Modern refrigeration units brands Stinol are famous for their reliability and functionality, however, non-standard situations may arise in the lives of owners that require changing the normal operating mode of the unit. Users often wonder whether it is possible to turn a two-chamber appliance into a single-chamber one by turning off the upper or lower freezer section. This need may be dictated by the desire to save energy, the need to increase the volume of the refrigeration compartment to store a large amount of food, or the failure of the freezing system while the main circuit is working properly.
Before you begin any manipulations with the technical device, you must clearly understand the design features of your model. Two-chamber refrigerators can have both separate compressors for each chamber, and a common cooling system with one motor-compressor. In the first case, the problem is solved relatively simply, in the second it requires complex intervention in the electrical circuit or mechanical blocking of the refrigerant supply, which is strictly not recommended to be done without professional skills.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios, explain the physical difference between models with one and two compressors, and also consider safe alternatives to complete shutdown. It is important to realize that improper interference with the operation of thermostat or the defrost system can lead to breakdown of the compressor or violation of the tightness of the circuit.
Design features of Stinol refrigerators
Brand Stinol, historically part of the Indesit concern, produced a wide range of equipment that used various cooling schemes. A key factor in determining whether a freezer can be insulated is the number of compressors. In models with one compressor refrigerant passes sequentially through the evaporator of the freezer and then the refrigerator compartment. It is almost impossible to stop circulation in one part without disrupting the operation of the entire system without resoldering the tubes and installing additional shut-off valves.
The situation changes dramatically when we are talking about models with two compressors. In such units, for example, in series Stinol 104 or Stinol 110 (in certain modifications), each cooling circuit is autonomous. Here, the freezer is controlled by its own motor, its own thermostat and its own defrost timer. Theoretically, by eliminating one of the circuit elements from the work, you can achieve your goal. However, even in this case, there are nuances of operation No Frost systemsthat may require periodic switching on of fans or heating elements, which will lead to unnecessary energy consumption.
It is also important to consider the type of control. Mechanical thermostats allow you to physically break the power circuit, while electronic control, built on microprocessor boardscan perceive the disconnection of sensors as an error and put the refrigerator into emergency mode, completely stopping operation or, conversely, turning on maximum cooling.
⚠️ Attention: In models with the Total No Frost system, turning off one of the circuits may disrupt the fan operation algorithms, which will lead to the formation of ice jams in the air ducts and failure of the main evaporator.
Models with one compressor: limitations and risks
If yours Stinol equipped with only one motor-compressor, which serves both chambers, it is impossible to turn off the freezer using standard means. The physics of the process is such that the refrigerant first boils in the evaporator of the freezer, removing heat, and only then, already heated, enters the refrigeration circuit. An attempt to shut off the supply of freon to the freezer will result in the compressor pumping gas into nowhere or through the throttle, which will cause it to overheat and quickly wear out.
Some “craftsmen” suggest installing an additional thermostat in the open circuit of the main one, so that it turns off the compressor when a certain temperature is reached in the refrigerator compartment, ignoring the readings of the standard freezer sensor. However, this approach is fraught with the fact that the temperature in the freezer compartment will rise to critical values, the products will begin to deteriorate, and the compressor operating cycles will become too short, which is harmful for the electric motor.
The only theoretical, but extremely complex and expensive way is to remake the system by installing an electromagnetic valve (solenoid) at the outlet of the evaporator freezer. This requires:
- 🛠️ Opening the sealed circuit and releasing freon.
- 🔧 Installing a valve and additional automatic control.
- ❄️ Evacuating the system and charging with new refrigerant.
The cost of such work, including materials and wages for the technician, often exceeds the cost of a used single-chamber refrigerator. In addition, any intervention in the soldering of the tubes reduces the overall reliability refrigeration circuit, increasing the risk of leakage in the future.
Why can’t you just seal the damper?
In some models with a Low Frost or partial No Frost system, air is pumped by a fan from freezers into the refrigerator compartment. Theoretically, by blocking the channel, the chambers can be isolated. However, the fan will continue to circulate cold air inside the freezer, the evaporator will freeze, and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment will no longer be maintained at the desired level, since the temperature sensor located in the refrigerator compartment will not sense the cold. data-i="81">we had better luck with two compressors. In such devices, the electrical circuits are separated, and each motor operates independently. To turn off the freezer, you need to find and break the power circuit of the upper (or lower, depending on the layout) compressor. Typically, thermostats or electronic modules in such models are located in different niches or have separate terminal blocks.
Disabling the freezer in two-compressor models
For refrigerator owners Stinol I had better luck with two compressors. In such devices, the electrical circuits are separated, and each motor operates independently. To turn off the freezer, you need to find and break the power circuit of the upper (or lower, depending on the layout) compressor. Typically, thermostats or electronic modules in such models are located in different niches or have separate terminal blocks.
The shutdown process in mechanical models is as follows. You need to get to the thermostat responsible for the freezer. It is usually located inside the camera or behind the back panel. By disconnecting the wires from the thermostat contacts, you will break the circuit. However, you can’t just leave the wires hanging - they need to be insulated. Moreover, if there is a starting relay in the circuit, then it is better to make a break in front of it in order to eliminate the risk of a short circuit or accidental switching on.
In electronic models, everything is more complicated. Here the control is via the board, and the physical disconnection of the temperature sensor can be regarded by the controller as a malfunction. In some cases, installing a resistance simulator helps, but this requires knowledge in radio electronics. The easiest way, if the design allows, is to turn off the power supply of the freezer compressor itself, finding it on the motor housing.
☑️ Checklist before turning off the compressor
Do not forget that even with the compressor turned off, other elements may remain active in the camera, for example Defrost heating element or a light bulb. The lamp can be unscrewed, but with a heating element it is more difficult - if it is connected to a common circuit with the compressor via a timer, then when the engine stops, nothing will heat up. If the circuit is independent, additional intervention may be required.
Alternative ways to use space
If your goal is not to save electricity, but to obtain more volume for storing food at above-zero temperatures, there are more gentle methods. Many users simply set the thermostat of the refrigerator compartment to minimum, and put an additional thermostat in the freezer, but, as we found out, in single-compressor models this will not completely turn off the freezing, it will only increase the temperature.
A more effective way is to use the freezer space as an additional refrigeration compartment in the winter or in cool rooms. To do this, you don’t have to close the freezer door tightly, using a wedge, or open it periodically. However, this will lead to increased work of the compressor, as it will try to increase the temperature in the main chamber, receiving warm air from the slightly open freezer.
There is a “thermal ballast” method. If you want the freezer to be about +5...+8 degrees, you can place containers of water there. Water has a high heat capacity and will smooth out temperature changes, preventing the air from cooling to subzero values too quickly. But this will not turn off the freezer, but will only change its temperature regime towards an increase, which may not be enough for storing some types of products that require strictly refrigeration mode.
⚠️ Attention: Storing perishable products (meat, fish, dairy products) at temperatures above +4°C for a long time is dangerous to health. Do not use a former freezer as the main fridge compartment without monitoring the temperature with a thermometer.
Technical nuances and compatibility table
When deciding to turn off the freezer, it is important to consider not only the number of compressors, but also the type of refrigerant, as well as the design of the evaporator. In models Stinol with a system Low Frost or drip defrosting system, the evaporator is often hidden behind the back wall of the freezer. Disruption of heat exchange in this zone (for example, if the chamber is constantly open or filled with warm products) can lead to the fact that the main evaporator of the refrigeration compartment will no longer receive the necessary cooling capacity.
Below is a table systematizing the shutdown options depending on the type of model:
| Model type Stinol | Number of compressors | Possibility of shutdown | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (drip) | 1 | Impossible without altering the circuit | High (compressor breakdown) |
| No Frost | 1 | Impossible (air circulation will be disrupted) | Critical (icing of channels) |
| Double-engine (mechanics) | 2 | Possible (broken thermostat circuit) | Medium (needs wire insulation) |
| Double-engine (electronics) | 2 | Difficult (you need to deceive the board) |