Help Needed - Temperature Controller in mini Fridge ?

[Bluefin 774]

Hi gang,

I recently built a kegerator from a Danby 4.4 cubic foot mini fridge. The build turned out great. I would like the fridge temperature to be colder than it is now. I have an STC-1000 temperature controller just set up as a thermometer right now. I can add a receptacle to plug the fridge into. In order to get the fridge colder, would I have to disconnect the current thermostat and just run on the temperature controller? (STC-1000)

Thanks for the help.

PART 1: https://youtu.be/6xNPSHSBWDM

PART 2: https://youtu.be/Nn-D5hN2fik

[chalmers]

Great looking build, Mike!

If you already have the thermostat of the fridge set to the coldest setting, and it isn't cold enough, then I don't believe an external thermostat will help. However, if you put the setting to the coldest, and it gets too cold, then you're all set!

Out of curiousity, what is the STC-1000 reading? And what temp would you like to have it sitting at?

Here's a good guide for wiring up an external temp controller, where you will plug your fridge into: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/p ... ontroller/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A couple of videos in this build summary: http://brewprof.com/weekend-diy-homebre ... -stc-1000/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Otherwise you could replace your existing thermostat with the STC-1000, like this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tf3ZV_k7o4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, but that's a bit more involved. And, if your internal thermostat isn't getting you cold enough, this could help overcome that.

[Celiacbrew]

Hey mike from watching your videos it looks like you really have that fridge jammed full. The thermostat is on the ceiling. Any chance you have something touching the thermostat? You also might be getting the cold air building up in the back of the fridge shutting the compressor off before the front gets cold enough. If the compressor is cycling a lot and isn't just staying on then you might have an issue where the thermostat is being cooled off more than the front of the fridge. I think those fridges work by kind of filling up with cold air until it reaches the thermoset and gets shut off. If the thermostat is analog you could try adjusting the coarse adjustment screw to get a couple more degrees of coldness.

[Bluefin 774]

Great looking build, Mike!

If you already have the thermostat of the fridge set to the coldest setting, and it isn't cold enough, then I don't believe an external thermostat will help. However, if you put the setting to the coldest, and it gets too cold, then you're all set!

Out of curiousity, what is the STC-1000 reading? And what temp would you like to have it sitting at?

Here's a good guide for wiring up an external temp controller, where you will plug your fridge into: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/p ... ontroller/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A couple of videos in this build summary: http://brewprof.com/weekend-diy-homebre ... -stc-1000/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Otherwise you could replace your existing thermostat with the STC-1000, like this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tf3ZV_k7o4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, but that's a bit more involved. And, if your internal thermostat isn't getting you cold enough, this could help overcome that.

Thanks for the info, I will check out a few things and get back to you.

[Bluefin 774]

Hey mike from watching your videos it looks like you really have that fridge jammed full. The thermostat is on the ceiling. Any chance you have something touching the thermostat? You also might be getting the cold air building up in the back of the fridge shutting the compressor off before the front gets cold enough. If the compressor is cycling a lot and isn't just staying on then you might have an issue where the thermostat is being cooled off more than the front of the fridge. I think those fridges work by kind of filling up with cold air until it reaches the thermoset and gets shut off. If the thermostat is analog you could try adjusting the coarse adjustment screw to get a couple more degrees of coldness.

Good info, thanks for the help, I will try a few things and report back with my results.