Temperature Data Logging, fridge, freezer, coach, etc..

Maybe a more relevant test would be to put a couple of six packs of room temperature beer or soda into a refrigerator and see how long it takes to cool them.

JimK-NY wrote:
Maybe a more relevant test would be to put a couple of six packs of room temperature beer or soda into a refrigerator and see how long it takes to cool them.

Correct. You put a glass of water in the refer. You run the refer 24 hours on max cold. Then you take a temp reading of the water. This will give you the state of the condition of the refer and its cooling capacity. Doug

You don’t think there’s anything to learn from 4-5 days of real-time operational data? If you were monitoring your fridge with a unit like this and became familiar with what “normal” looks like, you could spot a problem before it became an emergency.

Cool down time, cycle frequency, cycle length, high and low temps, and the ability to compare this data to ambient temps is all something a glass of water can’t do. I seriously doubt a sick cooling unit could produce those same plots.

If you were logging data from a temperature probe in a glass of water in the fridge, you would see the initial cool down time take longer, but then you would see very little change in the temperature of the water once the cooling unit started cycling. You wouldn’t be able to see the high and low points nearly as well, and the water temperature would always lag behind what the cooling unit was doing. A glass of water also isn’t going to tell you about an intermittent problem that occurred several hours before you took its temperature.

:):)

NRALIFR wrote:
You don’t think there’s anything to learn from 4-5 days of real-time operational data? If you were monitoring your fridge with a unit like this and became familiar with what “normal” looks like, you could spot a problem before it became an emergency.

Cool down time, cycle frequency, cycle length, high and low temps, and the ability to compare this data to ambient temps is all something a glass of water can’t do. I seriously doubt a sick cooling unit could produce those same plots.

If you were logging data from a temperature probe in a glass of water in the fridge, you would see the initial cool down time take longer, but then you would see very little change in the temperature of the water once the cooling unit started cycling. You wouldn’t be able to see the high and low points nearly as well, and the water temperature would always lag behind what the cooling unit was doing. A glass of water also isn’t going to tell you about an intermittent problem that occurred several hours before you took its temperature.

:):)

MY Temp logger is NOT in a glass of water. It takes the complete interior lower box temp every 15 minutes. It lays on one of the shelfs. I mentioned the glass of water for those that want to see the CORRECT way to determine the inside temp of an RV refer. NOT for intermittent problems. Doug

As long as we're talking about data logging in RVs...

I use a wireless monitor system that logs data every 5 minutes with multiple wireless temperature sensors (fridge, freezer, Indoor, Outdoor, Wet bay) and also battery volts, amps, watts and state of charge. I can see my RV temperatures and battery data over the internet and get email alerts if I want.

RV Whisper monitor system

pricing

They are working on adding wireless propane sensors. shore power monitoring and door open/close sensors.

All kinds of cool stuff I don't need, but can't resist. Actually, I really like knowing my dog is not overheating when I have to leaver her behind for a few hours. And when I camp without electricity for a week it is nice to be able to see how my solar system recharged my batteries (or not) every day.

eb145 wrote:
As long as we're talking about data logging in RVs...

I use a wireless monitor system that logs data every 5 minutes with multiple wireless temperature sensors (fridge, freezer, Indoor, Outdoor, Wet bay) and also battery volts, amps, watts and state of charge. I can see my RV temperatures and battery data over the internet and get email alerts if I want.

RV Whisper monitor system

pricing

They are working on adding wireless propane sensors. shore power monitoring and door open/close sensors.

All kinds of cool stuff I don't need, but can't resist. Actually, I really like knowing my dog is not overheating when I have to leaver her behind for a few hours. And when I camp without electricity for a week it is nice to be able to see how my solar system recharged my batteries (or not) every day.

Yeah, i cant resist either...
Sensor push dataloggers,
Mopeka tank check wireless propane tank sensors
Battery tender WiFi battery monitor
LevelMatePRO wireless level
Tire minder wireless tire pressure monitor
Wireless backup camera

That’s just the wireless stuff, lol. I guess I’m just a super geek.

Dang both those devices look awesome. Is anyone aware of other RV monitoring systems?

Was thinking of getting two of the little blue $50 sensors. But then the RV whisper looks really interesting as well. How does it work if you have Wifi at your RV then you can view stats with your cell phone while away?

edit: Nevermind i see it needs wifi. Has anyone tested how many watts it uses? Video i watched said you need to use the included cord because other cords might not have enough power. That makes me think its up at 2amps at 5v?

Well, after reading this thread I plunked down $99 and bought two of the SensorPush devices. They are now reporting the temps in my brand new 12 volt compressor fridge and freezer.

DW lost all faith in our Dometic fridge/freezer. It has never worked reliably on propane and has limited cooling capacity on 120V... Our trailer is a rear kitchen - I think the suction at the rear while driving keeps blowing the propane flame out. My DW is already paranoid about food spoilage. First time we opened the fridge and found “not cold” food after a day of travel, she lost confidence in the old fridge - i’ve been looking and finally dropped $1400 on a Unique 24V/12V off grid compressor fridge.

The addition of these sensors should provide proof that the new fridge is maintaining cold temps. Maybe we can travel with less complaining. :o

I pulled the trigger too. Went with the RV whisper unit and several temp readers.

Im curious the difference between my food cabinet storage and the trailer interior. Might try insulating a cabinet with foam board and see if that improves anything.