Fridge Temperature

Been reading a bit about fridge temperatures for 12V fridges.  seems that maybe the temp gauges are not particularly accurate.
got my fridge set at 2C but I don't think it's getting down to that level even tho the readout says it is.  
I also don't want to do any rewiring for an internal temp gauge.  so has anyone used a small internal gauge to see what the difference is.

get yaself one of these cliff.

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pretty easy to wire up and very accurate and they save power.
else just get a digital thermometer probe like this

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i use the stc1000, you can also get them in 12v or 240v versions

Cliff, We use a Engel remote temp gauge to monitor from the cab for our 39L we use as a freezer on the back of the ute.
The sender lays on the frozen food and the remote wireless receiver is velcroed to the console for easy viewing at any time while travelling.
Have another I bought from BCF (not sure of brand) this has a sender which is wired to a remote readout attached to the 3 way fridge in the van. Also has a wireless readout that is situated next to the Engel one in the vehicle.
Very handy for keeping the temps right.

Cheers
Peter

thanks for the feedback guys. just wondering, if I've got the fridge in the back of the ute, how good would the wireless gauge be ?
and is there something on ebay that you've seen and can recommend.
might have to drop the fridge down to zero and see if it freezes the beer, I'm not worried about food as it takes up too much room

found this one by Companion--brought one from Auto Pro $37.
if it doesn't produce the goods I just give it back and they replace it--

The one I have got is playing up---not picking up the sensor.
followed the instructions, mind u I couldn't find my reading glasses but will see what happens in the morning when I go back and check it

they suggest lithium batteries for the freezer sensor...AAA (skinny batteries)



regards
oneday

martinjsto wrote:get yaself one of these cliff.

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pretty easy to wire up and very accurate and they save power.
else just get a digital thermometer probe like this

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i use the stc1000, you can also get them in 12v or 240v versions

Martin how does this communicate with the fridge? We have a 24V 200L Nova Kool upright fridge. Also have 12V available.

This is a tried and proven model;
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And this one, identical to the Engel one.

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*****ALWAYS fit the BATTERIES in the SMALLER SEND UNIT FIRST , as otherwise the receiver ( larger display unit ) will not pick up the temperature signal and leave you with outside temperature, clock but a blank temperature display. ****

SOME ARTICLES I HAVE READ suggest that u place the sender unit in a plastic sealed bag when u place it in the fridge or freezer. keeps it clean and moisture free.

regards
oneday

seems this subject about fridge temperatures gets around a but.  found this on a 4x4 forum.
I did ask Uncle Ray but he bit my head off when I asked.  the grumpy OLD SOD  

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brought 2 of these units..
befor u leave the store --make sure they work---just saves u some time going back if it is shot.

batteries in the receiver on first then the smaller sender unit.
make sure u have everything working on the receiver unit--the bigger one.

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when not in use disarm the battery.

regards
oneday

That's interesting Ray, all the other brands say to put the batteries in sender first then the receiver.

Cheers

the instructions are written on the back of the receiver--to b sure--yep complete opposite of what others may say.
The companion and ironman are exactly the same just rebranded.
as I said the first one I got never worked so they replaced it.
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one thing I did notice was that when I brought the receiver inside the house it lost contact with the sender unit in the fridge..
30' from the car. went out and got the sender unit--disconnected the batteries from both--waited 5 minutes and then reinstated the batteries back in the receiver then the sender and bobs yah uncle again.

So if u r looking for something to work in yah van and transmit to your vehicle then u might have to invest with a decent unit.

the other problem u will have with these units is that if u leave your van behind and take the receiver with u on a sight seeing drive then u will have to reset the whole system again--remove the receiver and leave it next to the fridge in the van.

regards
oneday

Have the "Two Zone" (my above post) model receiver in the ute and the second readout next to van fridge, the wired sender is fed through hinge side of door into fridge compartment.
When we drive away from van obviously the signal is lost, however as soon as we are back near the van the signal automatically reactivates.
While travelling with van attached the fridge is constantly monitored.
While we are in the van a quick glance also shows the state of cooling.

Well for a few days I've been running a bit of an experiment with the fridge. I've been using 2 different types of temp gauges.
no:1. internal fridge temp gauge, no cables or wires
no:2. wired temp sensor that sits inside the fridge with the readout unit being external.

I reset the temp on the fridge down to 0c, when the fridge compressor stops, the readout on the fridge shows -1c
sensor no:1 shows 5c
sensor no:2 shows between 2.9 to 3.1c

to double check temp gauge no:1, I put it in the kitchen fridge. it shows a constant 3c and anything from the kitchen fridge is cold, including the beer.

I can only assume without taking it to a refridgeration mob, regardless of how many different types of temp sensors/gauges I use, there is going to be a difference so ya gotta ask, which temp gauge is showing the correct temperature.
The fridge is still sitting in my loungeroom and I've taken it off 240V and switched to the 100ah battery to see what the lower temp does to the battery running time. I've purposely not turned on my aircon so the temp inside the house ranges from 28 to 35c (that means more cold beer consumption )
I've fired off a message to the fridge makers for their input. it'll be interesting to see what they say.

Just got an answer back from the fridge manufacturer.
they say the temp read out on the fridge is quite accurate BUT it will have a +/-2c variation in temperature.
I wouldn't call that "quite accurate" so the fridge stays set at 0c and it's a lot better.
I guess if Engel put a temp notice on their fridges stating the read out is only a guide, then thats good enuff for me.

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THE difference on 2.c on cold beers in winter is not worth worrying about.
That goes for summer as well.

god help us.

PTP
oneday

oneday wrote:THE difference on 2.c on cold beers in winter is not worth worrying about. That goes for summer as well.

god help us. PTP  oneday

not true, they have to be icey cold in winter and summer   

Hey Cliff,
All digital temp controllers have a calibration parameter, the only problem is you need the instructions to get into the programming
Maybe you can find out from Engel, if you can't, then you need a controller like Martin has got
The simplest way is reference it with a thermometer you know is accurate, like you have and allow for the difference in your fridge temp setting

Hi Mr Cloggs,
I'm not really all that fussed now, with the fridge set at 0c, it's a lot better.  the manufacturers tell me that the temp sensors/thermostats or what ever you call them, are under neath the fridge floor.
so to me, it is not reading the correct internal temp, only what it is picking up on the bottom.  the other temp gauges I was using, were placed so they were in the middle, so I guess thats why there was a variation in the internal temperatures.
Trial and error I guess until you get your fridge to get the beer cold to your liking. Yes beer, bugger the food, it takes up too much room