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Fridge Conversion

Post #1 made 14 years ago
by solly.schoultz
Hi

I have a old fridge that I want to convert to ferment in,

The fridge has a Ranco K59 L1035 thermostat in it
thermostat old.jpg
I have purchased a cold room thermostat model F2000 -35 to +35 Degrees C. (unfortunately the digital versions are hard to come by here and extremely expensive to import)
thermostat.jpg
The question is can I replace the current thermostat with the new one or would it be easier to create a external plug to control the switching on and off of the fridge.

The pin on the two vary in name

Ranco 3, 6, 4
F2000 P1, 1, 2

In the new one the wiring is to be
c = common
1 = open temp rise
2 = close temp rise

How would I wire this up?

Any assistance would be appreciated
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Last edited by solly.schoultz on 22 Dec 2011, 18:33, edited 4 times in total.

Post #2 made 14 years ago
by tolonen
I would definitely leave the factory thermostat in so the fridge functions as normal. Then I would attach the bulb of your new thermostat to the carboy (cover in some type of insulation, i.e. bubble wrap, fiberglass). Then you would run power to the refrigerator thru the new thermostat so it only turns on when the carboy needs cooling.

Reason I would leave the existing stat in there is this way you're guaranteed the fridge does not over-cool the interior of the appliance. It may not be designed to handle ice build-up occurring at below freezing temperatures. The carboy stat just allows the fridge to operate in a normal cooling mode when cooling is required.

If you need some type of wiring diagram I could make one up. Just need to run the power hot side thru the new thermostat P1/2 thru an extension cord like you suggested. You would have to put the stat in some type of enclosure to keep the wiring concealed.
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Post #4 made 14 years ago
by Aces high
Lots of people in Australia use one of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cooling-Heat ... 4ab12f4b07

I am not sure what your voltage is in SA, but i think there are 240 & 120V versions (were 240V in Aus)

You can connect a heat mat to the hot side (only in winter if required) and then the fridge to the cold side. The unit turns on the fridge till it gets down to the temp required then turns itself off. You just need to buy a box to mount it in and a few extension cord and a terminal block and you're good to go. Aussie home brewer has lots of wiring diagrams to use

You also dont even need to change the current thermostat, just turn it down to its lowest setting and the STC1000 does the rest. I have my fermenting fridge sitting between about 17.5 and 18 degrees on a full 35 degree summers day in Perth and it doesn't miss a beat.

I have another controller on my kegging chest freezer and it sits on 4 degrees.
Last edited by Aces high on 23 Dec 2011, 11:25, edited 4 times in total.

Post #5 made 14 years ago
by Yeasty
My fridge build is Here its not a "how to" thread as this sort of thing is well covered in the forums but there are some links to some good threads on this topic.
Last edited by Yeasty on 23 Dec 2011, 18:22, edited 4 times in total.
Why is everyone talking about "Cheese"
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