Refrigerator modification

[Speyedr]

So I have been working on this fridge for a while now. I modified it for a good strong shelf for the kegs and even moved the shelf rails so I can have some beer shelves if I want them. It was coming along nicely. Today I started to drill the holes today for the shanks, 4 for beer and one for soda (Wife's requirement). I started the first one off off with a small hole and probed around with a screwdriver, just like Bub said to. No problem so I used the hole saw and cut the hole. Easy. Next hole, no trouble, and so on. Got to the last one and by this time I had stopped probing 'cause I checked the schematic and hadn't found anything in previous probing, etc. WHOOOOOSH... out goes the coolant!

I've called a repair shop to see if they can do anything with it. There is only one cut in the copper tubing and I figure they should be able to repair it and recharge the system... I hope. Since I don't have a requirement for appearance I'm hoping it won't be a big deal.

Anyone have any insight on this type of repair?

Rob

[BrewBum]

Sorry man, i think you just got a large paperweight.

[Speyedr]

Actually, things are looking up a bit. I just spoke to a guy who has a lot of experience with Fridge Repair. He warned me that we would definitely have some "melting" going on, but all cosmetic. He's coming out tomorrow to take a look, and it will cost less than a new fridge. I'm keeping my fingers crossed 'cause I already did a lot of work on it.

If you pray, please pray for my fridge!

[Thirsty Mallard]

Noted. Peace on Earth and good will toward all man has been booted... Speyedr's fridge is in!

[Dave the brew guy]

You could also look for pumps meant for aquariums or ponds. There are probably quite a few options under $100

[Speyedr]

Update on the fridge. The surgery was a resounding success! The guy knew his shit. I told him aesthetics were not an issue as this fridge goes on the other side of the wall behind the bar. He just used a grinder to cut off part of the metal backing and cut out the foam around the copper. Then he used a torch and Silver Solder to solder up the hole I deftly made. He even pushed the copper out of the way of my shank hole. Then he vacuumed out the system and refilled with the "freon" (read "environmentally friendly freon substitute").
Once he was done I taped the metal backing back on and plugged the shank hole so I could fill the void with spray foam. Of course, it wasn't until after I filled the hole with foam that I thought of the pics... sorry! I'll take some of the rest of the process though, and I should have a working bar up and running in a few weeks.

Cheers!

Rob

[hotrod38]

Way to go. What's a repair like that cost.

[Eagle Creek Brewer]

Something you may want to think about in your glycol systems. Glycol doesn't transfer heat all that well, you only want to run a concentration that brings your freezing temp down to about 5 degrees, depending on the glycol you are using, it will be approx 20% glycol/80% water, your system will be much more efficient. The glycol also adds corrosion resistance so you don't want to run straight water.
Even at 5 degrees, unless your temp drives down below about -10 you will only slush up the mixture, it won't freeze hard enough to cause damage.
Barry