How cold can it go?

[Ken Pimentel]

I've got a DCM-12 for both the freezer and frig (standard issue). About 4 months ago I had all systems charged by a qualified serviceman. It seems that I've never been able to get the freezer colder than about 15 degrees fahrenheit. This is without any frost build-up. How cold should it be and is there anything I could do to get it colder by about 5 degrees? The sensing unit is mounted at the base of the cold-plate - I assume in the correct position. It seems if I moved it up higher, it would force the freezer to run a little colder?

 

[gary]

frig- frezer- deep frezer

what i have been able to find out is :1. a frig will be 30 to 40 degrees.2. a freezer is around 15 to 20 degrees.3. a deep freezer is 0 degrees.do you know what you bought?you can not compare these systems on a boat to your home unless you bought a deep freezergary and redgldaniels@provide.net

 

[Ken Pimentel]

ice cream cold

I put a freezer thermometer in my home freezer (just a run-of-the-mill refrigerator) and measured about 5 degrees at max cold setting. I know that ice cream is very hard at this temp. I know that at 15 degrees, ice cream is very mushy. I'm concerned because I'm trying to freeze foods that have no preservatives and I think 15 isn't cold enough. I would like to get the temp to 10 degrees as I think that would work.

 

[Rick Moore]

Move Sensor

If your unit is not already overworking, then definitely move the sensor away from the base of the plate. I think you will find this will make quite a difference, as the coldest place is right under your holding plate. Just move it away and up a little bit and see how it does, keep using your thermometer in the same place to get a consistent reference point.

 

[Phil Williams]

Pretty Cold

The sensing bulb should stay in the location it was intended to be. If you want to get a colder temperature in the box and have the thermostat adjusted to the coldest setting already and this is not giving you want you want then pull the sensing bulb out and place some thin plastic tubing over the bulb and put back into location. This will insulate the bulb from the plate slightly and give you a colder box temperature. You should be able to maintain 15 degrees with no problem and this is cold enough for all types of food except for ice cream. The heavier the cream content the colder the freezer needs to be to keep it firm.Your refrigerator should run between 38 and 43 to keep your food fresh.A box with product in it is easier to keep cold (frozen) than a box that is empty. To fill up the space, if the box is too large for your food needs, is to place plastic milk jugs full of water in the bottom of the box. This will assist the refrigeration unit.

 

[Phil Williams]

Pretty Cold

The sensing bulb should stay in the location it was intended to be. If you want to get a colder temperature in the box and have the thermostat adjusted to the coldest setting already and this is not giving you want you want then pull the sensing bulb out and place some thin plastic tubing over the bulb and put back into location. This will insulate the bulb from the plate slightly and give you a colder box temperature. You should be able to maintain 15 degrees with no problem and this is cold enough for all types of food except for ice cream. The heavier the cream content the colder the freezer needs to be to keep it firm.Your refrigerator should run between 38 and 43 to keep your food fresh.A box with product in it is easier to keep cold (frozen) than a box that is empty. To fill up the space, if the box is too large for your food needs, is to place plastic milk jugs full of water in the bottom of the box. This will assist the refrigeration unit.