Remote mount dispensing

[robotfixr]

Hello, can someone give me some info from experience? I am converting a refig to keg a rator and it seems I need to run the dispense through a 2 x 4 wall. It will require about 3 foot of hose outside the coolness of the refigerator. Should I run some type of tunnel? If so, what size? 4 inch? Anyone have experience with this type of install? Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

[happytappy]

How many lines are you running ? That will dictate the size of the airshaft. Are you using a tower or some type of box to mount the faucets. You will need an insulated shaft (PVC), a blower, possibly a return tube. Give me more info and we will walk you through this relatively easy project.

[hsiddall]

happytappy,
I am going to run into the same problem. I am finishing my basement abd plan to convert a deepfreeze to a twin barrel kegerator. I will obviiusly run two lines and they will go to a tower. The Insulated pvc will have to be ran soon as I will be drywalling shortly, however maybe I will leave some sort of access as this will all be behind my bar and not need to be pretty...Please reply and or email me with tips on this project. Oh yah the fridge will be behind a finished wall in a storage area with the tower being approximately 10-12 linnear feet from fridge. Thanx in advance...

[robotfixr]

Thanks for the reply. I am using a Haier 20cuft from the Depot. Only one keg. Boring out the side through a 2x4 wall. I can add anything I need to make it happen because the storage is unfinished. It seems I only need about 3.5 ft of exposed line. Is this enough info?

[darck1]

Originally Posted by robotfixr

Thanks for the reply. I am using a Haier 20cuft from the Depot. Only one keg. Boring out the side through a 2x4 wall. I can add anything I need to make it happen because the storage is unfinished. It seems I only need about 3.5 ft of exposed line. Is this enough info?

Hi guys. I'll tell you what I did... It may not be the best way. Or the least expensive way. Or whatever - but it works, so I'll share it. You're supposed to run 2" flexible aluminum duct from the blower but good look finding that (especially for the small run you'd be using) at a decent price. I'm running from a freezer to a tower mounted on a bar...

Harrisons Place - Image Gallery

Shopping list (There may be omissions - it was a few months ago and I've drunk a lot of beer since then so my memory ain't so good) ;-)

1.5 inch hole saw
4.5 inch hole saw
Blower (see following link, but you'll need a larger one if you're running longer distance) http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-ES-60-2A.html
CO2 Cylinder http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...d-430A-5E.html
Regulator
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...s-pid-842.html
hose (3 or 4 ft)
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-pid-553R.html
Clamps (Get about a dozen of these - they're handy as hell!)
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-pid-705W.html
Keg Coupler (I don't know what freezer you have but mine isn't that deep - so I got a low-profile coupler)
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-FT44T-PR.html
Digital Thermostat (I used a digital thermostat similar to this one...
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...id-TO-012.html
but DON'T GET THIS ONE! The one I used was WAAAAAY cheaper off a different site and you plug the freezer into it)
Air cooled draught tower
3/16" Beer line
2" Rigid PVC Tubing
4" Flexible Aluminum duct (get it from Home Depot or Lowes, they sell it in 8ft lengths for less than 10 bucks)
A big roll of foiled insulating duct tape
Roll of insulation
PVC Fittings (elbow(s) if required and a collar that will fit into the blower)
PVC Cement
Squirt insulation (you can get this cheaper from Home Depot)
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...d-ES-FI14.html

Fittings for mounting your tower
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...d-ES-4-MF.html
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-C23896-1.html
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...id-C23907.html

Okay... here's a brief low-down (since I *AM* supposed to be working)

VERY CAREFULLY!!! With the freezer facing you. On the left side wall, drill a 1.5 inch hole in the outside SHELL of the freezer (THE SHELL ONLY!!! DON'T PENETRATE THE INSULATION UNDERNEATH) in a convenient place that's close to a power outlet and where you can hang your digital thermostat.

Okay. You should just have drilled a small hole that has a bunch of insulation behind it. VERY CAREFULLY!!! Dig out the insulation from the hole. Now... if you see a shiny metal tube in there... it's a freon line... BE VERY CAREFUL WITH IT! If you puncture that it's goodbye freezer. Punch through the thin metal skin on the inside of the freezer with a screwdriver or pair of scissors. Now you've got a 1.5inch hole in the freezer. Make sure you can fit the plug from the blower through the hole. Now to your next hole...

Mount your blower on the shelf in the freezer where you want your line to come out. Measure it carefully so that you can drill the hole on the outside to match it. Take your 4.5" hole saw and repeat the same process as above. Be very careful digging out the insulation etc. and make sure that the place you're drilling is ideally positioned so that the blower can be mounted on the shelf in the freezer.

Now... if you're skillful and lucky you should have a still-working freezer with a big hole in it and a little hole in it. Attach the PVC to the blower. You'll either have to cut out the rigid rubber in the blower collar or cut out some PVC (I recommend the latter) to run the beerline through.

Run your 2" pvc pipe to where you're going... use an elbow (with the PVC cement) to run up to the bar (if you're using one), then use the fittings (if you're mounting on a bar). If you're lucky (I'm rushing now, I know) you should be able to put the 4" flex duct around the 2" and actually get it inside the freezer (if not you'll have to affix it outside so that it can blow in). INSULATE WELL the outside of the 4". Run your beer line through the 2" and then follow the instructions to mount all the air fittings so that the air will blow up through the 2" PVC and into the tower then back through the 4" PVC that returns to the freezer.

That's pretty much it (I know I rushed at the end there).

[cazador]

after what length would a blower be required?

I'm keeping my chest freezer below my bar (or right next to it), but I want my towers on the bar.

[robotfixr]

Thanks for the help. After looking at the diagrams on the site I have an idea of what I am going to do. I just need to order the parts. Someone was asking for pictures and I will summit when I finish. Right now I just have the tap out the side of the refrig. My plan is the mount the valve right on the wall near my bar sink. Check this thread for pics coming soon.

[ernestbud]

CAZADOR---you should not have any un-refrigerated lines at all, anything outside of that box needs to have cold air blown on it otherwise you will have a foam problem and eventually a taste problem

[tscloud]

DARCK1--This sounds very similar to something that I want to do. I'd really like to see your pics but the link seems to have expired.

Also, what kind of freezer are you using? Is it a "standard", chest-type, top access freezer? Did you go thru the side out of necessity? I'm thinking that I might go thru the top just so I don't have to worry about compromising freon lines. Also how big are we talking? The 60 CFM blower makes a lot of heat does it not?
---
Environmental details: Here's what I have going on. I want a two keg system w/ the kegs in the basement and the tower mounted on the kitchen counter up one floor. It's approx. 11 1/2 ft. from bottom of basement floor to top of tower. If the freezer is about 3' high that's about 9 1/2 ft. of line to run. I was thinking of using air cooled, rigid PVC for that length. I do not really have any restrictions on the location of the freezer or line. Of course if I go thru the top I'd have to rig something so that I could open the freezer.

Loved your descriptions. I think the pics will make it come together for me.

[darck1]

Originally Posted by tscloud

DARCK1--This sounds very similar to something that I want to do. I'd really like to see your pics but the link seems to have expired.

Also, what kind of freezer are you using? Is it a "standard", chest-type, top access freezer? Did you go thru the side out of necessity? I'm thinking that I might go thru the top just so I don't have to worry about compromising freon lines. Also how big are we talking? The 60 CFM blower makes a lot of heat does it not?
---
Environmental details: Here's what I have going on. I want a two keg system w/ the kegs in the basement and the tower mounted on the kitchen counter up one floor. It's approx. 11 1/2 ft. from bottom of basement floor to top of tower. If the freezer is about 3' high that's about 9 1/2 ft. of line to run. I was thinking of using air cooled, rigid PVC for that length. I do not really have any restrictions on the location of the freezer or line. Of course if I go thru the top I'd have to rig something so that I could open the freezer.

Loved your descriptions. I think the pics will make it come together for me.

I have pics (I'll edit my post to update the links shortly) but I'm not sure how helpful they'll be. You'll need to do some calculations for how much vertical lift you have. You're right on rigging something for the top of the freezer - one of the reasons (besides space and position) that I did mine in the side. It's just a standard chest freezer. My advice to you (if you have the space)... Make it as big as possible. and mount it on a couple of 2x4s with a slight tilt to it. Rig a line so that you can drain it. Mine (due to insulation issues I suppose) tends to acquire a lot of condensation.

[tscloud]

Thanks. The pics would still be great to see even if they may not apply to my situation. Go ahead and show off.

I guess my big question as to the freezer-remote dispense setup is coming thru the top of the freezer. Definitely the safest way to go considering there are no coils but if I mount a rigid PVC pipe in the top, access becomes an issue. I'd have to be able to disconnect the pipe to open the door and it seems that there would just be a lot awkwardness w/ any solution that has something rigid and hard connected to the top and hard connected to the tower immediately above. Hopefully I'm explaining myself well.

Of course PVC is not a requirement. I guess flexible alum ducting would work? The issue there is that I'd have to add additional length to accommodate the opening of the chest. This would add some unwanted bends. Would this be still considered OK?

[JimiD]

Just upgraded mine to a two keg system. Wifey wanted the fridge back so i bought a two keg bar back for "her" I used three inch pvc out the side, I bored the hole and used a toilet flange and caulk on the outside. All the fittings are slip fit, no glue. The total run is about seven feet, out the side through the wall under my bar and up the tower. I wrapped all the pvc with pipe insulation. An air circulator is a must, I ran a 1.125 hose from the blower in the fridge to the top of the tower. Cool beer lines the correct restriction will give you a perfect draw every time. I'll post pic's if anyone is interested.

The real question is what do we do when our kids realize how cool this is!

Beer Good!

[tscloud]

Very nice. That's very similar to what I want to do except that I want to go straight up from a chest freezer in the basement to a tower in my kitchen.

After some research, I think I'm going to build a collar. See many examples:
Welcome to Homebrew.com
Freezer Conversion
Chest Freezer Conversion for Serving Homebrew
among many others.

Very scary to me to bore a hole in the side of the freezer. Besides, I can use the extra height the collar will give me to get closer to the kitchen. I'll probably build a small platform or dolly for the freezer to rest on as well.

I would like to see pics if you have them. I like the toilet flange idea BTW.

[JimiD]

Mine's a fridge without the lines in the side. No problem with the hole.

see pic.
http://www.micromatic.com/refrigerat...-pid-BB58.html

[JimiD]

testing, never done this before... More to follow.

[JimiD]

this is the balance...