Phillips Perfectdraft heatsink and fan cleaning walk through guide

This is a walk through guide for anyone who wants to take the back off their Phillips Perfectdraft machine and clean the fan and heatsink out.
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[@peterkramer8400]

Thank you for sharing this video with the PD-community.

[@theladylovesbeer5102]

PD wouldn’t go below 8deg so gave this a go… amazing how much dust came out between the fan and the heat sink. Thought the machine was on its way out but this worked a treat, it’s sitting at 3deg for the first time in a long time. Cheers Neil 🍻

[@anthonyhodgson4866]

Great, Thanks Neil, this worked perfectly , mine had starting to settle at 8 degrees, Followed these easy instructions and now it works perfectly at 3 degrees . Small problem I had was , I'd loosened the two screws at the bottom of the casing and thought they weren't engaged, as the casing moved at the bottom , and although Id' taken the screws out completely at the top , it was the top that I couldn't move when trying to take the casing off . So I was fiddling around at the top trying to manoeuvre it off. It turned out the bottom screws were still holding in place. Thanks again Neil

[@nmealey]

Thanks for the comments mate. Aye, they can be a bit of a pain, but only on some machines

[@FKU7777]

Really good mate, thanks. Mine is struggling now even after the heatwave but admittedly well overdue a de-smeg

[@nmealey]

It's surprising how dirty it can get.

[@anthoneliassen7707]

Thanks for the instruction! Just cleaned my 10 year old machine, and it was pretty dirty. Used a compressor instead of the vacuum cleaner though.

[@davidbirch5365]

Thanks Neil. Thought my 5 year old PD had died and was going to see if I could get it repaired then remembered seeing this video. Jesus, the dust build up on it (I´d moved to Spain and had it outdoors for 6 months). Worked like a charm!!!

[@nmealey]

Glad to have been a help 😁

[@nmealey]

Is there any difficulty getting kegs in Spain? I've bought a place in Murcia and I'm considering taking a machine over 😁

[@davidbirch5365]

​@@nmealey you can get them sent to a courier collection point ready to pick up when you arrive. Happy Days!

[@nmealey]

@@davidbirch5365 do you use hopt then or are there cheaper euro options

[@davidbirch5365]

Yes, use Hopt.

[@leejones1971]

Thanks for sharing that Neil.

[@nmealey]

no problems mate.

[@jennystone5277]

Great stuff thanks

[@rakeshnahar4092]

done, let’s hope it works 😊

[@ogh72]

Perfect mate 👌🏼 🍻

[@nmealey]

Glad to have helped matey

[@ogh72]

It did cheers.

[@stevesolomon8848]

Thanks for sharing Neil. However, this is for the older version of the machine. Tried to do this with a newer model and was unable to unscrew one of the top screws and could not get the cover off. Then when I tried to screw back the rest of the screws, I could not get the bottom screws on and now have a unit with a loose cover at the bottom. Use with caution on newer machines.

[@user-hs2hd7wp9g]

Thanks for the heads up, such a shame that we can’t do a service that simple ourselves

[@kieranmccrory1862]

Wish I'd read this comment before trying. Really frustrating

[@bennym2893]

My PD was a second hand one and I approximate that its now 5 years old, its taking a very long time to cool a pre chilled keg from the local store down to 3C, going to give this a go to see if it helps. I Find Iv got to get a pint poured out before it wants to chill any further than 10C. Does always get down to 3C eventually though

[@nmealey]

Give it a bash, you may find some screws have threadlock on them. Two options re that 1) force it / cut screw, there's only usually one like this. 2) heat the screw with a soldering iron which melts the thread lock.

[@bennym2893]

@@nmealey Thanks for the heads up :) Im sure i'l manage it no problem. Hoping it makes some kind of difference!

[@nmealey]

Let me know how you get on.

[@bells1969]

Great video worked well for me back to 3 degrees again. Many thanks mate

[@nmealey]

Perfect, glad it has helped. Should reduce the electricity used a bit too.

[@bells1969]

I’d rather it filled the keg back up but that’s wishful thinking on my part lol

[@nmealey]

@@bells1969 don't we all 🤣😂🤣

[@tonyjefford8449]

Hi fella thanks for video it will be helpful. Can you tell me where you got your Simpsons decor?? Many thanks

[@nmealey]

Glad it's helped. The Simpsons magnets came from Fabien at www.perfectmagnet.co.uk/

[@holgerkrueger4242]

I also damaged my two screws from below, but could finally get them out. Whith a PH2 screwdriver it works better than with a PH1. We have only metric screws here, but the 3Mx20 do not fit, because they have a different thread. Does anyone know, which screws I could buy?

[@thomassimmons2989]

Does the fan separate from the plastic mounting bracket? I have a PD supplied Dec 2020 and from the moment it was turned it gives off a horrible whine like a coil whine or a bad bearing in the cooling fan. If its a standard 120mm or 90mm PC fan i might switch mine out

[@nmealey]

I think so. It's been a while others have swapped out the fan for an aftermarket pc silent fan though.

[@alex4555]

Thanks for sharing. Could you please tell me what screwdriver you took for the 4 screws to remove the back panel? I had problems to remove the bottom screws because of the suboptimal location of the screws (only works with long and slim screwdrivers)...

[@nmealey]

Hi, thanks for your comments. The screwdriver I used was just an old one I've had in my tool box for years. The other two were Halfords professional screwdrivers. They also fit in the little holes. I hope this helps you out.

[@germantexan8342]

I tried also to get it off today, as temperature isn’t dropping properly anymore. It’s pretty dusty, so I guess a nice cleaning would help. Tried all screwdrivers I have, but also couldn’t get the 2 from the bottom off.

[@nmealey]

@@germantexan8342 hi, they can be a pain I suspect that they're loctite secured in or done with heat. I'd suggest trying to use a paint brush it other long bristled brush to try and brush the heatsink and fan, along with a vacuum cleaner to suck the dust up. Make sure you unplug it first so the fan is off. The alternative is to keep trying the screws, snip them or force them out. Neither of which will be pretty. If you do, ensure its out of warranty!

[@germantexan8342]

Neil Mealey Perfectdraftkegtips First I tried another screwdriver set, but still couldn’t get them loose. I used a brush and a vacuum cleaner then. I think I didn’t get all the dust off, but still a lot came off. Temperature reached the 3 degree afterwards so I’m good with if for the moment. Thanks for the vid and the Tipps.

[@nmealey]

@@germantexan8342 excellent. If they're truly stick there's maybe only one option after that. If you've managed with a British and vacuum cleaner hopefully it'll be ok now.

[@Kai-qw7ch]

As a new owner of the Philips beer machine. I'm kinda pleased with mine for the most, however. I notice two buttons on the inside at the back Behind the keg. Try as I can, I have no idea what they are for...Anyone ?

[@craigy691]

I bought one 2nd hand pre chilled my keg to 3 degrees left it for 12 hours in the machine it went up to 14degrees the fan at the back doesn’t look dirty at all any more tips

[@nmealey]

Sounds like the pelator (Or whatever it's called) is broken. Contact Phillips and they'll fix it within a week and for a set fee of about £50.

[@brizaldolichtie]

Hi Neil Thanks fot that video, is it possible you can do one where you have to renew the 3 capacitors behind the panel top left at rear.. ive heard that tese are a common item that cause s bad readings and Temp not going down to 3.. Cheers Brian

[@nmealey]

Hey, thanks for your comment. That is way beyond my skillset unfortunately. I've never actually seen that issue before. Doesn't mean it's not a thing though. I'm just a keen pd enthusiast, not an technician unfortunately.

[@brizaldolichtie]

@Neil Mealey I've just cleaned mine couldbeliev how bad it was.ive put a new keg from fridge on and temp is sitting at 19% will check in the morning to see if it's come down, if not I think I will change the 3 capacitors located behind the top left hand panel..there is a video on here somewhere and it looks straightforward (fingers crossed) I believe the capacitors couldn't cooe with the dirt that was found...

[@nmealey]

Hopefully it'll be down to 3. Let me know 😀

[@brizaldolichtie]

@@nmealey ok

[@brizaldolichtie]

It didn't go down, sent it back to philips for repair.

[@andrewmoir7419]

Ive been getting a kink in the rubber hose inside the tap , it pours a massive head now ,have you heard of this problem before neil

[@nmealey]

Recently there's been a few people have had it. Never use the same tube that's been in the fridge with the keg. I use a room temp one. As i push it in I twist it. Other people recommend removing the tip of the spout. It comes off easily enough but I've never personally found the need.

[@andrewmoir7419]

@@nmealey cheers I’ll take the tube off the keg when it’s in the fridge 👍

[@antonymcnicol3588]

How often do you recommend cleaning the heat sink and fan?

[@nmealey]

Hi, only if the machine struggles to get down to temperature. If you kept the long brush that came with it you can use that with a vacuum cleaner as an easier method. If your machine is still under warranty, I would not recommend it as taking the back off may invalid it.

[@obviouslytwo4u]

That would all depend on what kind of environment you are keeping the chiller in if you are in a dusty environment then more often

[@scoobykerr77]

I have one that doesn't cool and no display but fan runs and pours warm beer, any ideas?

[@nmealey]

I'd say send it back to Philips, it'll be a free repair if less than 2 years old or £50 if older than that.

[@barrypaton5633]

Any ideas what's wrong when the drink freezes 🥶 that's my issue! Is there a temp sensor?

[@nmealey]

Check there's not a build up of ice on the chiller plate. This could decrease the temp while the machine still thinks it's warmer so chills further.

[@stephen22585]

Hi ive cleaned mine like this and it wont go below 7c Any tips?

[@nmealey]

Hi, try moving it's location if it's near a wall then it might not be getting enough ventilation. Put it somewhere out of direct sunshine and well away from the walls, like a dining room table for a day to see if that helps. Check you've not got an ice build up on the chiller plate or the bottom of the keg. If neither of these things allow it to go below 7 then it sounds like the Pelletier might be on its way out. If it's less than 2 years old it'll be under warranty. If not it'll be a £50 repair from Phillips. Keep us updated with the results.👍

[@Patangpatang-pg5ep]

Couldn’t get screws to budge - they appear to be glued in as they crumbled l. Don’t think it’s designed to be manually cleaned. Hope I haven’t damaged my machine

[@nmealey]

Some are secured with loctite. If you heat the screw up with a soldering iron or fair dryer then it may make it easier.

[@Patangpatang-pg5ep]

@@nmealey thanks - looking at the screw heads, I think I have ruined them now. Might just try to blow the dust out with a can of air or similar.

[@obviouslytwo4u]

The dreaded peltier device for cooling is a nightmare

[@Vote.ReformUK]

Put a Noctua fan in it

[@thibaudvanherck5487]

I really f*ed up my screws and now I can’t get them out. Anyone ever had any succes with drilling the screw heads?

[@nmealey]

If there's any head left, try heating the screw up a little bit with a soldering iron. That should melt the loctite

[@nmealey]

Not too much though

[@thibaudvanherck5487]

@@nmealey thanks for the tip, will try it out after the weekend, I’ll keep you updated :)

[@garyuk761]

Totally pointless wouldn't have made any difference whatsoever

[@nmealey]

I think you must be the exception. If your machine is still struggling to cool down then look at where it is. Plenty of space around it? Getting hot air from another appliance or machine.

[@martinwilsdon532]

Yes, pointless on this machine as it's clean, he's just showing you how to. Try running a machine for a year and then doing this- it'll be full of dust.