Fridge thermostat bypass

exo88 · Feb 14, 2017

Hi guys, sorry if this question has already been asked a million times, but I would like to by pass the thermostat of my fridge to achieve lager temperatures (the minimum that I can get is 4ÃÂ°C) and I can't figure out which wires to cut. The fridge will then be controlled by an Inkbird 308.
I've labelled the wires in the photo, which ones do I need to connect to bypass the thermostat?
A I think is the temperature probe. The black wires B and D are connected togheter to the thermostat. D and E are connected to the light.
Thank you very much and sorry if it's a stupid question :)

Giacomo

aamcle · Feb 14, 2017

If you just bypass/disconnect the thermostat how do you plan to control the temperature and what temp are you aiming for? A STC is the common solution and it's what I use but for all that domestic fridges are not designed to hold 25 litres at about 0ÃÂ°C it's not good for them. When I lager at zero I use a STC controlled freezer not my precious fermentation fridge.

good luck aamcle

Gerryjo · Feb 14, 2017

Disconnect J and replace with B.This will bypass the thermostat and let you gain control of chilling with inkbird etc.

Clint · Feb 14, 2017

I may have a free under counter freezer coming soon...would this be suitable for cold crashing?

Cheers

Clint

Hoddy · Feb 14, 2017

Clint said:
I may have a free under counter freezer coming soon...would this be suitable for cold crashing?

Cheers

Clint

Yup with a bit of temp control it would be perfect. Although I've found around 2-4 degrees is usually good enough for just cold crashing the yeast of so suspension.

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Hoddy · Feb 14, 2017

exo88 said:
Hi guys, sorry if this question has already been asked a million times, but I would like to by pass the thermostat of my fridge to achieve lager temperatures (the minimum that I can get is 4ÃÂ°C) and I can't figure out which wires to cut. The fridge will then be controlled by an Inkbird 308.

I've labelled the wires in the photo, which ones do I need to connect to bypass the thermostat?

A I think is the temperature probe. The black wires B and D are connected togheter to the thermostat. D and E are connected to the light.

Thank you very much and sorry if it's a stupid question :)

Giacomo

Without a wiring diagram (there is usually one on the fridge somewhere) I'm not inclined to suggest anything other than leave alone as you are playing with 220v there and you could hurt yourself.

Worst case then dismantle the temp adjustment knob on the fridge and disconnect the dial or the probe itself as that will just tell the fridge it's under temperature all the time.

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Clint · Feb 14, 2017

So...set it up with an inkbird set to say 3 degrees and that's it?
I got wind of the freebie the other day,works perfectly just looks a bit tatty was thinking of having it set up permanently as cold crash. Or could it be used alternate with conditioning?
Sorry for hijack!

Cheers

Clint

exo88 · Feb 14, 2017

Hoddy said:
Without a wiring diagram (there is usually one on the fridge somewhere) I'm not inclined to suggest anything other than leave alone as you are playing with 220v there and you could hurt yourself.

Worst case then dismantle the temp adjustment knob on the fridge and disconnect the dial or the probe itself as that will just tell the fridge it's under temperature all the time.

I've found the diagram

strange-steve · Feb 14, 2017

Connect B and C together to bypass the thermostat.

exo88 · Feb 14, 2017

strange-steve said:
Connect B and C together to bypass the thermostat.

It worked! thank you so much

Thank's also to all the others that replied!
Cheers!!

BeerCat · Mar 23, 2018

Need some help. I have a massive hotppoint RLM84 and want to bypass the thermostat. Problem is i have no idea where it is. Anyone have one of these or know?

BeerCat · Mar 23, 2018

BeerCat said:
Need some help. I have a massive hotppoint RLM84 and want to bypass the thermostat. Problem is i have no idea where it is. Anyone have one of these or know?

Ah so the thermostat is behind the temp control knob. Obvious really. I wonder if its as easy to bypass as on here?

Bigcol49 · Mar 23, 2018

Clint said:
So...set it up with an inkbird set to say 3 degrees and that's it?
I got wind of the freebie the other day,works perfectly just looks a bit tatty was thinking of having it set up permanently as cold crash. Or could it be used alternate with conditioning?

Hi!
I've only just seen your post. I would have thought it would work well as a fermentation chamber - there seems to be lots of people in the US use them for that purpose. The advantage over a fridge is cold crashing down to almost 0°C, as well as the opportunity to lager at very cool temperatures.
You lucky dog!

BeerCat · Mar 23, 2018

I moved my fridge away from the wall and its now icing up. Good news. I can fit 2 standard FV's in here and 2 cornies so i can leave it at 0c cold crash and serve lagers.

The Baron · Mar 24, 2018

BeerCat said:
I moved my fridge away from the wall and its now icing up. Good news. I can fit 2 standard FV's in here and 2 cornies so i can leave it at 0c cold crash and serve lagers.

Hi
just be careful if you are serving lagers very cold as the water content can freeze and concentrate the alcohol (freeze distillation). I accidentally did this when my thermostat in my fridge stuck and served the missus 3 pints and she was *&£$*$!£. The next day I open the cornie and found loads of ice in it so it had concentrated the alcohol. Be warned!!!

BeerCat · Mar 24, 2018

the baron said:
Hi
just be careful if you are serving lagers very cold as the water content can freeze and concentrate the alcohol (freeze distillation). I accidentally did this when my thermostat in my fridge stuck and served the missus 3 pints and she was *&£$*$!£. The next day I open the cornie and found loads of ice in it so it had concentrated the alcohol. Be warned!!!

Good point. Had a few partly frozen beers when i have cold crashed. I have just realised the fridge only got so cold because i left the door open. Still need to bypass the thermostat.

BeerCat · Mar 24, 2018

Bigcol49 said:
Hi!
I've only just seen your post. I would have thought it would work well as a fermentation chamber - there seems to be lots of people in the US use them for that purpose. The advantage over a fridge is cold crashing down to almost 0°C, as well as the opportunity to lager at very cool temperatures.
You lucky dog!

Here are some photos of my thermostat. I am presuming i connect the brown and black wires to bypass it? Cant see how you would do it any other way but i thought best to check.

djheaton321 · Mar 25, 2018

That looks like my brew fridge. Yes, connect the blue and brown together. That's what I did and nothing went bang when I switched it on!

BeerCat · Mar 25, 2018

djheaton321 said:
That looks like my brew fridge. Yes, connect the blue and brown together. That's what I did and nothing went bang when I switched it on!

Awesome its working. I thought it would but as i had a few beers thought i better double check.
Well worth doing.

Fridge thermostat bypass

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