Fridge dial

[tourer]

Greeting all, does it make any difference what number the fridge dial is set at to cool down the fermenting bin when using a STC1000 set at 2c. Should it be turned right up to max (7 on mine).
Many thanks

[vacant]

If the compressor cuts out when the STC1000 trigger temperature is reached then you can leave the fridge thermostat at 7 for maximum cooling. I'm not alone in ripping out the thermostat/fridge sensor/door light/switch assembly but then I won't ever be trying to resell mine as an ordinary fridge.

If the fridge thermostat cuts off the compressor above 2C, the fridge will still continue to cool further for a few minutes and maybe hit 2C. That may still be acceptable.

[demig]

Not done a lager in mine yet and was setting the dial at high for my ales however this is interesting. Are you saying the fridge thermostat might turn off above 2 degrees when on max and therefore bypassing completely is better as you can get the maximum cooling from the compressor as it will run on longer?

This seems to make sense if I am understanding this properly.

Thanks

[vacant]

As I understand it, the best all-round temp for storing food is 3C and most fridges' thermostats should be able to set a range plus or minus a few degrees around that. If a slightly faulty fridge could only get down to say 4C on max thermostat settings, then when it cut the compressor the fridge would continue to cool a bit further. But you're right - in that scenario the compressor would not have quite such long power/rest cycles. Doubt it would matter much.

You shouldn't need to bypass anything. If the fridge sensor got iced up, the compressor would cut out too soon, but a defrost should sort it out.

I ought to say that I've only ripped out old fridges - I wouldn't interfere with "auto defrost" on a modern fridge without some research.

[lord groan]

That depends on how the STC is wired in, in my fridge the original fridge stat is disconnected completely, the STC controls the compressor and a heater. So the stat can be set to anything you like it's now purely decorative.
If the fridge stat is somehow wired in as well as the STC then you'd need to provide a wiring diagram to be able to work out the effect of changing it's setting
hth

[tourer]

OK guys, i left the fridge on number 7 and it took about 28 hours to drop to 2c, so at the moment i'll leave the stat in place but i may in the future take it out of service. Would it be OK if i just disconnect the stat in the fridge and connect the stat wires to have a continuous feed to the compressor? Using the STC1000 to control the fridge.
many thanks for your help.