Kegerator compressor cycling question

[diannotti]

So I read about a dozen threads on compressor cycling but none that I found answered what a "good" or normal cycle should be, just to avoid short cycyling. So here is my question / scenario:

DAR44BL converted to kegerator, Ranco etc controller set to 42 with 3 degree variance.
I just started to closely observe my kegerator and here is how it is "cycling"
7:10 am Compressor kicks on at 45
11:04 am Compressor turns off at 42
12:58 pm - it's currently at 43
* I changed Ranco to a 2 degree variance and it hit 44 at
1:02PM and compressor is on again
2:04 PM Compressor off
3:27 PM 44 degrees Compressor on
4:34 PM Compressor of at 42

*Changing to 2 degrees seemed to lower the running time from 4 hours to 1hr. My "off" time decreased from just under 2 hours to right about 1 hour 15.

Anyone have any input? How long is too long for the compressor to run? How short is too short for the compressor to have to come back on?

 

[audger]

as long as its not kicking on more than a few times per hour i would say that is fine. if you think about it- an air conditioner is the same thing and they cycle on and off every 10-30 minutes. as long as its not 5min on / 5 min off all the time, i wouldnt worry about it.

there isnt a set "too long" number, but a few hours is probably a good estimate. as long as the compressor isnt overheating (you want good ventilation on the condensor coil). my glycol chiller sometimes runs for 8 hours at a time, and its still alive and kickin'.