Owners of refrigeration equipment Stinol, produced in the 90s and early 2000s, are often faced with the need to manually adjust temperature conditions. These models, such as Stinol 103 or Stinol 104, are equipped with mechanical thermostats that may lose calibration over time or require intervention after replacing parts. Understanding the operating principle of these components allows you to extend the life of the unit without expensive servicing.
The main difficulty is that there are no digital degrees on the regulator knob, but only conventional divisions from 1 to 5 or 6. Thermostat reacts not to the absolute temperature, but to the difference in heating and cooling of the evaporator. Incorrect setting can lead either to spoilage of products due to insufficient cold, or to the formation of an ice coat and overload of the compressor.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for fine tuning, consider typical sensor malfunctions and provide a table of correspondence between knob positions and real temperature indicators. It is important to approach the process consistently, since the inertia of the system is high, and the result of the adjustment is not immediately visible.
The principle of operation of a mechanical thermostat
The heart of the cooling system in older models Stinol is a mechanical thermostat, often labeled as TAM-133 or K-59. Inside the device there is a bellows tube filled with freon gas, which reacts to changes in temperature in the refrigeration chamber. When you turn the knob, you change the tension of the spring, which shifts the moment at which the electrical contacts close or open.
When a given threshold is reached, the contacts open and compressor turns off. The chamber begins to heat up, the gas in the bellows expands, and when the upper limit is reached, the contacts close again, starting the cooling cycle. In old refrigerators, this process is completely devoid of electronics, which makes the system reliable, but dependent on the physical state of the springs and the tightness of the tube.
It is worth noting that thermostats in single-compressor models control only the refrigerator compartment. The freezer is cooled according to the residual principle, so when adjusting it is important not to overdo it, so as not to freeze the food on the top shelf, trying to cool the freezer more.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work related to access to electrical components, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the mains. Even short-term contact with exposed 220V wires can be life-threatening.
How does a thermostat differential work?
The differential is the temperature difference between turning the compressor on and off. In older Stinol models it can range from 4 to 7 degrees. If the differential is too large, the products may have time to thaw during the idle cycle.
Location and design of the regulator in different models
Depending on the specific modification, the temperature control may be located in different places. In classic two-chamber models Stinol 101 i 102 the thermostat is usually hidden inside the refrigerator compartment, in the upper right corner, often under a plastic casing or directly on the wall. The knob has a scale from 0 to 6, where 0 is complete shutdown, and 6 is maximum cooling.
In models with a system No Frost (for example, Stinol 104 or 205), the regulator is often combined with a defrost button or placed on the front panel in the form rotary switch. It is important here not to confuse the temperature control with the defrost timer, although in mechanical versions they are usually separated functionally.
If you see a knob labeled “Min” and “Max”, then the logic remains the same: turning counterclockwise reduces the cold, turning clockwise increases it. However, in some modifications, the scale may be inverted or have only digital designations without text signatures, which requires care during initial setup.
Step-by-step instructions for setting the temperature
The adjustment process requires patience and the presence of an external thermometer, since relying only on the “cold/warm” sensations is ineffective. First, defrost the refrigerator completely, if there is ice in it, and let it operate as normal for at least 5-6 hours. This is necessary to stabilize the heat balance.
Place a household thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf of the refrigerator. Leave it there for several hours to allow the readings to stabilize. The optimal temperature for storing food is from +2 to +5 degrees Celsius. If the thermometer shows values higher or lower, proceed with adjustment.
⚠️ Attention: Do not re-adjust earlier than 4-5 hours after the previous turn of the knob. The system must enter a new operating mode, otherwise you will ruin the settings for nothing.
☑️ Algorithm for setting the thermostat
To increase the temperature (if the chamber is too cold), turn the knob towards lower values (counterclockwise). To increase the cold, turn the knob clockwise. In models Stinol one scale division approximately corresponds to a temperature change of 2-3 degrees, so act carefully, turning the knob no more than half a division at a time.
If, after turning the knob, the compressor does not turn off for a long time (more than 2 hours) or, conversely, operates in too short cycles, the thermostat may be faulty or has lost the tightness of the sensitive tubes. In this case, mechanical adjustment will not help, you will need replacement of the part.
Table of correspondence of regulator positions and temperatures
Although each model is individual and depends on the condition of the seals and the amount of food; there are average values typical for working refrigerators Stinol of the old model. Below is a table to help you navigate the approximate operating modes.
| Handle position | Temperature in the refrigerator compartment (°C) | Compressor operating mode | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Min) | +6...+8 | Short cycles, long pauses | Winter, small amount of products |
| 3 (Average) | +3...+5 | Normal mode (30-40% of the time) | Normal daily operation |
| 5 (Max) | 0...+2 | Long operation, short pauses | Heat, full load of products |
| 6 (Super) | Below 0 (risk of freezing) | Continuous operation without shutdown | Only for quick freezing (temporary) |
Please note that position "6" or "Super" is intended for fast freezing modes and should not be used permanently. Long-term operation in this mode leads to freezing of the evaporator, overheating motor-compressor and a significant increase in energy consumption.
In winter, when the room temperature drops below +16 degrees, even position "1" may be excessive for the refrigerator compartment, but insufficient for freezer In such conditions, old models may not work correctly due to changes in oil viscosity and freon properties.
Typical problems and methods for eliminating them
One of the common problems of old Stinol is “sticking” of the thermostat contacts or loss of sensitivity of the bellows. If the refrigerator stops turning off and the temperature inside drops below zero, most likely the contacts are “welded” or the spring is weakened. In this case, adjusting the handle will not work - the unit will thresh constantly.
The opposite situation: the compressor does not turn on at all or works in very short intervals, not having time to cool the chamber to the required values. This may indicate a freon leak from the thermostat bellows tube or that the tube has shifted and does not fit tightly to the evaporator. Checking the thermostat with a multimeter: remove the terminals from the thermostat and ring its contacts. At room temperature they should be closed (the multimeter beeps). If you put the sensor in the freezer for 15 minutes, the circuit should break. evaporator.
It is also worth checking the condition of the capillary tube. If it has creases or damage, the thermostat will show incorrect data. In some cases, careful straightening of the tube helps, but most often a complete replacement of the assembly with an analogue is required, for example TAM-133.
⚠️ Attention: If you see traces of oil or hear hissing in the area of the thermostat, this may indicate depressurization of the system. In this case, independent repair is not recommended; you need to call a specialist with equipment for vacuuming and filling.
The influence of external factors on the temperature regime
Do not forget that the thermostat settings directly depend on environmental conditions. If the refrigerator Stinol is located near a stove, a radiator, or in direct sunlight, the standard settings may not be enough. The compressor will be forced to work hard, trying to compensate for the external heat influx.
The loading density of the chambers also plays a role. An empty refrigerator cools down faster, but it also heats up faster from the external environment. A full load stabilizes the temperature, acting as a cold accumulator, but requires initial freezing time. Try to keep the refrigerator at least half full, using water bottles if there is little food.
The condition of the rubber seals on the doors is a critical factor. If the rubber has dried out, lost elasticity or become dirty, the cold will go away and warm air will come in. In this case, no matter how much you turn the thermostat knob, you will not be able to achieve the ideal temperature. Wash the seals regularly and check their fit.
How to check the seal?
Pinch a sheet of paper with the refrigerator door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out easily without resistance around the entire perimeter, the seal requires replacement or restoration.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Stinol refrigerator work constantly and does not turn off?
Most often this indicates a malfunction of the thermostat (the contacts do not open), a leak freon or a leak in the housing. Also, the reason may be that the handle is set to the "Max" or "Super" position for a long time.
Is it possible to replace a Stinol thermostat with an analogue from another brand?
Yes, mechanical thermostats are often interchangeable. The main thing is that the length of the capillary tube, the type of contacts and the method of fastening match. Popular analogues are series models TAM (Italy) or K (Danfoss).
What to do if it is too cold in the refrigerator compartment and warm in the freezer?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the defrost system (clogged melt water drainage channel) or a freon leak. In single-compressor models, the cold is distributed unevenly if there is a lack of refrigerant: first the beginning of the circuit (refrigerator compartment) freezes, and freon does not reach the freezer in the required volume.
How often do you need to defrost an old Stinol refrigerator?
Models with manual defrosting require disconnecting from the network and defrosting when formation of an ice crust 3-5 mm thick. This usually happens once every 3-6 months, depending on the humidity in the room and the frequency of opening the doors.