I've previously written about my Vitrifrigo DP2600 compressor refrigerator installation and some of the experiences I've had living with it.
Well... I finally got fed up with the challenges of keeping the refrigerator at the correct temperature, even though the freezer was always plenty cold. There are two issues in this particular fridge; 1) The thermostat's temperature probe is fastened directly to the bottom plate of the evaporator and 2) in humid conditions a layer of frost builds up on the evaporator... and completely covers the temp' probe.
I was apparent to me that in order to maintain a consistent temperature inside the refrigeration compartment that the temperature probe needed to be installed inside that same compartment. To remedy the problem I picked up an inexpensive 12V digital temperature controller and installed it in a panel below the fridge. Then I installed the temperature probe (using factory wiring) in the refrigerator compartment... right next to where I keep my beer :). The controller is programable and also allows for calibration of the sensor (which I have compared with my Fluke 52 meter). As an added benefit I now have a digital display with the current temperature as well as an indicator when the compressor is running.
I currently have the temp set to 33.5ยบF with 4 degrees of swing (so the compressor turns on at 37.5 and off at 33.5). This seems to be about right, as the temp's inside the fridge continue to drop about 1ยบ after the compressor shuts off. At this setting the freezer compartment has been staying in the 0-12ยบF range.
The controller is quite small (~3" X 1.25") and is installed in a 1/4" ply panel right under the fridge. The red dot to the left of the temperature indicates that the compressor is on, and the rocker switch on the left side of the panel turns off power to the controller which will also shut off the compressor, but not the light inside the fridge. I fabricated the panel while at a friend's home in Atlanta and installed it in a hurry, so the coat of polyurethane will have to wait until I get home.
This pic' shows the fridge prior to controller installation.
Cheers,
-Mark
Well... I finally got fed up with the challenges of keeping the refrigerator at the correct temperature, even though the freezer was always plenty cold. There are two issues in this particular fridge; 1) The thermostat's temperature probe is fastened directly to the bottom plate of the evaporator and 2) in humid conditions a layer of frost builds up on the evaporator... and completely covers the temp' probe.
I was apparent to me that in order to maintain a consistent temperature inside the refrigeration compartment that the temperature probe needed to be installed inside that same compartment. To remedy the problem I picked up an inexpensive 12V digital temperature controller and installed it in a panel below the fridge. Then I installed the temperature probe (using factory wiring) in the refrigerator compartment... right next to where I keep my beer :). The controller is programable and also allows for calibration of the sensor (which I have compared with my Fluke 52 meter). As an added benefit I now have a digital display with the current temperature as well as an indicator when the compressor is running.
I currently have the temp set to 33.5ยบF with 4 degrees of swing (so the compressor turns on at 37.5 and off at 33.5). This seems to be about right, as the temp's inside the fridge continue to drop about 1ยบ after the compressor shuts off. At this setting the freezer compartment has been staying in the 0-12ยบF range.
The controller is quite small (~3" X 1.25") and is installed in a 1/4" ply panel right under the fridge. The red dot to the left of the temperature indicates that the compressor is on, and the rocker switch on the left side of the panel turns off power to the controller which will also shut off the compressor, but not the light inside the fridge. I fabricated the panel while at a friend's home in Atlanta and installed it in a hurry, so the coat of polyurethane will have to wait until I get home.
This pic' shows the fridge prior to controller installation.
Cheers,
-Mark
