Owners of classic two-chamber refrigerators Stinol, produced in the 90s and early 2000s, are often faced with the need to manually adjust the operating mode. Unlike modern electronic systems, where the temperature is set with an accuracy of a degree, older models are equipped with mechanical thermostats. Understanding the principle of their operation is the key to proper food preservation and energy saving.
Your task is to find a balance in which food does not lose its properties in the freezer compartment, and an ice crust does not form on the back wall in the refrigerator compartment. Mechanical thermostat reacts to changes in temperature inside the evaporator, opening or closing the electrical circuit. Incorrect settings can lead to rapid spoilage of food or failure of the compressor due to constant overloads.
Before turning the regulator knob, it is important to assess the current situation. Is the food in the freezer covered with a thick layer of frost? Are the vegetables in the bottom drawer starting to freeze? Or, on the contrary, does the milk quickly turn sour? The answers to these questions will help determine in which direction to shift the settings thermostat. In this article we will analyze in detail the structure of old models and give clear recommendations.
Design of a mechanical thermostat Stinol
In old two-chamber models Stinol (series 101, 102, 103, 104, 116, 118) a capillary thermostat is used. This device is a tube filled with gas or liquid that responds to thermal expansion. The end of this tube, called sensing element, is mounted on the evaporator of the refrigerator compartment or mounted in the wall.
When you turn the knob on the control panel, you change the tension of the spring inside the mechanism. This tension determines the force that the sensing element must exert to break the contacts and stop the compressor. The tighter the spring is, the lower the temperature must drop for the compressor to turn off.
It is important to understand that in such models there is often one thermostat that controls the temperature only in the refrigerator compartment. The freezer compartment is cooled according to the residual principle: cold air from the freezer goes down, and warm air from the refrigerator compartment rises up. Therefore, the adjustment primarily affects the upper compartment.
⚠️ Attention: Mechanical thermostats wear out over time. The spring may weaken and the contacts may burn. If the knob turns too easily, without a characteristic click, or the refrigerator stops turning on at all, the thermostat itself may need to be replaced.
Deciphering the adjustment scale and symbols
On the control panel of old refrigerators Stinol you will rarely see numbers indicating degrees Celsius. Usually there is a scale from 1 to 5, from 1 to 7 or even from Min to Max. Users often mistakenly believe that number 1 is the coldest mode, but in mechanics the opposite is true.
The numbers on the regulator indicate cooling intensitynot the temperature. One means the minimum power of the compressor (heat), and the maximum number (5 or 7) means the maximum power (cold). The “0” or “Off” position completely opens the circuit and turns off the power to the compressor.
For standard operating conditions in summer, the optimal position is between 2 and 3. In winter, when the apartment is cool, you can set the regulator to 1 or 2. If the room is very hot, you can switch to 4, but always keep the equipment at maximum not recommended.
Step-by-step instructions for setting the temperature
Adjusting the temperature is not an instantaneous process. After each turn of the handle, the refrigerator takes time to reach a new operating mode. Thermal stabilization takes from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the load of the chambers and the ambient temperature.
First, assess the current condition of the products. If a “snow coat” builds up on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment and food freezes, it means the temperature is too low. You need to reduce the cooling power. Turn the regulator knob towards lower values (for example, from 4 to 3).
If the food in the refrigerator quickly deteriorates, and the ice cream melts in the freezer, you need to add power. Smoothly turn the knob towards the larger numbers. Do not make sudden jumps to the maximum immediately, this will create an extra load on the compressor.
☑️ Algorithm for setting the thermostat
For accurate diagnostics, use a regular household thermometer. Place it in a glass of water and place it on the middle shelf of the refrigerator, away from the walls. After a few hours you will see the real temperature, which should be in the range from +2 to +4 °C.
The influence of seasonality and chamber loading
The room temperature directly affects the operation of the old refrigerator. In summer, when the apartment is +25 °C or higher, heat exchange is difficult. The compressor has to work longer to reach the set temperature. During this period, it may be necessary to set the regulator to higher values, but make sure that it does not work without stopping.
In winter, the situation changes. If the room is cool, the refrigerator requires less effort to cool. If you leave the control on summer settings, food in the refrigerator compartment may begin to freeze. In winter, it is optimal to set the knob to values 1-2.
The loading of the chambers also plays a role. A full refrigerator keeps the cold longer, as food acts as heat accumulator. An empty refrigerator heats up faster when the door is opened. If you have loaded the freezer with a large amount of fresh food, you can temporarily increase the power and then return the regulator to the normal position.
| Season / Conditions | Room temperature | Recommended position regulator | Expected operating mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (hot) | +25...+30 °C | 3 - 4 | The compressor works more often, the cycles are longer |
| Off-season | +18...+22 °C | 2 - 3 | Standard cycle (15 min operation / 30 min rest) |
| Winter (heating) | +20...+23 °C | 2 - 3 | Standard cycle |
| Winter (cold) | +16...+18 °C | 1 - 2 | Short operating cycles, risk of food freezing |
Typical errors when using the old one equipment
One of the most common mistakes is setting the regulator to the maximum value (5 or 7) in the hope of freezing food or cooling drinks faster. This critical error. The compressor will work continuously, trying to reach a limit that is unattainable for this mode, which will lead to its overheating and eventual breakdown.
Another error is ignoring the condition of the seals. If the rubber on the door has become old and allows warm air to pass through, the refrigerator will work in increased mode regardless of the position of the thermostat knob. In this case, adjusting the temperature will not work until the cause of the heat is eliminated.
Frequently opening the door and placing hot foods inside also disrupts the settings. The thermostat reacts to a sharp rise in temperature and turns on the motor at full power. Try to cool food to room temperature before loading it into Stinol.
⚠️ Attention: Never set the control to the "Max" position for a long time. This is the “Super Freeze” mode, which is intended only for quick freezing of fresh food for 2-4 hours, after which it must be returned to its working position.
Diagnostics of thermostat malfunctions
If you notice that the refrigerator stops turning off and runs for days, or, conversely, remains silent for hours until the food spoils, the problem may be in the thermostat. In older models Stinol a situation often occurs when the contacts inside the relay “stick” or oxidize.
You can check the serviceability by excluding other factors. Make sure the door closes tightly and there is air circulation around the condenser (the grille at the back). If the equipment is working properly, but the operating mode does not change when you turn the handle, most likely the capillary tube lost seal or the mechanism itself has failed.
Sometimes a simple procedure helps: completely defrost the refrigerator (turn it off for 24 hours), and then turn it on again. This can “revive” a jammed mechanism. If the problem recurs, you will need to call a technician to replace the thermostat.
Is it possible to replace the thermostat yourself?
Replacing the thermostat in Stinol requires disassembling the plastic panel, removing the handle, disconnecting the electrical contacts and, most importantly, carefully installing a new capillary tube in the seat. An error when installing the tube (insufficient contact with the evaporator) will lead to incorrect operation. If you do not have experience, it is better to entrust this to a professional.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why is there Stinol in the refrigerator compartment Is ice freezing on the back wall?
This may indicate that the set temperature is too low (knob at 4-5). The cause could also be a malfunction of the defrost sensor or a door that is not tightly closed, which allows moist air to get inside. Try reducing the cooling power.
What does a flashing light or red indicator on the panel mean?
In older models Stinol there is often just a power light. If it flashes or lights up red (in models with an indication), this is an alarm about an increase in the temperature inside the chambers. Check whether the door is tightly closed and whether the compressor is working.
How often do you need to defrost the old two-chamber Stinol?
Despite the presence of the No Frost system in the freezer (in some models of the 100 series), the refrigerator compartment usually requires manual defrosting. It is recommended to carry out this procedure every 3-6 months, or when the thickness of the ice on the back wall exceeds 5 mm.
Can old Stinol be used in an unheated dacha in winter?
It is strictly not recommended. The oil in the compressor thickens at low temperatures, which will lead to failure when starting. In addition, the refrigerant may not circulate properly. The minimum operating temperature is usually +10 °C.
Why does the refrigerator click loudly before turning on?
This is normal operation of the start relay and thermostat. A click means that the contacts have closed and current is flowing to the compressor. If there are a lot of clicks, but the motor does not start, the compressor may be jammed or the start relay has burned out.