Forum Discussion

wopachop's avatar
wopachop
Explorer
May 06, 2019

Fridge temp discussion about lower compartments

There was a thread last week about bluetooth thermometers and i ended up buying the RV Whisper setup. I like it a lot and spent a few days testing sensors side by side. The temp readings where always very close between 4 sensors.

I started playing around with them and noticed how the lower compartments of my dometic absorption fridge are often over 40F while the rest of the fridge is at 36F.

There were times i would store meat in those compartments because i felt they are easy to clean and sanitize.

I do have a small fan blowing inside the fridge. Suppose its reasonable to think removing the flat plastic cover on the shelf would help airflow and decrease the temps inside the compartments. I will definitely test that.

Posted a few screenshots. One temp sensor was inside the freezer and i moved to the lower compartment. The other temp sensor was on the top shelf of the fridge and i moved it to the same lower compartment.

I did that yesterday and opened the fridge maybe twice. It ran all night and this morning the lower compartment temps are still 40f while the rest of the fridge is 36f.

Fridge is running on electric. Plugged into 50amp and voltage is high.






  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    May 06, 2019
    It will be interesting to see if the temperatures go down if you pull that separator out of the way. I would seem likely. Please post back what you find out.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2019
    Interesting. I’ll test my fridge’s lower compartments.
  • shastagary's avatar
    shastagary
    Explorer
    May 06, 2019
    the drawers on the bottom of the refrigerator are called the crisper drawers.
    it is a compartment located within a refrigerator designed to prolong the freshness of stored produce. Crisper drawers have a different level of humidity from the rest of the refrigerator, optimizing freshness in fruits and vegetables. if your not using them for that purpose removing the partition above should get them to the same temp as the rest of the refrigerator.
    refrigerator crisper drawer
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 06, 2019
    Absorption fridges have 'temperature zones'
    Freezer.coldest spot is next to back wall where coil/plate is located

    Food compartment....
    Right side top coolest with temps getting warmer as you move to left and down
    Door shelves warmest

    Fan inside food compartment 'helps' circulate air but still will have cooler/warmer spots
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    May 07, 2019
    Of course the best answer is pull the Amish fridge and install a Waeco compressor fridge. You can sell you old working fridge, someone will buy it.

    A Waeco compressor is not to be confused with a residential compressor fridge. Waeco compressor fridges are duty cycle fridges and the compressors are super efficient so amp draw is less than a residential unit, substantially less and they operate on 110 or 12 volt power (no propane). As the fridge gets colder, the compressor adjusts to the cooler temps and cycles only when needed and at a lower draw.

    Boaters have used them for years because the power is limited (no shore power when underway) and they don't have to be level to work (rough seas). In fact they run just fine up to 20 degrees out of plumb in any direction. Your Amish fridge won't.

    Cost, about the same or less than an Amish fridge. You'd think RV builders would use them, just have not wised up yet. European builds have long ago.
  • wopachop's avatar
    wopachop
    Explorer
    May 07, 2019
    What do they pull at 12v? Wondering out of curiosity for boondocking.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    May 07, 2019
    RV refers in the bottom section uses convection air flow to remove the Heat. That is why it is important to not install food against the back wall in bags. Cans and bottles. The air flow must flow over the Evap fins to remove the Heat from the inside. ANYTHING (fans) that promote air flow over those fins will make the refer cool better. Since the bottom crisper drawers will not as easily have air flow, they will not get as cold. ICE on the Evap fins is a insulator and defrosting the refer when ICE builds up on the fins is required to get the refer colder and operate correctly. Using the Bluetooth temp sensors is a good idea but it is like have 4 watches. A man with 1 watch knows the time. A Man with 4 watches is never sure. Doug
  • prichardson's avatar
    prichardson
    Explorer
    May 07, 2019
    Not familiar with the Waeco brand, but the Norcold commonly used in the marine applications typically are about 4amps with a 50% duty cycle.
  • wopachop's avatar
    wopachop
    Explorer
    May 10, 2019
    Turned focus to humidity and the compartments have been consistently lower than the rest of the fridge. Meaning they are working backwards as humidity is supposed to be higher.

    I see no benefit to that flat separator on the lower shelf.

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