Mini Fridge won't go below 45 degrees

[wsmith1625]

Hi all! I am trying to lager my kolsch and have my wine fridge connected to an Inkbird ITC-308 temperature controller. I was dropping the temperature 3 degrees at a clip to keep on top of the suck back issue because I don't have any gear to deal with that. I started at 58 degrees, and then clips of 3 degrees. It was doing great and stalled at 45. I can't figure out why as the cooling plate in the fridge gets icy cold when it's on. The temperature controller is calling for cold right now, but the compressor in the fridge is not on. Is this a problem with the settings on my temp controller or a safety on the fridge? Not sure if I can get around this somehow or if it's just a limitation of my fridge. Thanks!

 

[michaeltrego]

Is the built in fridge temperature controller set to its absolute coldest setting?

 

[Dr_Jeff]

You may need to bypass the internal thermostat of the fridge.

 

[wsmith1625]

I was thinking the same, but want to see if there are other solutions. Thanks Dr_Jeff.

 

[wsmith1625]

Is the built in fridge temperature controller set to its absolute coldest setting?

Yes, it goes from 0 - 7 and I have it at 7.

 

[michaeltrego]

Yes, it goes from 0 - 7 and I have it at 7.

If you unplug the external controller and the fridge gets colder than 45 on setting 7, then it sounds like the external controller is at fault.

 

[wsmith1625]

If you unplug the external controller and the fridge gets colder than 45 on setting 7, then it sounds like the external controller is at fault.

That's a good test. I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[firerat]

Yes, it goes from 0 - 7 and I have it at 7.

This is gonna sound dumb, but are you sure 7 means coldest?

 

[wsmith1625]

This is gonna sound dumb, but are you sure 7 means coldest?

LOL! Yes, it says "7 is the coldest setting" right on the dial.

 

[firerat]

LOL ok.

I've done silly stuff like that before so why not ask right.

 

[wsmith1625]

It's a Magic Chef Model MCWC45MCG if anyone has experience with these units. Funny that 45 is in the model number.

 

[michaeltrego]

It's a Magic Chef Model MCWC45MCG if anyone has experience with these units. Funny that 45 is in the model number.

I think the 45 in the model numbers refers to the 45 bottle capacity.

 

[wsmith1625]

I just watched a troubleshooting video of a guy working on a wine fridge where the compressor would not turn on, no power going to it. He checked the thermostat by bypassing it with a jumper cable and sure enough, the compressor turned on. My wine fridge has the same thermostat, so is it that simple to bypass it? Any issues doing this, other than freezing the unit up by running it full time?

 

[Dr_Jeff]

eventually it will get to the set point of your Inkbird

Yes, it's that simple

 

[wsmith1625]

Problem solved. Bypassing the fridge thermostat was a simple fix. Thanks all!

 

[Jordan Logo]

Adding a little desk fan will help as well with the efficiency of your fridge cooling everything down equally.

 

[wsmith1625]

Adding a little desk fan will help as well with the efficiency of your fridge cooling everything down equally.

I have a PC fan from my old fermentation chamber build laying around. I was chilling with ice bottles, so I definitely needed air circulation. Never occurred to me to add it to my mini fridge. Thanks for the tip.