VF-63 Thermostat Question

[JDAugie]

I've gotten my VF-63 up and running and let it run for a few hours last night to test it out.  The inside temp got down to around 20 deg. What is the recommended temp for a soda machine? I don't think it should be below freezing. I see the thermostat, looks like I need to use a screwdriver to adjust it. Which way do I turn the thermostat to make the temp higher? There are no markings, I can experiment, but thought someone here would know.

[collecture]

John,
There is usually a small line pressed into the metal T-stat mount. This line usually represents "OFF" - If you turn the T-stat fully one direction (I think counterclockwise), you should hear and/or feel it "click" and it should turn the compressor and condenser fan off. The farther you turn the T-stat in the other direction (I think clockwise), the T-stat will cut-out at a lower temperature; however, the cut-in temperature stays the same. Some T-stats allow you cut adjust the cut-in and cut-out temps, but the cut-in temp should never be below 34.5 degrees as the evaporator needs to defrost between cycles..
One of my manuals says factory settings for a Cutler-Hammer Temp Control was 25 & 37 degrees.

[JDAugie]

Doesn't the soda freeze at 25deg? What if I put water bottles in the machine? I would think the temp should be in the mid to upper 30s like a refrigerator. 

[Kilroy]

My personal  preference is  36-38 Fahrenheit (2-3 Celsius), below 32 yes, the beverage could freeze and the cleanup is a mess since you are also dealing with frozen pop and broken glass.

[collecture]

Doesn't the soda freeze at 25deg? What if I put water bottles in the machine? I would think the temp should be in the mid to upper 30s like a refrigerator.  

You would think!
But I had my machine (with that T-stat setting) running for about two months recently. When I shut it down, I had one frozen water bottle (out of about 10 left); however, no one got their water from that machine regularly so that doesn't surprise me.  I never got a frozen beer, water or soda from it in those two months, but they were ice cold.

Here is a scan of a page of the manual indicating that setting #1 should cycle between 25 & 37 degrees F. - setting #9 would take it down to 1.5 degrees F.

[JDAugie]

That looks similar to the Tstat in my USS-8-64.  The one in the VF-63 only has a screwdriver slot.  I think I'll try and set it in the mid 30s if I don't have to turn it up too much.  My kids don't drink soda (or beer yet, I hope), they don't like the carbonation,  so I'm going to stock some juice and maybe tea in cans, plus some soda and beer for me. I keep the water bottles in the USS, since the VF only takes cans.

[mznb1u]

I have the T-Stat in my USS-8-64 set at 1 out of 10 and that keeps it right around 32 degrees.  Of course the machine is inside so the exterior temperature of the cabinet is pretty consistent.  I think if I set it any lower, I would have issues with freezing.  You have to remember that these machines were designed to be outside and possibly in the direct sunlight on a hot day.  That would require a lower setting to keep the contents cold.

  Tim

[rcat8872]

One question on this subject... 
I use a lazer type thermometer to check the temp inside my machine.  I shoot the lazer beam inside the machine to get a reading.  Is that an accurate way to check the temp or should I use another type of thermometer?  The reading I usually get is between 28 to 32 degrees...never had any freezing problems.
Rod

[mznb1u]

I just use a food thermometer that I used to check temperatures when I was a manager at Wendy's.

  Tim

[bubba]

The infrared thermometers are not recommended for use on shiny surfaces. I used a cup of water and a thermometer in it. Let it run for 24 hrs to stabilize to get real accurate for homebrewing. Just to see where it is at, I use a refrigeration thermometer from an autoparts store.