Had a bad moment a couple of nights ago when our small chest freezer
malfunctioned . It's down in the cellar and doesn't get checked often so
we don't really know how long it was offline . A lot of stuff partly
thawed but we managed to save most of it . Thing is , after I unplugged
then replugged the unit and rotated the temp control it came back on and
is cooling . My question is what is considered a normal range of temp
change ? Without touching any controls or even opening the lid it's been
varying from -20°F to +5°F . It's mostly empty so I know that will have
an effect , but 25° seems a bit of a wide variation .
(also posted to alt.home.repair)
--
Snag
"You can lead a dummy to facts
but you can't make him think."

On 11/12/2022 1:17 PM, Snag wrote:
>   Had a bad moment a couple of nights ago when our small chest freezer
> malfunctioned . It's down in the cellar and doesn't get checked often so
> we don't really know how long it was offline . A lot of stuff partly
> thawed but we managed to save most of it . Thing is , after I unplugged
> then replugged the unit and rotated the temp control it came back on and
> is cooling . My question is what is considered a normal range of temp
> change ? Without touching any controls or even opening the lid it's been
> varying from -20°F to +5°F . It's mostly empty so I know that will have
> an effect , but 25° seems a bit of a wide variation .
>  (also posted to alt.home.repair)

Our upright freezer rarely varies my more than a couple degrees, maybe
5-10 when its been opened for a few minutes organizing or searching for
something. Maybe only a couple when its closed. A chest freezer should
be much more stable as the cold air doesn't "pour" out.

A "trick" to know how long a freezer has been out is to put a glass of
water in and let it freeze, then lay a dime on top of the ice. The ice
will sublime away over time, but if its water or the dime is sunk in the
ice you know it melted. The glass of water needs to be replaced from
time to time because of the sublimation (that's my best guess as to
water loss) over time.

--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
www.avg.com

On 11/12/2022 2:36 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
> On 11/12/2022 1:17 PM, Snag wrote:
>>    Had a bad moment a couple of nights ago when our small chest
>> freezer malfunctioned . It's down in the cellar and doesn't get
>> checked often so we don't really know how long it was offline . A lot
>> of stuff partly thawed but we managed to save most of it . Thing is ,
>> after I unplugged then replugged the unit and rotated the temp control
>> it came back on and is cooling . My question is what is considered a
>> normal range of temp change ? Without touching any controls or even
>> opening the lid it's been varying from -20°F to +5°F . It's mostly
>> empty so I know that will have an effect , but 25° seems a bit of a
>> wide variation .
>>   (also posted to alt.home.repair)
>
> Our upright freezer rarely varies my more than a couple degrees, maybe
> 5-10 when its been opened for a few minutes organizing or searching for
> something.  Maybe only a couple when its closed.  A chest freezer should
> be much more stable as the cold air doesn't "pour" out.
>
> A "trick" to know how long a freezer has been out is to put a glass of
> water in and let it freeze, then lay a dime on top of the ice.  The ice
> will sublime away over time, but if its water or the dime is sunk in the
> ice you know it melted.  The glass of water needs to be replaced from
> time to time because of the sublimation (that's my best guess as to
> water loss) over time.
>

Yeah , I was hoping but it looks like maybe the temp control is going
TU . I guess I'll see if it's going to be cost effective to replace it .
It's not a crucial part of our storage , but it sure is convenient to
have it . Can't complain , it was gifted to us from our son after he got
an upright unit .
--
Snag
"You can lead a dummy to facts
but you can't make him think."

On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 14:49:25 -0600, Snag <Snag_one@msn.com> wrote:

>On 11/12/2022 2:36 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
>> On 11/12/2022 1:17 PM, Snag wrote:
>>>    Had a bad moment a couple of nights ago when our small chest
>>> freezer malfunctioned . It's down in the cellar and doesn't get
>>> checked often so we don't really know how long it was offline . A lot
>>> of stuff partly thawed but we managed to save most of it . Thing is ,
>>> after I unplugged then replugged the unit and rotated the temp control
>>> it came back on and is cooling . My question is what is considered a
>>> normal range of temp change ? Without touching any controls or even
>>> opening the lid it's been varying from -20°F to +5°F . It's mostly
>>> empty so I know that will have an effect , but 25° seems a bit of a
>>> wide variation .
>>>   (also posted to alt.home.repair)
>>
>> Our upright freezer rarely varies my more than a couple degrees, maybe
>> 5-10 when its been opened for a few minutes organizing or searching for
>> something.  Maybe only a couple when its closed.  A chest freezer should
>> be much more stable as the cold air doesn't "pour" out.
>>
>> A "trick" to know how long a freezer has been out is to put a glass of
>> water in and let it freeze, then lay a dime on top of the ice.  The ice
>> will sublime away over time, but if its water or the dime is sunk in the
>> ice you know it melted.  The glass of water needs to be replaced from
>> time to time because of the sublimation (that's my best guess as to
>> water loss) over time.
>>
>
> Yeah , I was hoping but it looks like maybe the temp control is going
>TU . I guess I'll see if it's going to be cost effective to replace it .
>It's not a crucial part of our storage , but it sure is convenient to
>have it . Can't complain , it was gifted to us from our son after he got
>an upright unit .
Our chest freezer gave up aout six years ago and SWMBO specified an
upright more conveniently located and more convenient item retrieval.
Residen IT geek came up with a monitoring system for both the freezer
and the adjacent "daddy pop" fridge. the mostly full freezer runs
about a 150 minute cycle between -19.5 and -11.5 with an average of
-15.1 deg. C. while the fridge cycle is 60 minutes and 5.6 to8.6 deg.

On 11/12/2022 8:54 PM, Gerry wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Nov 2022 14:49:25 -0600, Snag <Snag_one@msn.com> wrote:
>
>> On 11/12/2022 2:36 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
>>> On 11/12/2022 1:17 PM, Snag wrote:
>>>>    Had a bad moment a couple of nights ago when our small chest
>>>> freezer malfunctioned . It's down in the cellar and doesn't get
>>>> checked often so we don't really know how long it was offline . A lot
>>>> of stuff partly thawed but we managed to save most of it . Thing is ,
>>>> after I unplugged then replugged the unit and rotated the temp control
>>>> it came back on and is cooling . My question is what is considered a
>>>> normal range of temp change ? Without touching any controls or even
>>>> opening the lid it's been varying from -20°F to +5°F . It's mostly
>>>> empty so I know that will have an effect , but 25° seems a bit of a
>>>> wide variation .
>>>>   (also posted to alt.home.repair)
>>>
>>> Our upright freezer rarely varies my more than a couple degrees, maybe
>>> 5-10 when its been opened for a few minutes organizing or searching for
>>> something.  Maybe only a couple when its closed.  A chest freezer should
>>> be much more stable as the cold air doesn't "pour" out.
>>>
>>> A "trick" to know how long a freezer has been out is to put a glass of
>>> water in and let it freeze, then lay a dime on top of the ice.  The ice
>>> will sublime away over time, but if its water or the dime is sunk in the
>>> ice you know it melted.  The glass of water needs to be replaced from
>>> time to time because of the sublimation (that's my best guess as to
>>> water loss) over time.
>>>
>>
>> Yeah , I was hoping but it looks like maybe the temp control is going
>> TU . I guess I'll see if it's going to be cost effective to replace it .
>> It's not a crucial part of our storage , but it sure is convenient to
>> have it . Can't complain , it was gifted to us from our son after he got
>> an upright unit .
> Our chest freezer gave up aout six years ago and SWMBO specified an
> upright more conveniently located and more convenient item retrieval.
> Residen IT geek came up with a monitoring system for both the freezer
> and the adjacent "daddy pop" fridge. the mostly full freezer runs
> about a 150 minute cycle between -19.5 and -11.5 with an average of
> -15.1 deg. C. while the fridge cycle is 60 minutes and 5.6 to8.6 deg.
>

We do have an upright freezer ... and I'll be monitoring this one for
at least a couple of weeks . If it doesn't malf again in a couple of
weeks I'll start putting stuff like bread and other less expensive stuff
in it . Meat is way too expensive to trust in that unit just yet , maybe
after a couple of months I might trust it again . I will be looking for
one of those alarms another respondent mentioned .
--
Snag
"You can lead a dummy to facts
but you can't make him think."

"Snag" wrote in message news:tkps91$1d0te$1@dont-email.me...

....My question is what is considered a normal range of temp change ?

------------------------

My Magic Chef compact refrigerator has a differential of about 10 F degrees
, which I first measured and then confirmed from their tech support. A
mechanical bimetallic thermostat needs a temperature differential to power
the snap action that inhibits contact arcing.

I measured it with a thermocouple passing under the door gasket, with an
inexpensive Ecowitt data logger, and with an Oregon Scientific remote that
communicates with the base station through the door, or the gap around it.

My 12V Alpicool freezers have electronic thermostats with adjustable
differentials. I have them in the kitchen area where I can watch them
because they aren't completely reliable, though they haven't thawed any food
yet.

On 11/13/2022 5:59 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
> "Snag"  wrote in message news:tkps91$1d0te$1@dont-email.me...
>
> ...My question is what is considered a normal range of temp change ?
>
> ------------------------
>
> My Magic Chef compact refrigerator has a differential of about 10 F
> degrees , which I first measured and then confirmed from their tech
> support. A mechanical bimetallic thermostat needs a temperature
> differential to power the snap action that inhibits contact arcing.
>
> I measured it with a thermocouple passing under the door gasket, with an
> inexpensive Ecowitt data logger, and with an Oregon Scientific remote
> that communicates with the base station through the door, or the gap
> around it.
>
> My 12V Alpicool freezers have electronic thermostats with adjustable
> differentials. I have them in the kitchen area where I can watch them
> because they aren't completely reliable, though they haven't thawed any
> food yet.
>

I just ordered a temp alarm unit . Has 3 temps displayed , 2 from
sensors and one ambient . If the transmitter range is long enough I'll
put one out in the freezer in my shop area in addition to the one down
in the cellar . Guess I better order some more AAA rechargeable
batteries too .
--
Snag
"You can lead a dummy to facts
but you can't make him think."

"Snag" wrote in message news:tkr129$1fnmb$1@dont-email.me...

I just ordered a temp alarm unit . Has 3 temps displayed , 2 from
sensors and one ambient . If the transmitter range is long enough I'll
put one out in the freezer in my shop area in addition to the one down
in the cellar . Guess I better order some more AAA rechargeable
batteries too .

I would use Lithiums in the frozen space remotes. They last for years in my
outdoor remotes. Rechargeables generally have less capacity and you might
not notice when they go dead, unless that causes an alarm. Compare the
operating temperature ranges:
https://www.energizer.com/batteries/battery-comparison-chart

On 11/13/2022 9:55 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
> "Snag"  wrote in message news:tkr129$1fnmb$1@dont-email.me...
>
>   I just ordered a temp alarm unit . Has 3 temps displayed , 2 from
> sensors and one ambient . If the transmitter range is long enough I'll
> put one out in the freezer in my shop area in addition to the one down
> in the cellar . Guess I better order some more AAA rechargeable
> batteries too .
>
> I would use Lithiums in the frozen space remotes. They last for years in
> my outdoor remotes. Rechargeables generally have less capacity and you
> might not notice when they go dead, unless that causes an alarm. Compare
> the operating temperature ranges:
> https://www.energizer.com/batteries/battery-comparison-chart
>

I wish I'd seen this before I ordered ... looks like I'll be ordering
some lithiums , I was concerned about the low temp limits of NiMH
batteries .
--
Snag
"You can lead a dummy to facts
but you can't make him think."

In <tkr437$1g0e0$1@dont-email.me> "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

>"Snag" wrote in message news:tkr129$1fnmb$1@dont-email.me...

> I just ordered a temp alarm unit . Has 3 temps displayed , 2 from
>sensors and one ambient . If the transmitter range is long enough I'll
>put one out in the freezer in my shop area in addition to the one down
>in the cellar . Guess I better order some more AAA rechargeable
>batteries too .

>I would use Lithiums in the frozen space remotes. They last for years in my
>outdoor remotes. Rechargeables generally have less capacity and you might
>not notice when they go dead, unless that causes an alarm. Compare the
>operating temperature ranges:
>https://www.energizer.com/batteries/battery-comparison-chart

Agreed abut using Lithium (or at least alkaline).

The rechargables put out lower voltage which (as I've bumped
into with my own remote thermometers..) can cause some grief.
Plus they've (the rechargables..) have shorter lifespans.

--
_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
dannyb@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 11:15:47 -0600, Snag <Snag_one@msn.com> wrote:

>On 11/13/2022 9:55 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
>> "Snag"  wrote in message news:tkr129$1fnmb$1@dont-email.me...
>>
>>   I just ordered a temp alarm unit . Has 3 temps displayed , 2 from
>> sensors and one ambient . If the transmitter range is long enough I'll
>> put one out in the freezer in my shop area in addition to the one down
>> in the cellar . Guess I better order some more AAA rechargeable
>> batteries too .
>>
>> I would use Lithiums in the frozen space remotes. They last for years in
>> my outdoor remotes. Rechargeables generally have less capacity and you
>> might not notice when they go dead, unless that causes an alarm. Compare
>> the operating temperature ranges:
>> https://www.energizer.com/batteries/battery-comparison-chart
>>
>
> I wish I'd seen this before I ordered ... looks like I'll be ordering
>some lithiums , I was concerned about the low temp limits of NiMH
>batteries .
I've had Energizer lithium AA in my remote weather station (Accurite)
for nearly 3 years without changing them, About two years ago I
stocked up on replacements from Costco (20 for $19.95) and have only
used two of them in a different application.

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:11:44 -0500
Gerry <geraldrmiller@yahoo.ca> wrote:

<snip>
>I've had Energizer lithium AA in my remote weather station (Accurite)
>for nearly 3 years without changing them, About two years ago I
>stocked up on replacements from Costco (20 for $19.95) and have only
>used two of them in a different application.

I started buying Energizer Lithiums hoping to avoid damage from leakage
in my devices. Recently noticed at my local store that the price has
more than doubled since a year ago when I last bought some :(

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 11:15:47 -0600, Snag <Snag_one@msn.com> wrote:

>On 11/13/2022 9:55 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
>> "Snag"  wrote in message news:tkr129$1fnmb$1@dont-email.me...
>>
>>   I just ordered a temp alarm unit . Has 3 temps displayed , 2 from
>> sensors and one ambient . If the transmitter range is long enough I'll
>> put one out in the freezer in my shop area in addition to the one down
>> in the cellar . Guess I better order some more AAA rechargeable
>> batteries too .
>>
>> I would use Lithiums in the frozen space remotes. They last for years in
>> my outdoor remotes. Rechargeables generally have less capacity and you
>> might not notice when they go dead, unless that causes an alarm. Compare
>> the operating temperature ranges:
>> https://www.energizer.com/batteries/battery-comparison-chart
>>
>
> I wish I'd seen this before I ordered ... looks like I'll be ordering
>some lithiums , I was concerned about the low temp limits of NiMH
>batteries .

One thing to be aware of is that when these lithium cells run down,
their open-circuit voltage may hold up, while their ability to deliver
current when needed may be greatly reduced.

This happened to me with an Ohaus tabletop lab scale. After 3 or 4
years of intermittent but daily use, the scale would suddenly just
shut down, without any message or warning. The low-battery indicator
never came on.

Knowing how long those AA batteries had been in service, I guessed
that they were now exhausted. Bingo. New batteries solved the
problem.

Joe Gwinn

On Sun, 13 Nov 2022 10:55:43 -0500, "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com>
wrote as underneath :

snip
>https://www.energizer.com/batteries/battery-comparison-chart

Thanks, interesting chart but I gave up with Alkalines they used to
last for years but nowdays, really they all seem to leak even with
plenty of capacity left. I heard somewhere that the ban on Mercury has
made a significant difference to this problem but that could be rubbish!
Three years seems to me to be the danger point but no real tests of
course!

In the 1990's I bought Rayovac Renewal rechargeable alkalines, mostly AAs. A
full discharge damaged them but in applications where they were recharged
after brief use, like the TP4000ZC DVMs for my data logging system, they are
still good nearly 30 years later.

In <tkvtsf$224is$1@dont-email.me> "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

>In the 1990's I bought Rayovac Renewal rechargeable alkalines, mostly AAs. A
>full discharge damaged them but in applications where they were recharged
>after brief use, like the TP4000ZC DVMs for my data logging system, they are
>still good nearly 30 years later.

You lucked out. We tried them in a dozen pagers (remember those???)
and while they didn't leak, they just about universally died out
after just a couple of recharges.

--
_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
dannyb@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]

"danny burstein" wrote in message news:tl088j$c93$1@reader2.panix.com...

In <tkvtsf$224is$1@dont-email.me> "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com>
writes:

>In the 1990's I bought Rayovac Renewal rechargeable alkalines, mostly AAs.
>A
>full discharge damaged them but in applications where they were recharged
>after brief use, like the TP4000ZC DVMs for my data logging system, they
>are
>still good nearly 30 years later.

You lucked out. We tried them in a dozen pagers (remember those???)
and while they didn't leak, they just about universally died out
after just a couple of recharges.

[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]

------------------
How many readers understand crypto jokes?

Deeper cycling in TV and VCR remotes destroyed my Renewals too.