IF you own a freezer......

goeduck · Dec 4, 2020

My second Acurite works if I do not have it near the more dominant one. So I put it on the kitchen Fridge/Freezer. I guess I have an alpha Acurite and a submissive. :laughing:

On the good news side (I guess it should be bad news since it may mean $) is that I see my kitchen Fridge is running on the warm side with it maxed out on the setting. Freezer side is doing fine around 0F.

3Ts · Dec 4, 2020

I would check the temperature sensor by comparing it with another thermometer, I use 2 others for a total of 3. If they read the same, then you'll need to decide what to do with the fridge. If they read different I'd get a new sensor. I use a 2 out of 3 approach on the thermometers to figure out which one is off. I've found that the old red line glass tube ones are quite consistent.

Industrial Toys · Dec 4, 2020

I mounted my sensor at the rear a few inches down from the top. Intelisense Monitor with handy LED readout, connected to monitoring service.

Toruble is, I put it up high so that if the door was left ajar, possibly from the freezer being too full, the alarm would sense this quickly befor ethe whole thing thawed out.

BUT, if I mess with the freezer for more than a few minutes, or put in some large mass of refrigerated product, it goes into alarm. Doing EXACTLY what it is supposed to, but embarrassing getting calls from the station.

goeduck · Dec 5, 2020

3Ts said:
I would check the temperature sensor by comparing it with another thermometer, I use 2 others for a total of 3. If they read the same, then you'll need to decide what to do with the fridge. If they read different I'd get a new sensor. I use a 2 out of 3 approach on the thermometers to figure out which one is off. I've found that the old red line glass tube ones are quite consistent.

Turns out the wifey had put the sensor on top of a half gallon mason jar up snug to the dome light. So I think my high alarms were when the door was held open and the incandescent dome light warmed the sensor up. Now the big difference between high and low temps makes sense. Also rearranged the food for better air flow (side by side that gets refrigerator cooling from fan/damper drawing air from freezer). Reset the unit to see how the temps look now.

I really appreciate this thread, got the freezers monitored, something I kept meaning to do.

Doofy · Dec 5, 2020

goeduck said:
Turns out the wifey had put the sensor on top of a half gallon mason jar up snug to the dome light. So I think my high alarms were when the door was held open and the incandescent dome light warmed the sensor up. Now the big difference between high and low temps makes sense. Also rearranged the food for better air flow (side by side that gets refrigerator cooling from fan/damper drawing air from freezer). Reset the unit to see how the temps look now.

I really appreciate this thread, got the freezers monitored, something I kept meaning to do.

Glad to hear it. I too enjoy these forums and even though I spend a lot of time reading, I get motivated to get off top dead center and do something or try new things.

masscity · Dec 8, 2020

I've had my Accurites for several years now and like them a lot. 4 1/2 cf freezer in the house shed is -4 to -1 in the winter and -6 to -1 in the summer.

The fridge freezer is 32 to 28 above to -4 all the time. Haven't set any alarms, just check them often.

Bought them because my small freezer (Avanti) was bought in 1985 and don't know how long it has left.

I thought about buying a new one, but it might not last as long as this one. From what I hear on TBN they're all junk now.

Industrial Toys · Dec 8, 2020

Great for power outages so you can tell what's happening and if anything needs to be done.

Doofy · Dec 8, 2020

I moved my well pump outside to inside the well box (dug well). The well is heated with a 90 watt incandescent bulb and I need to know the temperature inside the well box to keep my pump from freezing and breaking. The Acu-Rite wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer has been the only brand that has worked consistently.

tallyho8 · Dec 8, 2020

My freezer safety thermometer consists of a cup of water and a nickel. I freeze the water then place the nickel on top. If I ever see the nickel in the bottom of the cup I will know that the freezer defrosted and everything is probably bad.

Jstpssng · Dec 8, 2020

tallyho8 said:
My freezer safety thermometer consists of a cup of water and a nickel. I freeze the water then place the nickel on top. If I ever see the nickel in the bottom of the cup I will know that the freezer defrosted and everything is probably bad.

If it's a self-defrosting freezer that might not be the case; it could just mean that all of your ice has been dehydrated. I know that happens when I keep ice cubes in the top part of my frig for a few months...
That also could be why my freezers don't use much energy; I won't buy one if it's self defrosting. It tends to shorten the life of your frozen goods.