Any Refrigeration Engineers out there?

[Meatymc]

So set up with gas and keg intending using our old spare fridge/freezer (Blomberg KGM9530P) for conditioning but for some reason the fridge was icing up although set close to Min (warmer setting on this appliance). Had a look and found the thermostat knob shaft had broken at some point so wasn't adjusting temperature and was running at -2C in the fridge and -18C in the freezer. Took the assembly apart and luckily, the shaft extends out through the PCB so was able to adjust it with plyers. As it was 4/5ths to one side, turned it fully the other way and when checked after a couple of hours the fridge was -7C and the freezer below -20C (limit of my thermometer). Took it apart again and rotated it fully the other way but the fridge won't go above 0C.

So the temperature is 'adjusting' but the base temp is too low so can't get to the 4C or 5C I'm after.

Done the usual - powered down for 48 hours etc but no joy

Any ideas on what needs replacing or can be adjusted please?

M

PS appreciate 4C or 5C is probably too low but all I can aim at for now

[vacant]

When I was given a fridge for brewing, to get two kegs to fit required ripping out stuff which included totally removing the thermostat assembly. Connected the wires to always-on. Power to the fridge is controlled by an STC-1000 sitting inside a £5 project box.

[Top Cat]

If you can’t solve the problem with the existing stat I would recommend an Inkbird or similar, you simply plug the mains of the fridge freezer into it and pass a small probe through a wall. Setting the temperature is simple and accurate, you just leave the existing stat set how it is. I’ve been using the ITC 308 for years now. As you’ve mentioned unless you are conditioning lager or similar, a warmer temperature than 5c may be desirable.

[Meatymc]

Cheers guys but apologies! What I should have added is that I use the freezer part for my home grown hops - it's just the fridge that's usually redundant except around Xmas. I've 3.5kg in there with nowhere else available at the moment to store them so need that to stay as is - would otherwise have done as you suggested as per my fermentation fridge.

Still don't get why it's suddenly using a much lower base temperature.

[MashBag]

I think... In a Fridge/freezer priority is given to the freezer.
Normally the circuit starts in the freezer and then chills the fridge.
The pcb keeps the balance.

At long as your freezer is -15c (or lower) you have cracked it.

Test using an inkbird in the fridge compartment.
Set the stat to max.
Set inky at 3c.with a 2c differential
Monitor freezer.

[Meatymc]

Set the stat to max.
Set inky at 3c.with a 2c differential
Monitor freezer.

Interesting idea working from the lowest temp upwards - particularly as I only have my home grown hops (vacuum packed) in the freezer so a couple of degrees on that side isn't critical.

Just kegged my first keg beer tonight (brew 183) - wrapped up beyond belief as sat on an insulated platform in the garage. Let's see how it goes.