Whirlpool Refrigerator

[tmmar]

I have a 20 cu ft Whirlpool residential refrigerator in my new coach. Plugged it in the other day in preparation for an upcoming trip. This is my first experience with a residential refrigerator in a coach. I purchased a 2 sensor temperature monitor since I like to keep track of the temps inside the fridge. Even though the temperatures were set on the door for 0 for the freezer and 38 for the refrigerator section (as suggested on the door) the readings were 27 in the refrigerator and 9 in the freezer. I adjusted the temps to -5 in the freezer and 45 in the refrigerator section. They now read 27 in the refrigerator and 7 in the freezer.
Does anyone know if there is a 'reboot' for the refrigerator that will 'reset' the temp monitor on the door. I called Whirlpool and they were no help. The temp is 60 in the coach.
Any ideas?
Thanks

[tmmar]

Sorry it took so long to reply but we are on the road and busy sightseeing. Also, the internet has been spotty. Seems that the 'navagator' (aka better half) might have put something over the sensors. When we moved things around in the fridge and freezer, things went to normal. Thanks to all who replied.

[DSDP_Don]

Good info from last two posts and "oldtrojan66" used a term I've been looking for when describing the difference between my new residential unit and the old Norcold, and the term is "product temp". When using my Norcold, I could get the air temp to 32-36 degrees in the refer, but the food was never really cold. My new Samsung keeps the food cold, not just the air.

I think the term "product temp" vs air temp is something people need to know/understand when they ask about the differences between the absorption and residential refers.

[tmmar]

Dale.Traveling wrote:
First I would verify the thermometer is accurate. A cup of ice water will give you 32 degrees exactly.

Second the fridge side may have over chilled trying to get down to commanded temp. Open the door and allow the temp to rise a few degrees above what the temp is set for then give the fridge time to get down to set temp and check again.

Third where you are measuring the temp will have an effect. At the vent it will be very cold just like an air conditioner. Move your thermometer to the center rack.

Since it's not an absorption fridge your best source of info or repair help is you local home fridge expert. Take the coach to them and I bet just to have a look inside your coach they would give free advise.

Dale,
as for the accuracy of the thermometer, I put a second sensor from another thermometer in the refrigerator and they are within 1 degree of each other (27 and 28 degrees). The sensor for measuring the temp is in the middle of the middle shelf. It has some food and beverages in it but it is not full and it has been on for a week now.
Another thing I don't understand is why the freezer shows a 7 degree reading when I set it to -5. I did this because it was set to 0 on the door and it still showed as being 7 degrees in the freezer.
I was hoping that there was some sort of reset that needed to be done after turning the refrigerator on after it had been off for a few months.
Thanks

[oldtrojan66]

Yep, good advice from previous poster. Temps on the front are meant to be product temps, not air temps. Also always allow 24 hours for temp changes to take effect and have some food in fridge when measuring the temp. hth

[Dale_Traveling]

First I would verify the thermometer is accurate. A cup of ice water will give you 32 degrees exactly.

Second the fridge side may have over chilled trying to get down to commanded temp. Open the door and allow the temp to rise a few degrees above what the temp is set for then give the fridge time to get down to set temp and check again.

Third where you are measuring the temp will have an effect. At the vent it will be very cold just like an air conditioner. Move your thermometer to the center rack.

Since it's not an absorption fridge your best source of info or repair help is you local home fridge expert. Take the coach to them and I bet just to have a look inside your coach they would give free advise.

[TechWriter]

tmmar wrote:
I have a 20 cu ft Whirlpool residential refrigerator in my new coach. Plugged it in the other day in preparation for an upcoming trip . . . The temp is 60

in

the coach.
Any ideas?

What's the outside temp? If it's below 55 degrees (lowest fridge operating temp) and your residential is vented to the outside, that could be your problem.

[ScottG]

Is it empty? I wonder if putting a bunch of stuff in it will do anything.