Beer Forum

Sprout · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 03:15 AM

First let me say that this is a great forum with more information then I thought was available on the subject. Now for my problem...I purchased a Danby kegerator from Sam's and lost my first full keg of budlite due to a leak. I had foam problems the first few days and then the beer went flat. I thought I had it fixed but not wanting to waste money I used a 1/6th keg of michelob lite...after adjusting the co2 pressure (about 8psi) everything was working great ie(keg didn't last long) just put in a keg of budlite again and I get nothing but foam...close to 80%, also everytime I activate the faucet I get a "BURB" for lack of a better term. The foam problem is continuous no matter how much beer I pour out.
Reading many posts on this site I have come across others who have had problems with the danby system and budlite kegs. I read common issues are pressure (which I changed to 16psi and no change) temp difference in the tower ( which is why ive poured 60-70ounces continously with no change) and actual liquid beer temp (which i will determine in the next day or two). the only thing I can think about doing is installing a fan, however, not being certain that it will fix the problem i hate to invest the money on a craps shoot.

Any and all help would be appreciated,

your fellow beer drinker

Sprout · #2 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 03:21 AM

Just another note to consider is that I do have bubbles/foam in my lines between the coupler and the faucet.

psychodad · #3 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 06:33 PM

You need a fan for sure. Better yet, a blower to cool the tower.

The bubbles in the line make me think perhaps you have a leak. Look into that. Try setting the gas pressure between 11 and 14 also.

And let us know what your actual liquid temperature is. I'm betting it is warm. The Damnby temperature control is a heaping pile. I've also private messaged you a link that may help.

Sprout · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 12:24 AM

Wow great link and info...i'm ordering a fan and thermostat as soon as I'm done typing...you did great on your post and thx for the help.

I'm still confused on YOUR foam issues-was it just the first glass you poured because mine is every glass?

psychodad · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 04:20 AM

I had foam pretty much all the time due to the beer being too warm or the temperature fluctuating too much. The fan and temperature control stabilized that. Once that was fixed, I could concentrate on setting the gas pressure correctly instead of the 5psi or so that Danby tech support wants you to work around their problems with.

The bubbles in your beer line are still a different matter that you are going to need to address. Check your connections, gaskets, etc.

shuggy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 05:02 AM

Psychodad's temp control improvement worked like a champ for me. I was able to get the same control from an auction site at 1/4 of the retail price. However I did not install a fan inside my unit but my beer pours with the best of them now.

The original temp control really is garbage and when I called Danby tech (that was fun) and asked them why my liquid temp never got below 43 degrees even though the setting was 36 they said it was poor ventilation around the fridge itself. That's when I found Psychodad's improvements and I've been happy ever since.

Johnmk · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2007, 02:27 PM

I have a Danby and have some of the same problems. psychodad or Sprout can you send me some information on what you did to take care of your problems.

Scott Zuhse · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2007, 03:08 PM

Psychodad,

Please share the link with the rest of the members.

psychodad · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2007, 05:08 PM

It may be best to PM me for a link. The writeup with pics that I did is not on my server and is hosted on a forum not associated with Micro Matic. Some of the content on that site may be offensive and not particularly the view or opinion of Micro Matic. There is a post here on the Micro Matic forums that explains most of what I did and Chad posted some pictures in that thread of what he did to his Danby. When time permits, I will edit my original post here that shows what I did to include pictures of what wires I cut, where I drilled, etc.

Until I will gladly PM a link to anyone who wishes, or if Scott is sure, I will post it in this thread.

Also a google search of +danby +psychodad will get you there.

Again, it is an external link and not under the control of or affiliated with Micro Matic. I enjoy getting help here as well as offering help where I can. I don't want to pee in the beer we all enjoy.

Johnmk · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 08:38 AM

Thanks for the info psychodad! I will be moding my Danby this weekend. I have done a few other things to mine that have seemed to help but with this I hope that will finish any small problems that I have. I do want to say the fan motors that you talked about in other forums I did not have good luck with them. The reason I did not like them is that the motor for the fan created to much heat, creating a warm spot in the frig. You can mount it on the out side and circulate the air but I know you do not want to cut your walls nor do I.

P.S. I was going to post the link just because I think it to be a very good article on brining the temp down in the Danby but out of respect I did not. I did PM Scott Zuhse so if you think it is good I think it should be shared?