Need to know the Kegerator basics!!!

[Sally]

Hi, I'm at a complete dead end. A former tenant in my apartment building moved out and left his Summit brand kegerator on our back porch. I'm trying to figure out how to use it but when I plug it in, (and I left it plugged in for over an hour) it doesn't get cool. There is a gargling noise but no cooling. I've been looking all over the internet trying to figure out how these things work. I don't even know what's for what. It seems to have all the components. There's a tap, a couple of tubes, and the Co2 tank (which does what exactly?). A friend suggested that it might be the coolant and that it was quite expensive to fix. Is this a possibility? Does anyone know where I can find the information I need on how to get this thing working again or can you tell me a bit about it to point me in the right direction?
Thanks so much!

[psychodad]

Leave it plugged in a bit longer. When it is running and if you have access to where you can feel the compressor, feel if the line leaving the unit gets hot. That will be a quick and dirty way to see if the compressor is working at all. Even if it is low on freon or needs a compressor, I'm sure a good appliance repair shop could fix it for less than a new one would cost.

http://forums.the-hole.net/

[kegtrainer]

all what is the temperature set at? If there is not a thermatstat you may need one, if there is make sure he didnt turn it way up so it wouldnt cool down. You'd reconize it

[Scott Zuhse]

Sally, first determine what the issue is with the refrigerator and repair. Put a bucket of water in the unit and try to adjust refrigerator until you acquire 38F water temperature.

Then get back to us and we will steer you towards a successful draught system.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute