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Tower Cooling for Danby DKC645 or ???

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  • Tower Cooling for Danby DKC645 or ???

    Have not been on the forum alot now that summer is here but when I do make it I see alot of issues about tower cooling. Here is one man’s solution just using parts I had laying around (except the blower) with pictures.
    a_blowersetup.jpg The inside overview shows the blower mounted to a small piece of ¼” ply which is mounted to a 1 x 2 which is mounted to the cooling plate at 2 of the plates mounting holes. The screws have extra lenght to make up for the 1 x 2 thickness. The pipes are ¾” thin wall copper, 3 straight ,cut to fit and 2 elbows. No solder or glue.
    b_blower.jpgIn the blower pic the pipe is fitted into a square piece of plastic, drilled out to hold the pipe, taped to the blower. The black ty wrap helps keep the pipe from falling into the blower. Note that more than half the blower output opening is open. Yes most of the air comes out of the open part but it still blows enough air up the pipe to cool the tower. The blower is a 24volt DC unit that I run from a 6 volt DC wall transformer. At 24 v the blower is rated about 30cfm but the 7.5 volts out of the transformer allows it to move enough air and is almost audiable. You don’t need to move alot of air in these small kegerators. My blower came from MPJA.com but any dc blower will work. I just wouldn’t run it at rated voltage if it puts out more than 15-20 cfm or more. Mouser.com or digikey.com also carry blowers. Radio Shack has dc wall transformers with variable outputs if needed to make it run good. Some from what I’ve read here some are trying to use fans. I’ve never been able to get a fan to blow up the pipe and I’ve tried several. Blowers move air. It runs constantly, and cool, no problems.
    c_uppersection.jpgThe upper section pic shows the pipe wire tied to a wood shim split in half attached to the 1 x 2. Note the power leads coming in with the co2 line and wire nutted to the blower leads. If your blower runs backwards, reverse the leads.
    d_upthetower.jpgNext pic is going up the tower. Pipe is held with a half clamp screwed into the opening plastic, carefully. Predrilled the holes, carefully. Is that opening big enough? I did not enlarge it. Pie times the radius squared says it more than big enough for what I’m running up there. I have a nice soft return flow that I can easily feel with my hand.
    e_downtower.jpg Last pic is looking down the tower with the top removed. The pipe opening is about 2” below the top. Extra insulation over the existing foam is 2 layers of 1/8” foam floor underlayment. I also cut out 2 circle pieces of the foam to lay in the top above the beer line, but these are removed for the picture.
    Not everyone may have most of this stuff laying around the house, but it’s not hard to obtain, it’s not hard to do, shouldn’t cost more than $50.00 to $75.00 and you may come up with a better solution after seeing this one. When it comes to beer drinking a cold tower is a good tower.

  • #2
    I still like that setup, and plan to do something similar except with pvc. It is just I've used my only free time drinking beer.
    Malt is the soul of beer... and yeast gives it life..
    but the kiss of the hop is the vitality of that life!

    My three favorite beers: The one I just had, the one I'm drinking now and the next one I'll have.

    http://kegerator-social-network.micr...bygrouptherapy

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by lunkhead View Post
      . Note that more than half the blower output opening is open. Yes most of the air comes out of the open part but it still blows enough air up the pipe to cool the tower.
      Great job!

      With all that air coming out of the blower openting, you should have consistent temps in the box, due to the air circulation.

      "Brilliant!"
      Hail to the Redskins!

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Skinsfan1311 View Post
        Great job!

        With all that air coming out of the blower openting, you should have consistent temps in the box, due to the air circulation.

        "Brilliant!"

        And it keeps the cooling plate pretty much frost free.

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        • #5
          With this setup, is there any condensation on the outside of the cooling tower?

          Thanks,

          Dave

          Comment


          • #6
            I did this setup with a 24vdc blower powered by a 12vdc supply and pvc pipe and my beer pour is great but I do get some condensation but I do keep the unit outside and in this muggy weather we are getting Im not suprised
            Paul
            CHEERS
            Paul

            Comment


            • #7
              My kegerator is in the basement. I don't get any condensation on the tower but the faucet will sweat.

              Comment


              • #8
                Very nice setup, I'll try this after I finish this keg

                Comment


                • #9
                  my small fan

                  Find a pic of mine in this thread. You don't need much to just move the air.
                  Last edited by bonefish; 12-08-2007, 10:52 AM. Reason: thread
                  I cool my tower with Beer.
                  http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-cid-2297.html

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by bonefish View Post
                    You don't need much to just move the air.
                    http://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-e...er-set-up.html
                    And it doesn't take alot of air to cool the tower. And another good example of what you can do with stuff found around the house.

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                    • #11
                      My Tower Cooling setup for Danby DK645

                      Here is my tower cooling setup for my Danby Dk645, got a few ideas from this forum. I used a project box from Radio Shack p/n 270-1807 $17.99, and a 3" 12v fan p/n 273-0243 $5.99, with 18ga thermostat wire to run the leads, along with a 12v power adapter from a old Radio Shack indoor TV antenna. From the box I ran a length of 3/4" hose up into the tower right behind the faucet. The fan moves a lot of air about 33cfm, and it helps with the overall cooling of the kegerator. I might add another to assist the fan that Danby installed from the *******, it couldn't hurt. http://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-e...1&d=1197788394
                      danby_upload.jpghttp://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/attachment.php?attachmentid=146&stc=1&d=1197789734
                      download_towercooling.jpghttp://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/attachment.php?attachmentid=147&stc=1&d=1197789734
                      download_12v.jpghttp://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/attachment.php?attachmentid=148&stc=1&d=1197789734
                      download_coolinghose.jpghttp://www.micromatic.com/forum/us-en/attachment.php?attachmentid=149&stc=1&d=1197789734
                      download_mmreg_co2filter.jpg
                      Attached Files
                      Last edited by BIGDOGG8590; 12-16-2007, 12:45 PM.

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                      • #12
                        CO2 Question

                        Hey I was looking at your pictures and they look great but I was wondering what that white canister is that is next to your CO2 tank.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Its a ...

                          ..co2 filter. I don't know anything about them, but thats what it is.
                          SEAN
                          I cool my tower with Beer.
                          http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...-cid-2297.html

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            It's a co2 filter, I bought it when I was exchanging co2 tanks from the welding supply shop, just in case there were any type of junk or whatever in the new tank. But now I get my tank refilled at the same shop every time.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Question for BigDogg

                              Your set up looks great, but I have several questions. First, I bought the fan and the project box from Radio Shack. My question is, what is the white object between the box and the air line? Also, do you just position the fan on the base of the fridge so it blows cool air? Sorry if the questions seem minor...I am electronically ignorant, but I like cold beer!

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