Quiet Kegorator recommendations

[kupermanp]

So I have a true TDD-1 that I modified to a three tap system for ball lock kegs. I loved it but its in a theater room and is waaaay too loud (I had rigged a timer for the plug to watch shows but this solution does not meet approval of SWMBO).

I want to keep the three tap system going, but I figure I can just exchange my current tower with the new one. Anyway my requirements would be

1) Quiet
2) Be able to run outside C02 line since my current setup uses a 20# tank to a bank of secondaries so I can run different keg pressure (one of the taps is soda)
3) Hold at least 3 ball lock kegs (preferably 4)
4) be able to maintain 34-35 degrees

Nice but not needed would be a tower cooler and digital controls.

I don't really have any local stores to test out so I was wondering what peoples experience and advice is?

Thanks
K

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Any household unit will be alot quieter...But you might not be happy with the quality over what you have now. Since any house hold unit wont have the nice s/s top with drain, will have a plastic interior, won't have a tower cooler, won't have a evaporator fan circulating the cold air.

[kupermanp]

Any household unit will be alot quieter...But you might not be happy with the quality over what you have now. Since any house hold unit wont have the nice s/s top with drain, will have a plastic interior, won't have a tower cooler, won't have a evaporator fan circulating the cold air.

Yeah. I know I'm going to have to compromise but I'd like to make as few as possible. The drain and the interior are not a big deal to me (definitely will need a drip plate). I do like the stainless steel top and the tower cooler is certainly nice (although I'm pretty sure I can rig something up either with copper pipe or a computer fan). A circulating fan is actually a pretty easy mod. I put one in a beverage fridge that was freezing on the bottom and warm on the top and it made a ton of difference and took all of 20 minutes to build and install.

That being said I'd love to start with something that meets as many of my needs as possible. From what I can see capacity and the external C02 tank are going to be rough to figure out.

I'd also like to hear from people who have quiet models so I know where to start

Thanks
K

[KillianBoy]

kupermanp,
I sit by a Haier every Friday night, in a covered garage, just casually watching TV. I would never want this unit anywhere within 20 feet of me in a home theater, let alone a commercial unit. My own plan for a kegerator in a home theater has the DIY kegerator about 15 feet away, don't know it that is enough distance.
I'd look at the app PointPleasantNJBeerguy previously posted in another thread regarding kegerator noise to compare but even home units are pretty loud (compared to regular refrigerators).

IMHO, going from a commercial unit to a home unit is like going from a factory Charger to a Miata with a small block Chevy engine, commercial units are meant to dispense beer, home units (mostly) are dorm refrigerators modified to dispense beer, one no tweaks, the other tweak city.

My solution would be check noise with PointPleasantNJBeerguys' app and find the quietest standard refrigerator you can find (that meets your criteria), run with all your gear, 1 keg, CO2 tank inside, buy a CO2 party pump (no drilling at this point) and see how it is, if too loud, you next step is run a remote dispense.
KB
The CO2 party pump is this:

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/hoses-pid-BL-2.html

With this you can pour beer without drilling holes in the door, just open door and pour.

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

That app I used was an I- phone app "decibel10th" . I was also thinking a remote dispense through the wall into the theater room if you have a spot to put unit on other side of wall.

[djc]

I think the best option for quiet and way cool factor would be to go remote with the unit you have. Just take it out of the room.

[kupermanp]

Remote dispense sounds cool but there is no place to put it ( theater is above garage so three walls are exterior and the fourth is a living room). I like the decibel app idea. Thanks.

Are there no inherently quiet kegerators?

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Maybe just fill one of these up and bring it upstairs..

[kupermanp]

Maybe just fill one of these up and bring it upstairs..

I prefer the full yard

[kupermanp]

Anybody have any experience with beemeister kegerators. There value line seems to have everything that I'm looking for

K

[KillianBoy]

kupermanp,
Honestly, I don't have ANY experience with Beermeister kegerators, but what the value line looks like is a Danby.
This is the one mistake most members make, shiny baubles don't make a good kegerator. Sure you could make it work, couple of tweaks and test and check, and test and check, and test and check, and test and check, and test and check, you should get as good as your TDD-1 after one test and check.
If you don't want to try a remote, then try to dampen noise with a drape around unit (make sure you leave enough air circulation) while watching movie and see if that helps. Most home dispensers are softer than commercial units but louder than standard refrigerators/freezers, again try for yourself.
If you really want a digital display, get a external temperature controller, dampen noise and use with the TDD-1.
By going to the value line of Beermeisters, you are going from a stock Charger to a Miata with a re-built small block, no tweaks vs. tweak city, your choice.
KB