Topic: Refrigerator / Freezer use of temp sensors, my use

[Rover1822]

If you already have a console/gateway  that can accept one of the temp sensors that uses one of the 8 channels.
If you are concerned about freezer/fridge operation slap one of the temp sensors in.

You might go nuts watching the fluxuations on a frost free freezer, during a defrost cycle but you will get to expect it , and understand it. Or just the fluctuations on a non frost free. Enjoy watching the graph of what looks a sine wave.

I see these as an early warning system for my household fridges / freezers, and one of my really appreciated uses. It really applies to those of us that may have older fridges/freezers, but , now that I have mine in use for years , I can't imagine not having a sensor in it.
 

[Wooks61]

Also useful  when someone doesn't close the Freezer/Fridge door properly.

[jbroome]

It can be especially useful if you have expensive medications that must be kept refrigerated!

I have a separate fridge just for medications (such as insulin and specialty meds), and I am quite glad to have a WN34BL in that fridge. I have my own software rigged up to alert me if the fridge gets warm, the sensor battery gets low, or the signal strength diminishes.  (I also have the fridge on a current-monitoring smart plug, but that's not an Ecowitt thing.)  All of this makes for much greater peace of mind!

(I'd guess that HA can also do the monitoring and alerting, but I haven't tried that yet.)

   ---Jonathan

[Gyvate]

(I'd guess that HA can also do the monitoring and alerting, but I haven't tried that yet.)

This should work as the Ecowitt integrations sends the whole custom server string with all sensor data including signal and batteries.
The same CumulusMX could do if the respective alarms are defined.
It should also work via ecowitt.net  - Of course alerts inside the local network are in principle safer as the local network should not be affected by internet issues ...

[Platokidd]

In my RV I have 3 temp sensors. Freezer, Fridge and the backside of the unit. Yes, the back side of an RV fridge can get HOT. Temps over 100f can be normal. I have 4 fans that turn on at 95f for cooling and extracting the hot air.

If it gets super-hot, I know I have an issue. I can also monitor what time of day it cycles to remove frost . Preferably I try to set this up for around 2 am.

For me, this is a MUST HAVE! After all, a man needs to know his beer is cold

[Rover1822]

OK got my AC1100 in.

I have a small fridge in the garage, that has a flaky thermostat.
So using a t/h sensor and the AC1100 I have done the following

1. set the fridge thermostat to max
2. Programmed the AC1100 smart switch to turn on the fridge if the temp is > 38F, and off if temp is <36F with 2 triggers

So far it is working as planned

[kheller2]

Since there aren’t enough WN31/30 channels for my use, which is better for a freezer substitute: WN34 soil or liquid?

I’ve recently repaired a freezer and yes it’s maddening to watch the cooling and defrosting cycles.   

[Rover1822]

you missed one option. Get another gateway.
It is what I do

[kheller2]

you missed one option. Get another gateway.
It is what I do

I have no less than 4 gateways and 4 consoles.     I would just like to have more than 8 on one unit.

[Gyvate]

this cannot be easily done or might even be impossible without a complete change of the hardware - remember, the WH31 family channel identification works via DIP switches and with three DIP switches you can only handle 2³ = 8 devices. If humidity is not so important, eight more WN34 can be used.

[G.Brown]

yes I too would like more temp sensors on the same console and have been considering adding soil temp sensors of which I do already have one (in soil) cant see there being a problem.
Imagine its just the tip placement that is important.
I have had one fail on me just after it was out of warranty - not very well sealed against the elements.

[kheller2]

Let me clarify a bit more: if one was going to just need temperature, would the 34 Soil or Liquid be better for open air applications?

[Gyvate]

Let me clarify a bit more: if one was going to just need temperature, would the 34 Soil or Liquid be better for open air applications?

not per se better - depending on the use case.
if only temperature is needed, the water protected probe would be useful and one may not need an extra protection, depending on solar exposure.

[BoDuke]

The soil probe is long and solid so it might be awkward.  The liquid sensor has a probe with a cable which is more flexible for placement.

[jcjrogers]

If you already have a console/gateway  that can accept one of the temp sensors that uses one of the 8 channels.
If you are concerned about freezer/fridge operation slap one of the temp sensors in.

You might go nuts watching the fluxuations on a frost free freezer, during a defrost cycle but you will get to expect it , and understand it. Or just the fluctuations on a non frost free. Enjoy watching the graph of what looks a sine wave.

I see these as an early warning system for my household fridges / freezers, and one of my really appreciated uses. It really applies to those of us that may have older fridges/freezers, but , now that I have mine in use for years , I can't imagine not having a sensor in it.

I use a Freezer/Refrigerator sensor in my wine cellar (refrigerator). It warns me when the humidity gets too high/low… mainly too low so I know to add water to the sponge I use for humidification. It also made me aware of big temperature fluctuations (8 or so Deg. F).  The sensor with the built-in thermometer must be encased in a way that shields it from short-term temperature fluctuations-- its readings rarely vary more than a couple degrees Fahrenheit.

[K2GW]

Not a freezer, but I have 3 supplemental indoor temperature sensors in addition to the primary  one that’s installed in my kitchen.  One is in our upstairs bedroom and one is in the basement to let me see temps/humidity on all three floors. But that’s a common use.

The last one I do use a bit unusually.  It’s up in our attic, where I use it to monitor the action of our attic vent fan reduce the heat load on our air conditioning. I set that attic fan’s internal thermostat switch to operate above 105 degrees, and the weather station temperature sensor confirms that it is operating correctly.

[Rover1822]

AS I posted in another thread,  my use advanced on a dying freezer (bad thermostat) , and I coupled the temp sensor with an AC1100 switch. So , the combination, became in effect, the thermostat.

I only advize this with non frost free freezers, as frost free freezers go into their reversal mode based on a mechanical or electronic  clock like arrangement.

I also don't recommend this as permanent solution, but it did help me in a pinch.

I to this day have sensors in all my fridges and freezers, going back to early warning scenario if something is starting to fail.