Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:
Converting a refrigerator into a wine cellar
I currently have a 20 year old Whirlpool refrigerator and would like to convert it to a wine cellar. The thermometer reads 39 F on the refrigerator's lowest setting. The optimum temperature for a wine cellar is 55 F. I have an electronics background albeit 20 years old. What modification or replacement can be performed on the thermostat to achieve my goal?? Please advise. Thanks
No one has asked me this one before so I looked into this and there are no cold controls that go up to 55F.
There is a solution though. What you need to do is find a household thermostat that can be set to that temp, electronic or otherwise. Unfortunately these thermostats only work on low voltage so you will need a 24VAC transformer, and a relay with a 24VAC coil with N.O. contacts if it’s a heating thermostat and N.C. if it’s meant for cooling. The contacts need to be rated for 1/2 hp.
Configure it so the thermostat turns on the relay which in turn fires up the compressor and fan. The wires that go to the original cold control turn the unit on and off.
Remember the refrigerator will have to be placed in an area where the temperature is higher then 55 degrees because it can’t provide any warming if the ambient temperature is colder than you need the inside to be.
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