Wireless Fridge Monitors

[UIZ733]

I am aware this topic has been covered before. On reading previous threads, it would appear these items are unreliable or in many cases fail altogether quite early in their lives. In the case of failure, is their a consistent pattern. Basically what is weak link in the system?
Which is likely to be the best of these two? http://camping.anaconda.com.au/adventure/Wireless%20Fridge%20Thermometer
Regards

[Redback]

The batteries are the weak point, suseptable to moisture and cold, a good trick is to put the sensor in a ziplock bag and then put it in the fridge, I got two of the wireless thermometers from Bunnings at $9.95 each, 6mths on still going strong.

They are identical to the Companion/Engal jobbie, even use the same frequency, I have both, I put mine in a ziplock bag and both thermometers pick up the signal on the sensor in the fridge, having the sensor in the ziplock bag seems to have solved the early failure of the batteries..

At $9.95 you can't go wrong



Baz.

[D4D]

Good tip Baz, I wonder if you could vacuum seal them instead of using a ziplock bag?

[Redback]

Good idea, might work even better that way, I might do that for our High Country trip this Xmas

[Tractor88]

Not only that but the sensor will be kept fresh as the day it went in. No soggy sensor, great idea. 

[UIZ733]

Thanks for the information and excellent tip.  Off to the big Green Shed soon.

[D4D]

I couldn't find them on the Bunnings web site...

[GU_Thomo]

Here is what I use, works like a charm.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acu-Rite-Wireless-Digital-Refrigerator-Freezer-Thermometer-New-Version-986-/380789434194?pt=Kitchen_Tools_Gadgets&hash=item58a8d1a752

Cheers
Parry

[muzza01]

The batteries are the weak point, suseptable to moisture and cold, a good trick is to put the sensor in a ziplock bag and then put it in the fridge, I got two of the wireless thermometers from Bunnings at $9.95 each, 6mths on still going strong.

They are identical to the Companion/Engal jobbie, even use the same frequency, I have both, I put mine in a ziplock bag and both thermometers pick up the signal on the sensor in the fridge, having the sensor in the ziplock bag seems to have solved the early failure of the batteries..

At $9.95 you can't go wrong



Baz.

$9.95 is a good price. I paid around $25-$30 for an Engal brand a few years ago. First trip was 2 weeks on the beach up in Cape York. It worked pretty well. Got home, removed the batteries and stowed inside the house. The next time I went to use it, it wouldn't work. I pulled it apart but the sea air from the previous trip had caused major corrosion inside the unit. I tried to resolver some joins but in the end, I just gave up. Very disappointed. I now use a wired one from Waeco that has worked well for the last year but I think this one that Baz has posted for $9.95 is a good deal. I wouldn't care too much if it only lasted a couple of years.

[Redback]

I couldn't find them on the Bunnings web site...

Just went looking myself and you're right, that's a shame, they have the Aqua Systems wireless weather station at $19.98, wonder if it's the same thing

I did find on Ebay a heap wireless thermometers ranging from $15 to $50

Here another one identical, just called a wireless weather station
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Weather-Station-Indoor-Outdoor-Thermometer-Temperature-C-F-Clock-/321265447928?pt=AU_Gadgets&hash=item4acce9b3f8#ht_3950wt_1162

[areyonga]

Mine has been going for over two years with no problems, it has two sensors and I have only changed the batteries once in that time.  When Im not travelling I put the sensors in my house fridge and freezer so they have been working continuously. no problems with batteries or moisture at all.  I have even put one sensor outside on the pergola to show how far below zero it gets in winter, they work up to 6 metres away from the main unit depending on amount of metal interference.

Previous info here

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=17884.0

Trevor

[Chesapeake]

Re fridge monitors,I may be missing something here but why do you need a wireless monitor on your fridge? Does the temperature alter that much inside that you need to keep adjusting to maintain a good temp?My Trailblaza just sits in the back of the ute ,runs 24/7 and never seems to require adjustment of thermostat to keep contents how I like it.Just seems another gadget to go wrong.
Anyway,just my 2 cents worth.
Luke.

[D4D]

Re fridge monitors,I may be missing something here but why do you need a wireless monitor on your fridge?

To satisfy one's OCD

[Footy Shorts Shane]

I have a Companion brand one. Has worked an absolute treat so far. Looks similar to the one posted but I think it was around $30.


 

Re fridge monitors,I may be missing something here but why do you need a wireless monitor on your fridge? Does the temperature alter that much inside that you need to keep adjusting to maintain a good temp?My Trailblaza just sits in the back of the ute ,runs 24/7 and never seems to require adjustment of thermostat to keep contents how I like it.Just seems another gadget to go wrong.
Anyway,just my 2 cents worth.
Luke.

Just another gadget that I had to have to keep my simple mind amussed    Dont need it at all, just want it.

Shane.

[areyonga]

Re fridge monitors,I may be missing something here but why do you need a wireless monitor on your fridge? Does the temperature alter that much inside that you need to keep adjusting to maintain a good temp?My Trailblaza just sits in the back of the ute ,runs 24/7 and never seems to require adjustment of thermostat to keep contents how I like it.Just seems another gadget to go wrong.
Anyway,just my 2 cents worth.
Luke.

I use mine mainly in the three way in the Goldstream as they are temprimental in the hot weather and heat up quickly and also freeze quickly,,,,,, and the other answer is ,, because I can

[geopaj]

Mine has been going for over two years with no problems, it has two sensors and I have only changed the batteries once in that time.  When Im not travelling I put the sensors in my house fridge and freezer so they have been working continuously. no problems with batteries or moisture at all.  I have even put one sensor outside on the pergola to show how far below zero it gets in winter, they work up to 6 metres away from the main unit depending on amount of metal interference.

Previous info here

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=17884.0

Trevor

I recently bought one of these Acu-Rite ones. So far it seems to be great.

[Turbojohn]

I bought an engel one. The thing constantly loses it's connection even with the reciever on the lid of the fridge 
Its the wired ones for me now

[Wato]

I bought an Acurite one about 2 years ago and it has worked very well. In that time I have only changed the batteries once.

Craig

[Redback]

I bought an engel one. The thing constantly loses it's connection even with the reciever on the lid of the fridge 
Its the wired ones for me now

We used have an Engal one also and yes Identical to the Aqua and Companion thermometer, we found that our Engal one lost it's signal quite regular, what we found was, it wouldn't work with the insulation bag on the fridge or if the device was more than a couple of metres from the fridge, and would just lose signal for no reason, we took it back and got our money back, same for the companion jobbie, it can be finicky also since we have had it, funny that this elcheapo one works really well and has been faultless for 6mths.

Baz.

[UIZ733]

Re fridge monitors,I may be missing something here but why do you need a wireless monitor on your fridge?
Luke.

My "new" camper which will be picked up next week has a Waeco CR 80 Fridge freezer. Apparently the CR 80 has problems coping (wait for it) with cooler ambient temperatures. I want to monitor it. There is a 'fix' for the problem it seems.

[best of both worlds]

The batteries are the weak point, suseptable to moisture and cold, a good trick is to put the sensor in a ziplock bag and then put it in the fridge, I got two of the wireless thermometers from Bunnings at $9.95 each, 6mths on still going strong.

They are identical to the Companion/Engal jobbie, even use the same frequency, I have both, I put mine in a ziplock bag and both thermometers pick up the signal on the sensor in the fridge, having the sensor in the ziplock bag seems to have solved the early failure of the batteries..

At $9.95 you can't go wrong



Baz.

Found one at Bunnings Munno Para but the Parafield store didn't have them.

Thanks Baz

[gordo350]

We got one with the Eva Kool fridge as a package.  Works perfectly.  I think it might be different to the ones you guys are the talking about coz the controller has small lead which goes in the fridge and the battery part sits outside.  No worries:)

gordo350

[KingBilly]

First Evakool remote temp monitor was replaced under warranty after only 6 months.  When second one died two months later, I didn't bother phoning again.  Just chucked it.

KB

[achjimmy]

I have had a two zone one for about 5 years. The sensor just feeds into the fridge and is the size a pea it's base sits in the fridge pocket. I have the reciever either in the consol or take it in the van. Can set low temp alarms as well . It's worked reliably and gone through about three sets of batteries. I never turn it off so been running for 5 years.

http://www.twozone.com.au/thermometer.html

[KingBilly]

Looks identical to the Evakool one.  Obviously you've had a better run than I did.

KB