STC-1000 working but a question

[teachtim]

So we were planning on using an STC-1000 with a small dorm fridge. So we wired the STC-1000 to an outlet so we could control cooling and heating.
Well I found a full sized side by side for free! This does bring up a small problem, I think. Most folks on here and other sites seem to hardwire the STC-1000 to the thermostats that are in the fridge. Most even have two controllers, one for the fridge one for the freezer.
Could I still just plug the main fridge cord into the STC-1000 like we planned for the small fridge?
Will that cause issues with the freezer side since the temp probe will be running just the fridge section. So the cycles will be determined by the temp in the fridge, but the power to the freezer will only be active when the fridge cycles on through the STC-1000. Right now we don't have a plan for the freezer side as we both have keggerators that stand alone.
Will I do damage to the freezer if it only runs when the fridge section is running?

 

[opiate82]

Most fridges cool themselves by borrowing cold air from the freezer. So there aren't two separate cooling cycles, just one to keep the freezer cold and one to move cold air from the freezer to the fridge.

I think as long as you set an appropriate compressor delay you won't do any damage, but I am by no means an expert. Your freezer may not get as cold as normal using the STC-1000 to control the temp.

 

[rlmiller10]

I have a full sized fridge plugged into a STC-1000 and it works fine. The freezer can't be used for anything while fermenting. But if you cold crash for the last three days or so you can put ice jugs in the freezer to have them ready for cooling the wort chiller on the next brew. In the case of the cold crash I just plug the fridge into the wall instead of the STC-1000 for those last few days.

 

[teachtim]

Thanks for the replies. We got it up and running last night. The first few hours seemed like it was working backwards, the fridge was plugged into the heating outlet rather than the cooling. After one day the freezer side is sitting at 53 degrees while the fridge side is at 68. Of course that's adjustable as you all know.