Built-in beer cooler temperature problem

[burch26]

I have a summit sbc-490bifr (the built in model) built-in to a custom built bar in my finished basement. It is installed in a compartment of the bar that was built to exact dimensions to fit it width and depth wise. There is 6 inches of ventilation between the top of the refrigerator and the bar top. The front is open for access to the door. It is flush to walls on the sides and back (the only 3 sides that are enclosed).

Here is my problem. I can't seem to keep this at sub 40 degrees no matter what I do. It literally stays right around 40. If I try to cool it by cranking up the thermastat, the unit frosts up (and it's supposed to be frost free). It literally ices up and I have to defrost it because the ice gets so bad that it can't hold 40. I've called summit, and they sent out a repairman who told me that the problem is that there is poor ventilation and that's why it's doing it. Granted, I bought the built in model purposely to build it in to a bar, just like the pictures. So I took his advice and installed a vent behind the refrigerator so that hot air from the compressor can escape through an opening in the bar that faces the stools. I thought this would solve the problem but it has only made it marginally better. The technician told me that summit coolers are about the best you can get but that no coolers are really made to build in to a bar, no matter how much you spend.

Is there anything I can do to help keep the temp down? I've put a desktop fan on top of the cooler as far back as I can slide it to evacuate the air out from behind the cooler, and this seems to be helping for the time being. Why do these things freeze up like that? Anyone else have any experience with this problem? I thought about putting a fan inside the refrigerator to see if that helps. Any help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Beer Monkey]

I'm curious to see how many other people have had this problem, I ended up having to manually adjust my thermostat, the tech didn't know how, ended up getting plans faxed to me from the manufactuerer. now that it's stabalized at a cool enough temperature I'm much happier.

I'd suggest keep calling and complaining, if they can't fix it, ask them to bring and install a new one since they can't make it work right. it drove me nuts going through this

love to hear how this all works out, and best of luck,

[Thirdrail]

speaking as an HVAC/R technician and an avid beer fanatic....MOVE THE UNIT AWAY FROM THE WALLS!!!! you would be suprised how much air flow that coil actually needs....i bet your head pressure is through the roof and that is not good for your compressor....from the way you described it you are starving that unit of air flow (even though you installed a small vent) the whole purpose of moving air across that coil is to remove latent heat from the refrigerant in that line (liquid line) and to help prevent dust from accumulating on the coil itself (further blocking air flow)....why do you think your A/C system has the condensor out side of your house? and please do not blame the technician....when a customer wants his system the way you installed it there is very little he can do

[HopsHerder]

Only a few things will cause a “Frost Free” refrigerator to freeze up..

Two that usually are the culprits:
The Defrost Cycle is not working properly
Large Leak in a seal some where..door gasket, tower gasket....

You either have a defective unit or big leak.. You mentioned Finished basement, and since most basements aren’t warm, that unit should work fine as a Bar install.

HH

[burch26]

Then why are these advertised as "built-in" models? They are vented out the front and advertised as needing zero clearance on ANY side, I've read the instruction manual. My point is that I'm not the only person to install this the way that I have. This is not the $500 model from home depot. I'm going to call Summit and see what they say. I may try moving it to see if it improves.

[Bilbo Beergins]

I got the cert. If all the door seals are in place, it could be low freon levels, never filled properly at the factory. That should be covered under your warranty. Don't let whoever covers the warranty jerk you around on this. Especially as they're advertising zero clearance with front vent only.