SMC Discussion Areas

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

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

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

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

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.

Come to think of it, I actually use my homebrewing thermometer as well!  It is just very similar to the ones used in the restaurant industry for checking temps on various items.  Mine is like the one in the picture.

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

PS--Bubba--do nay brewing lately?  I am about to transfer a batch over to secondary fermentation.  Trying to duplicate Lienenkugel Summer Shandy.  We'll see how it turns out.

I've got a Stella Clone lagering right now. Should be ready to bottle at my next available time, which they way things are going right now, may be June. I just ordered 2 more kits.. I start out the summers with a watermelon wheat and a good old summer ale. My stock pile is gone and I seem to have lost some interest lately.. I think the whole bottling process is really killing me. Time to start looking into Kegging I think.

Just a thought, remember to calibrate your thermometers once in awhile.