The best way to determine a meaningful diagnosis is to fit a temperature recorder for 24 to 48 hours.
The curve clearly illustrates the average temperature and the corresponding fluctuations linked to the shut-down and start-up periods of the compressor or winter system (refer to the section on the winter system).
Also place a submersible thermometer in a bottle filled with water to determine the exact temperature of the liquid.
This enables the explanatory drawings below to be illustrated precisely.
In all cases, where the winter system is implemented, the element located at the bottom of the device generates a light mixture within the chamber, which momentarily eliminates the usual
separation between the various temperatures thanks to a natural convection phenomenon (hot air is lighter than cold air). As soon as the compressor generates cold air, the separation between the temperatures returns naturally.
5. Operating principles: winter system
This system enables any temperature fluctuations resulting from a severe winter to be compensated in an unheated environment that most importantly is frost protected. If the unit is not frost protected, the element does not have enough power to fight the incoming cold.
In all cases, where the winter system is implemented, the element located at the bottom of the device generates a light mixture within the chamber, which momentarily eliminates the usual
separation between the various temperatures in multi-purpose models thanks to a natural convection phenomenon (hot air is lighter than cold air).
The system comprises a thermostat that is preset at the factory, a sensor which depending on the model is located below the top panel of the device, on the outside (on the rear of the device) or even on the inside, and a heating element inserted in the foam below the start-up compressor or glued behind the vaporizer (on multi-purpose models) in the internal tank.
The winter system will start up as soon as the ambient temperature recorded by the sensor at the top of the device reaches around 8°C (preset at the factory). On models equipped with Intelitherm as well as DIVA models, the setting is controlled electronically by the customer.
The element will then gradually reheat the inside of the cabinet to restore it to a value close to 12°C
(+/-2°C) even before the heat exchange affects the content of the bottles.
MT-01 Indice 0 Page 8
Minimum application temperature: +0°C.
Assuming that a wine cabinet is subjected to such extreme temperatures, the winter system will work although it does not have enough power to compensate for extremely cold ambient temperatures.
Compressor operating Compressor and winter system not operating
Compressor stops the operation of the winter system
At 25°C, the device is regulated by normal refrigeration.
Reheating in progress Return to 12°C +/-2°C
At an ambient temperature of 10°C, the production of hot or cold air is not required.
At an ambient temperature of 8°C and below, the drop in the ambient temperature will change the thermal balance of the air in the cabinet, although this will be significantly delayed by the insulator.
The display therefore indicates the temperature of the air in the cabinet, which does not include the thermal inertia. The temperature of the bottles remains the same despite the recorded fluctuations.
Fluctuations can be recorded according to the length of the exposure to the cold.
If the reduction of the ambient temperature continues, the winter system will start up and begin compensating for the drop in temperature. The internal reheating process is now in progress and will slowly increase the temperature.
If the temperature shown on the display does not match the operator's expectations, this is perfectly normal! Although the air temperature in the wine cabinet drops, the winter system increases the temperature before a heat exchange with the contents of the bottles is even possible.
To illustrate this, anybody stood at the side of a swimming pool, whether it has an ambient temperature of +35°C or +18°C will touch the water before diving in, simply because the air temperature at a given moment (T) does not determine the temperature of the water as a mass.
In the event that it may be 35°C or 18°C, the water temperature could very well be 25°C, which is often the case.
MT-01 Indice 0 Page 9
Always remember the concept of thermal inertia.
Ambient temperature
Air temperature in the cabinet
Increase in temperature before any heat is exchanged with the bottle
Start-up of the winter system
The conditions of the bottle can also be illustrated in a diagram in the event of a disturbance to the ambient temperature.
The temperature log below was completed in an air-conditioned room to provide an overview of the minimal "impact" an extreme change in the ambient temperature (drop from 30°C) would have on the content of the bottle (impossible in reality).
MT-01 Indice 0 Page 10
