Thanks everybody for your input on the fridge. It appears to be the
thermostat. I tried unplugging it overnight and then turning on again.
Same symptoms. The thermostat switching mechanism is in a plastic box
screwed to the side of the fridge compartment. So it is subject to any
humidity changes. The sensing bulb is attached to the cooling plate
underside. Since the behavoir didn't change after a 24 hour plus off
period I decided to look inside the box. The box is held to the inside
with one screw and a tab. Just unscrewing the the retaining screw and
swinging the box away from the side started the fridge compressor. Now
it is cooling properly. So either the capillary tube is faulty or the
switch contacts are dirty. I think. Anyway, I will be taking apart the
switch mechanism to see if I can clean the switch contacts. If that
doesn't work I do have a little temp controller that I can set to an
exact temp that I can substitute for the thermostat assembly.
Thanks again for all the reaponses.
Cheers,
Eric

prodded the keyboard with:

Thanks everybody for your input on the fridge. It appears to be the
thermostat. I tried unplugging it overnight and then turning on
again. Same symptoms. The thermostat switching mechanism is in a
plastic box screwed to the side of the fridge compartment. So it is
subject to any humidity changes. The sensing bulb is attached to the
cooling plate underside. Since the behavoir didn't change after a 24
hour plus off period I decided to look inside the box. The box is
held to the inside with one screw and a tab. Just unscrewing the the
retaining screw and swinging the box away from the side started the
fridge compressor. Now it is cooling properly. So either the
capillary tube is faulty or the switch contacts are dirty. I think.
Anyway, I will be taking apart the switch mechanism to see if I can
clean the switch contacts. If that doesn't work I do have a little
temp controller that I can set to an exact temp that I can
substitute for the thermostat assembly. Thanks again for all the
reaponses. Cheers,
Eric

Hi Eric,
I don't know what fridge stats cost over there but they are only about
£10 for a universal one. They also come with a selection of knobs
just in case your original one doesn't fit.

--
Best Regards:
Baron.

On Sat, 02 May 2020 10:14:50 -0700, wrote:

I do have a little temp controller that I can set to an
exact temp that I can substitute for the thermostat assembly.

Make sure you don't set the temperature range too tight. You don't
want the compressor to turn on and off too frequently.

On Sat, 02 May 2020 19:20:39 +0100, Baron
wrote:

prodded the keyboard with:

Thanks everybody for your input on the fridge. It appears to be the
thermostat. I tried unplugging it overnight and then turning on
again. Same symptoms. The thermostat switching mechanism is in a
plastic box screwed to the side of the fridge compartment. So it is
subject to any humidity changes. The sensing bulb is attached to the
cooling plate underside. Since the behavoir didn't change after a 24
hour plus off period I decided to look inside the box. The box is
held to the inside with one screw and a tab. Just unscrewing the the
retaining screw and swinging the box away from the side started the
fridge compressor. Now it is cooling properly. So either the
capillary tube is faulty or the switch contacts are dirty. I think.
Anyway, I will be taking apart the switch mechanism to see if I can
clean the switch contacts. If that doesn't work I do have a little
temp controller that I can set to an exact temp that I can
substitute for the thermostat assembly. Thanks again for all the
reaponses. Cheers,
Eric

Hi Eric,
I don't know what fridge stats cost over there but they are only about
£10 for a universal one. They also come with a selection of knobs
just in case your original one doesn't fit.
Since I already have a nice digital controller I won't be needing to
buy one. But thanks anyway.
Eric

On Sat, 02 May 2020 20:46:50 +0200, HW wrote:

On Sat, 02 May 2020 10:14:50 -0700, wrote:

I do have a little temp controller that I can set to an
exact temp that I can substitute for the thermostat assembly.

Make sure you don't set the temperature range too tight. You don't
want the compressor to turn on and off too frequently.
So what should the hysteresis be? and suggestions?
Thanks,
Eric

On 5/3/20 3:40 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 02 May 2020 20:46:50 +0200, HW wrote:

On Sat, 02 May 2020 10:14:50 -0700, wrote:

I do have a little temp controller that I can set to an
exact temp that I can substitute for the thermostat assembly.

Make sure you don't set the temperature range too tight. You don't
want the compressor to turn on and off too frequently.
So what should the hysteresis be? and suggestions?
Thanks,
Eric


Says for the fridge it should be between 35 and 40F. So, I'd say a
5F hysteresis.
Also suggested 0F for the freezer, but didn't give a range. So, I'd say
+/- 2.5F


--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com

On Sun, 3 May 2020 16:36:37 -0500, Fox's Mercantile
wrote:

On 5/3/20 3:40 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 02 May 2020 20:46:50 +0200, HW wrote:

On Sat, 02 May 2020 10:14:50 -0700, wrote:

I do have a little temp controller that I can set to an
exact temp that I can substitute for the thermostat assembly.

Make sure you don't set the temperature range too tight. You don't
want the compressor to turn on and off too frequently.
So what should the hysteresis be? and suggestions?
Thanks,
Eric


Says for the fridge it should be between 35 and 40F. So, I'd say a
5F hysteresis.
Also suggested 0F for the freezer, but didn't give a range. So, I'd say
+/- 2.5F
Thanks for that Jeff. Since this is a mini fridge there is only one
compartment, so I can't set more than one temp. Makes life easy.
Eric

On Sun, 03 May 2020 13:40:39 -0700, wrote:

So what should the hysteresis be? and suggestions?

If you can find the specs for the original thermostat, that would be a
good starting point.

I have retrofitted a digital thermostat to my kitchen fridge. After a
lot of googling and experimentation, I ended up with the "on"
temperature at +4 C, and the "off" temperature at -17 C or so. The
sensor is attached to the evaporator in the back of the fridge, so the
air will not reach -17 C, of course.

Your fridge will be different. You will have to experiment. The lower
temperature needs to be set quite precisely, since the temperature
drops quite quickly at first, but very slowly towards the end of the
cycle.

Also, remember that the cycle time will be faster with an empty
fridge, compared to when it is fully loaded.