Refrigerators Ambient Temp Range and Control Sys
 

I've seen several sources lately that mention refrigerators cannot be kept in an ambient temperature below a certain level. The oft recited minimum for a refrigerator is 60 F. It says below these levels, the compressor will not run long enough and the air inside will be kept too warm. My confusion is, I thought the refrigerators simply sensed the internal temperature and ran the compressor until it was where it was needed.

Can anyone elucidate how a refrigerator control system works so I can understand why this minimum exists? It also exists for freezers but it is usually cited to be 0 F.

Thanks!

There is a minimum, but the reason you stated is not why. The problem is that with a typical capillary tube refrigerator, the high side must have enough pressure for it to work. At low temperatures, there won't be enough pressure. There might also be problems with the compressor oil being too thick and not allowing it to startup correctly.

To solve these problems, install a hard start kit and a compressor heater band with a thermostat. Then replace the fixed speed fan with a variable speed one (those made for PC cooling should work great) that adjusts speed depending on the temperature of the condenser.

Ah, great insight. Thank you.