Thread: Has anyone fitted temp control unit to an Engel?

I've ordered a 12v-24 ac/dc controller.
I think it will work.

Craig, I fitted that temp controller to my 30 year old Engel last week. It's fitted into the top panel beside the thermostat - there is just enough room.

It works well.

I also added 3 computer fans to get better air flow.

Want pics?

As the compressor runs from AC, I put a bridge rectifier in to give about 15 volts unregulated and unsmoothed DC. That powers the fans which switch on every time the compressor starts.

The temp regulator is only on the DC side. It merely switches the 12 volts DC input to the fridge. When running from AC ( which mine never does), the original thermostat is used.

Ron, some pics and how you hooked it all up would be fantastic
I have added 1 fan, but would be really keen to see how you have fitted 3 fans.
Cheers
Craig

Originally Posted by p38arover

Craig, I fitted that temp controller to my 30 year old Engel last week. It's fitted into the top panel beside the thermostat - there is just enough room.

It works well.

I also added 3 computer fans to get better air flow.

Want pics?

As the compressor runs from AC, I put a bridge rectifier in to give about 15 volts unregulated and unsmoothed DC. That powers the fans which switch on every time the compressor starts.

The temp regulator is only on the DC side. It merely switches the 12 volts DC input to the fridge. When running from AC ( which mine never does), the original thermostat is used.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Craig, I fitted that temp controller to my 30 year old Engel last week. It's fitted into the top panel beside the thermostat - there is just enough room.

It works well.

I also added 3 computer fans to get better air flow.

Want pics?

As the compressor runs from AC, I put a bridge rectifier in to give about 15 volts unregulated and unsmoothed DC. That powers the fans which switch on every time the compressor starts.

The temp regulator is only on the DC side. It merely switches the 12 volts DC input to the fridge. When running from AC ( which mine never does), the original thermostat is used.

Ron

Do you have any testing of cooling efficiency gained vs power consumed?
Run times are likely reduced, what is the power now consumed during those runs vs the longer run time without the induction?

Originally Posted by Tombie

Ron

Do you have any testing of cooling efficiency gained vs power consumed?
Run times are likely reduced, what is the power now consumed during those runs vs the longer run time without the induction?

No, I haven't done any testing yet, Mike. I can do some quick consumption tests, i.e., measure the current drawn with the fans connected and disconnected.

The three fans I have are low power consumption computer fans, 2 small ones on the top sucking air out and one larger unit on the back blowing air in.

Craig has asked if it would be possible to configure the controller to work when the fridge is running on AC.

It should be easy enough. Probably wire it so the relay in the controller is in parallel with the existing thermostat. Turn the original thermostat to minimum, i.e., the off position. Putting the new controller in parallel would allow the old thermostat to be brought back into use if the new one ever failed.

One would need to fit a few components to provide a regulated 12v supply for the controller. That'd comprise a bridge rectifier, an electrolytic capacitor (for smoothing the rectified AC, a 12 volt regulator, and another small capacitor after the regulator - in total 4 components costing about $8 all up. I'll draw that up later.

This diagram is, I think, pretty close to correct for an unmodified older Engel. It may have errors, I took a diagram from a later model and re-drew it. I haven't finished redrawing it nor have I added the new controller.

AC DC 12V 24V PID Digital ITC 100VL Temperature Controller 40DA SSR K Sensor | eBay


This is what I've ordered
My fridge runs constantly, temp controller doesn't work.
If I disconnect the temp sensor wires, the fridge will turn off.
I just need to find a suitable voltage supply inside the fridge to power this controller and then switch the contacts for the original thermistor.
I intend to mount it in/on the fridge, hoping it will also work on 12/24/240

Originally Posted by jboot51

My fridge runs constantly, temp controller doesn't work.
If I disconnect the temp sensor wires, the fridge will turn off.
I just need to find a suitable voltage supply inside the fridge to power this controller and then switch the contacts for the original thermistor.

The image only shows the power supply and switched contacts connections. Where does the thermistor connect?

The older Engels use a thermostat, not a thermistor - see my diagram above).

Can you put up a pic of the wiring diagram on the side of the controller you bought?

Still waiting on the controller to arrive.


Mine is the brown lid / tan body model, first of the turbo fan series, 17 years old maybe.
There are 2 connections to the main control unit.
First is maybe a 4/6 wire which goes to the on/off/temp control knob.
The second is the 2 wire which is the thermistor.
I did some tests a while ago and concluded the circuit board behind the control knob is knackered.