*Cool* fridge thermometer

[austinado16]

Bought one of those nifty little exterior mounted digital fridge thermometers.  Took a couple minutes to install and sure works great.  Now I can see what's going on in the fridge without opening the door and dumping all the cold it's made.  

Also gives the time and inside-camper temp.

Here's a pretty price for them.  I paid $22+sales tax locally:

http://www.rvpartscenter.com/prodselect.asp?SID=11&DID=13&CID=151

[curryp]

Thanks for sharing. The thermometer does look like a great gadget to have. As you said it avoids opening the fridge door. I  pre-cool the fridge electrically in the yard before heading out. This thermometer will avoid me having to crawl in the PUP when the  roof is down to be sure the fridge is cooling.

I'll be looking to buy one locally. The cost of shipping from the company at the link is almost as much as the product itself - $15.95! OUCH!

[Azusateach]

How does it install? I can't imagine/figure out how it would without messing up the seal around the door.  It would be nice to know how cold the freezer is, too (I have a HTT with separate freezer).  Would you need to have 2 units, or are there 2 sensors?

[curryp]

After you click on the link click on the picture of the thermometer. It says there is a flat sensor that runs to the refrigerator.

[austinado16]

The digital unit simply slides down into that lower/wider "tray."  The tray is stuck to the front of the fridge or a nearby cabinette, with the adhesive backing that comes on it.  Peel the paper off and stick in place.

The sender is about the size of a dime and sticks inside the fridge.  The wiring attached is a clear, thin ribbon, about the thickness of clear packing tape and it has 2 flat leads inside it.  There is a length of double sided clear mounting tape that you put between the sender's "ribbon" and the fridge wall.

I mounted mine to the front of the fridge, near the top corner on the hinge side.  Then I let the sender ribbon go into the fridge via the hinge side and stuck the sender to the wall inside the fridge about in the middle and sort of toward the back.

A watch battery slides into the digital unit from behind, by simply sliding down a little plastic door.  2 buttons on the back set the hours and minutes of the clock function.

I've had it and the fridge running all day and it was really nice to just walk in and see what the fridge was doing without opening the door, or going outside and inspecting the flame.

Regarding ordering from that site, I ordered the BAL Leveler from them last week and they only wanted $17-something for shipping on that.  I talked to the gal about their shipping price and we negotiated a lower amount.  They were very nice on the phone and I would recommend calling.  It only weighs a few ounces mounted in it's clear plastic card, so it should be able to go anywhere in the US for a basic UPS charge of about $8.  Or if you're ordering more stuff from them, then maybe that's a better time to buy it.  Otherwise, yes, you'll probably snag it locally for less.

They make one that does indoor and outdoor temps too, but maybe one of those neat little "Weather Channel" units would be more fun?

[brainpause]

Bought one of those nifty little exterior mounted digital fridge thermometers.  Took a couple minutes to install and sure works great.  Now I can see what's going on in the fridge without opening the door and dumping all the cold it's made.  

Also gives the time and inside-camper temp.

Here's a pretty price for them.  I paid $22+sales tax locally:

http://www.rvpartscenter.com/prodselect.asp?SID=11&DID=13&CID=151

Where did you get it locally? Ace? True Value?

Larry

[austinado16]

Larry, I bought it at my local RV parts place.

[AustinBoston]

I have a LaCrosse wireless indoor-outdoor temperature system at home.  Similar to this unit, but with extra sensors).  On occasion I have brought it and one of the sensors camping.  Until this moment, it never occured to me to use another sensor in the fridge.  I don't know if the wireless would work in the fridge; if there's too much metal, the signal will not get through.

It was a bit more expensive than the fridge thermometer, but I already own it, and don't need it at home while I'm away camping.  

One of the advantages of the devices I have is that they can read high and low temps, so if you are away from the camper sightseeing all day, you can know just how warm it actually got in the fridge.

Austin

[austinado16]

Now that one I like.  A barometer function would be cool too.

[zillaq]

I bought mine at Walmart for around 15 bucks.  Its wireless.

[austinado16]

Bought which, the temp station like AB has a link to, or the fridge thermometer?

[brainpause]

Saw one at Target last night for about 13 bucks. Oregon Scientific, IIRC. I didn't get it because I was in a hurry and didn't have time to ponder or look at the models surrounding it on the display.

Thanks for the idea!

Larry

[AustinBoston]

Saw one at Target last night for about 13 bucks. Oregon Scientific, IIRC.

I have owned two Oregon Scientific devices - one a weather radio, the other a digital thermometer.  I will never own another Oregon Scientific device.

Austin

[austinado16]

I have owned two Oregon Scientific devices - one a weather radio, the other a digital thermometer.  I will never own another Oregon Scientific device.

Austin

Good tip, thanks!

[brainpause]

Yes, thank you!