Temperature Controllers

[Gabety]

I built a keezer many years ago and used a temp controller. I recently was given a commercial grade display refrigerator. It only cools to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I thought if I bought a inkbird 1000F I could run the temp lower. After wiring it up and testing it still only cooled to 40. So it dawned on me that wiring up the controller like I did on my keezer still leaves the refrigerator's thermostat in control. So what would I do to bypass the thermostat of the refrigerator? Does that solve my problem so the refrigerator would cool to lower temps? Also where can I find good instructions for programming the 1000F? What came with it seem very incomplete.

 

[corncob]

No way to answer without a wiring diagram, model number, pictures, or something.

You have the right idea--disable the thermostat so that the contacts never open and the temp controller will have ultimate control. The only risk is that you might damage the unit by running it colder than it was designed for. Unlikely, but possible.

 

[day_trippr]

If this display fridge is the typically stupid simple machine there's a good change this can be addressed simply: remove all power connections to the machine, find the machine's original thermostat control, open it up, and see if there's just a black lead and a red lead (or perhaps another black lead) both connected to the thermostat. Remove both leads from the thermostat and wire them together. There may/should also be a yellow/green safety ground. Leave that alone.

Plug the unit into an AC source and make sure the compressor fires up. If so, you can now take control of the machine via its line cord, plugging it into the controller of your choice, with its temperature sensor rationally placed inside the machine.

Cheers!