I've had my Danby for about 6 months now, I haven't noticed a defrost cycle yet.

[MrMcCrackin]

Originally Posted by cubby_swans

My kegerator was stuck at 42, before the resistor. After adding the 100K, it cools down to 36 with a keg in it. I would try the 100K first. The 33K will get it colder than the 100K, so if you want ice cold beer colder than 36-37, I'd use the 33K, but keep a close eye on it, a few people have actually frozen kegs using it.

I've had my Danby for about 6 months now, I haven't noticed a defrost cycle yet.

Thanks!

Did you move the temp sender higher towards the door, or just the resistor?

[jaeckleint]

12 volt 1 amp power supply, no number on blower

[jchristl2208]

I may just buy that if my setup fails to cool the tower. Did you wire-out the control bord from the compressor?

[jaeckleint]

Yes, I cut the wires as suggested giving full controll to the brewers edge. Very happy !. I ended up taking the resistor back out so the danby display will show actual temp when the compressor is on. I set the brewers edge SP to 32 degrees and Diff to 1 degree with ASD to 2.

[MrMcCrackin]

picked up my set of 100k resistors today! :banana:

[jchristl2208]

I tried the 33K thing, a while back, and although I get cold beer, I really didn't noticed much of a difference. Possibly it's due to location, weather, central heat/air house... etc.

[lunkhead]

Originally Posted by cubby_swans

I've had my Danby for about 6 months now, I haven't noticed a defrost cycle yet.

Cubby, you need to send that thing back to danby and get it fixed, there's supposed to be a defrost cycle!!

[cubby_swans]

Originally Posted by lunkhead

Cubby, you need to send that thing back to danby and get it fixed, there's supposed to be a defrost cycle!!

Hah, Not a chance! I don't have ice in it, either. I'm sure the defrost cycle happens, but like I said, I haven't noticed any wild temperature swings. My only theory is this... where I moved the temperature sensor, it's RIGHT next to the keg. So perhaps the keg itself is keeping cool the air immediately around it when the defrost cycle does kick in.

[MrMcCrackin]

Originally Posted by MrMcCrackin

picked up my set of 100k resistors today! :banana:

did the resistor mod and relocated the temp sensor about 3 hours ago and i am happy to report i am already seeing a 9 degree air temp drop and 5-6 degree beer temp drop!

according to Danby, I still have 4 degrees to go!

[MrMcCrackin]

Originally Posted by MrMcCrackin

did the resistor mod and relocated the temp sensor about 3 hours ago and i am happy to report i am already seeing a 9 degree air temp drop and 5-6 degree beer temp drop!

according to Danby, I still have 4 degrees to go!

not even 24 hours into the mod

now showing:

Danby temp 36
Air temp 20
Beer temp 30



so my target beer temp should be 35 - any idea what the Danby setting might be?

[MrMcCrackin]

well i figured out that the Danby setting of 46 = perfect 35 degree beer!

[HARLEYRIDER]

Lunkhead,

I installed my 33-Ohm resistor 1/2 watt, 5% tolerance like the diagram that the forums have posted. My digital screen is reading EE, and I cannot adjust the temperature. Someone had mentioned that the resistor needs 3 orange bands. My resistor has 2 orange, a brown, and what appears to be gold. I did not sauder anything yet and the wires are simply wrapped around for the time being because I wanted to make sure it worked before I made it permanent. Can you please help? Thank you.

HarleyRider

[cubby_swans]

Originally Posted by HARLEYRIDER

Lunkhead,

I installed my 33-Ohm resistor 1/2 watt, 5% tolerance like the diagram that the forums have posted. My digital screen is reading EE, and I cannot adjust the temperature. Someone had mentioned that the resistor needs 3 orange bands. My resistor has 2 orange, a brown, and what appears to be gold. I did not sauder anything yet and the wires are simply wrapped around for the time being because I wanted to make sure it worked before I made it permanent. Can you please help? Thank you.

HarleyRider

Your screen will read EE when the connection isn't complete. It will do it if you simply unplug the sensor. Make sure all your connections are secure.

But wait, I just realized you said your resistor has 2 orange, a brown and a gold. The gold signifies that it is 5% tolerant, but I think you misread the label when you bought your resistor. orange orange brown is a 330 ohm resistor. Orange Orange Orange is 33,000 (33k) ohms. This might be your problem. The resistor you need to install is the 33K ohm.

This isn't a guess, either.... Resistor Color Code Table And Calculator

I don't think you need a 33K ohm, many people have been freezing their kegs accidentaly using this. I used a 100K ohm and mine gets down to 30 degrees.

[callen757]

Thank you guys for this amazing forum. I dont want to brag but I just picked up my Danby from Sams club for 100.00 dollars. It was the last one and everybody thought it was just a minifridge so it was stuffed back into the corner. I completed the mods suggested includind adding the resistor, relocating the temp sensor and installing a new fan. I included pics because if anybody out there is like me, they need pics to figure things out. The fan I used was from intel that I got at an electronics store for 8.00. It is a 1 amp unit vs the 0.1 anp unit that came with the danby. It even fit in the existing mounting holes. Before the mods the internal air temp was 46 degrees at the lowest setting (with a full 15.5g keg in it). Now the internal air temp with a 5 g bucket of water is 28 degrees, water temp is 33.0 degrees with .25 inch of ice all the way around. Thanks for all the good info.

[lunkhead]

Originally Posted by HARLEYRIDER

Lunkhead,

I installed my 33-Ohm resistor 1/2 watt, 5% tolerance like the diagram that the forums have posted. My digital screen is reading EE, and I cannot adjust the temperature. Someone had mentioned that the resistor needs 3 orange bands. My resistor has 2 orange, a brown, and what appears to be gold. I did not sauder anything yet and the wires are simply wrapped around for the time being because I wanted to make sure it worked before I made it permanent. Can you please help? Thank you.

HarleyRider

Harley, I replied to your PM. Cubby gave you the correct info too. Keep an eye on the temp. The newer danbys seem to run a little colder with the 33k.

[lunkhead]

Originally Posted by callen757

Thank you guys for this amazing forum. I dont want to brag but I just picked up my Danby from Sams club for 100.00 dollars. It was the last one and everybody thought it was just a minifridge so it was stuffed back into the corner. I completed the mods suggested includind adding the resistor, relocating the temp sensor and installing a new fan. I included pics because if anybody out there is like me, they need pics to figure things out. The fan I used was from intel that I got at an electronics store for 8.00. It is a 1 amp unit vs the 0.1 anp unit that came with the danby. It even fit in the existing mounting holes. Before the mods the internal air temp was 46 degrees at the lowest setting (with a full 15.5g keg in it). Now the internal air temp with a 5 g bucket of water is 28 degrees, water temp is 33.0 degrees with .25 inch of ice all the way around. Thanks for all the good info.

If you connected the fan to the existing leads it may only run when the compressor is on. More better would be to power it from outside the box with a DC wall transformer. Run the leads thru the co2 line hole.

[edaddy17]

put on 100k resistor, move probe to top left corner where doors at. Hav danby control on 39 in side air is 32 beer is 35 right now. I had 33k on but couldnt ever get air temp below 38. Maybe bad resistors. But very happy with 100k resistor and reroute probe location..

[ctpower1234]

I want to extend the wire of the temperature sensor. What kind of wire do I use? I think if I move the sensor near the door and towards the top of the unit that it will allow the unit to run longer and therefore cool down the keg so that its a true 36 degrees.