What Johnson Control should I get?

[joewilk]

After making a coulpe mods to my Danby DKC644BLS I still wanna put a external temp control on it. Any suggestion on what model # I should get. I wouldn't mind getting a dial control one because of less chance of it breaking and cheaper but I'm open to suggestions. Remember mine has the brown condenser fan wire. I was also wondering if I could use the Ranco 111000 digital temperature control. Any suggestion??

[rtracer]

All I can offer is that I have the dial controlled Johnson and it works flawlessly.
Although the gauge seems to read a tad low. I have it at 32, but I believe its more like 35 or so.

[joewilk]

Thanks rtracer, I think that's what I am gonna end up doing is getting a dial control, I've been searching around on here and there are a couple people that have said they have had problems with digital. If you don't mind my asking, what model number is yours? There are a ton of different model numbers out there and I wanna make sure I get one that will be compatible with my Danby.

[rtracer]

No problem, sent ya a message

[bft305]

I have the digital johnson control for my kegerator and no problems here, I like the digital and having all the extra features.

[joewilk]

Well thanks for the suggestions, I ended up stumbling across a JC A419 on ebay for $50 so I decided to go with that, and I think I saw somebody else on this forum that has the same model danby as mine and he also hooked up a A419 with pics. I may have to get back with you guys about hooking this thing up though when I get it, I really don't know much about hooking things like this up. Maybe I will post pics.

[81david]

Isn't the A419 just plug and play? What I mean by that is you unplug your unit, plug it in to the Johnson, then plug Johnson into the wall. After that you just run the temp probe into your unit, set the Johnson, and you are good to go. Someone correct me if I am wrong as I too am in the market for a temp control. Trying to decide between Johnson and Brewers both digital units, I think they are both really the same though???

[joewilk]

I'm not sure they work like that with the Danby's. From what I understand and have read on this forum is that you have to wire in the external control into the kegerator so that it override's it's internal temp system. And you depend only on the External.

[KillianBoy]

joewilk,
That's not right, this has been mentioned before, search better, I posted once:

This topic is one of the most popular on forum (right behind foam), search is your friend input Danby, controller, bypass, took me 10 minutes to find this, post #100 of the linked page:
Danby Kegerator Improvements Part II
I think that's the one your looking for, if I'm wrong please Danby experts please chime in.

Since the Danby has no true thermostat to set to maximum you need to wire control board to run all the time, after re-wiring is done then just plug and pray, there has been members that have wired in an external temperature controller to control board but since the A419 is plug in type then follow the post and you should be golden.
KB

[joewilk]

Not all of the A419 controls are "Plug and Pray". The one that I have actually came without a male/female plug on it. Leaving me to run a lead out of the ext. and into the Danby's control board. It is going to be similar to what joed did in post #55 on Danby Kegerator Improvements Part II

[pismo10]

This is what I bought

Amazon.com: Freezer Temperature Controller: Kitchen & Dining

Then ran a wire from the hot side of the female plug straight to the compressor.

Dont have to get near the controller board, easily reversible, temp gauge still works.

Works great, the only thing I do not like is the sensor cord is a copper tube and you have to be careful with it. If you kink it it may be done.

[81david]

Which model A419 is plug and play?

[joewilk]

There are a couple different ones but mine is like the A419ABG-3C which is a digital one and you can buy it from beverage f a c t or y. The model I bought is A419ABC-1C. I have not hooked it up yet.

[joewilk]

Ok, I am attempting to hook up my JC A419ABC-1C. Can someone tell me if this is correct?

1-I took off the top to get to my control board and cut the red,black and white wire. There is a brown wire but that is not in use anymore. (condenser fan)

2- I capped the red wire going to the control board and wired the black,red and white back up with the External control tied in the same. (The red wire is being replaced by the green on the cord that i have coming out of the control.)

The power from the Danby should power the JC control right? Does this sound like I did it right? I really don't wanna fry my kegerator so please let me know. Here are some pics to better help. I also included how i wired my A419.

,,

[joewilk]

I plugged in my Danby last night and it works like a charm. Thanks to everyone who helped out. Now off to the Liqour store for another keg!