Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?  (Read 1230 times) previous topic - next topic

ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

  I was  pretty sure that someone here posted about using the ice maker for a beer cooler , A huge upgrade in my world, :)
  It seems to run fine and has no water feed at this time.  I hope that the timer box and water package can be removed and have the refer part run without it..?  The ice cutter circuit draws a lot of amps  according to the volt meter .

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #1 –
Where's the temp control located at or will you have to add one
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #2 –
Maybe the attached?
Remember, tho, that our U-line is a 1989 model.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #3 –
Same . Any more pages on installing the cube maker?

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #4 –
Sorry Mike. It is the only one I have got, and I'm not sure where I got it.
I will check my three ring binders that came with the coach, tho.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #5 –
What do you need to know about the ice cube maker?
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #6 –
Mike, I just went thru my four (4) three ring binders. Nothing but the little operator's manual.
I must have got the posted picture off the internet.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #7 –
What do you need to know about the ice cube maker?""
 How to remove it and how to wire the thing to be a frig/freezer @ 30.8 degrees.
 Thanks,MM

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #8 –
Mike,

The ice cube form and its parts are sitting on a "L" shaped cold plate (back side and bottom side) immersed in a heat transfer mastic.  Prying the form off would leave the bottom of the plate sticking out into the area the length and width of the ice cube form.

Once the ice cube form is removed, all should work as before but the air space would now be cooled by contact with the plate.  You might want to add a small fan to circulate the air to to help cool it.

I think one hitch in the get a long here is the cold plate will cool much more quickly with the mastic and ice form removed.  Therefore the thermostat will cycle off before the air is as cold as you might wish.  Or, turn water off, turn ice maker off lifting the bale and use it that way.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #9 –
Thankyou,
 Do you think if I add a small heat sink to the cooler plate  it may slow down the cycle enough to use?

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #10 –
Heat sink Wouldn't hurt, especially with a fan. I like the concept, but I think I would miss the ice for tea etc. I could not find any Uline  documentation in my book.  Mine produces a boatload of ice, even more if I hook it to an invertor while traveling. which I could transfer to a cheaper  medium size Yeti knock off that way I always have a back up, for boondocking, convenient to my chair outside.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #11 –
Mike here is the service manual for the different units.
https://www.u-line.com/media/download/41921_Service_Manual.pdf
Also, I have the complete user manual.  Attached is a picture of the user manual and the table of contents.
John
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Heat sink Wouldn't hurt, especially with a fan. I like the concept, but I think I would miss the ice for tea etc. I could not find any Uline  documentation in my book.  Mine produces a boatload of ice, even more if I hook it to an invertor while traveling. which I could transfer to a cheaper  medium size Yeti knock off that way I always have a back up, for boondocking, convenient to my chair outside.

He's making a beer cooler phred, wont be drinking as much ice tea.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #13 –
Uline ice makers make a ton of ice because, unlike other brands, they turn the compressor off during the harvest cycle. If you remove the cube unit, the compressor will not run at all. Check the wiring diagram for your unit online to determine which wires have to be jumped to keep the compressor running minus the cube unit.

TOM
SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #14 –
 Thanks for all of the tips.  If I could set the temp for 31* and remove the cuber and timer it would be nice.  Sounds like it will require another controller /thermostat. Beyond me for now.
 This on the back burner for now. The Bus is north and used to haul the race car to the races.  AS a result, we are not plugged in  when we would like cold beer.  The other point is that we drink very little on a race weekend. Maybe one beer for me @ Fri and Saturday eve.
  Transit Sun PM , no drink, transit Thurs eve, No drink .
 

Re: ICe maker hack into beer cooler?

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Thanks for all of the tips.  If I could set the temp for 31* and remove the cuber and timer it would be nice.  Sounds like it will require another controller /thermostat. Beyond me for now.
 This on the back burner for now. The Bus is north and used to haul the race car to the races.  AS a result, we are not plugged in  when we would like cold beer.  The other point is that we drink very little on a race weekend. Maybe one beer for me @ Fri and Saturday eve.
  Transit Sun PM , no drink, transit Thurs eve, No drink .

Responsible no doubt but in hot weather after a chore and during the game, a cold one is the ticket.. I will likely have one to offer you when we meet and hope you don't mind if I join you.
Dub McBride 1996 270