Thermostat for CU-100

[Bolo]

I recently had a local vendor install a Adler Barbour CU-100 cooling unit and evaporator in my E32-3 ice box to replace the old AB unit which gave up the ghost this year. Works fine but it gets too cold to the point where food and beverages will freeze at the bottom of the box even with the thermostat at it's lowest setting. He install a refrigerator thermostat and not a freezer thermostat, although he installed the freezer unit by mistake the first time and then changed it out. Is there another thermostat that will warm up my ice box and work with my CU-100? I'd love to get one that also has a digital read out of the box temp.

 

[Loren Beach]

Regarding knowing the temp. inside your fridge, I have a readout very similar to this one, and it was about the same $, 8 or 10 years ago.
Takes a new battery in the base the remote about every other year. I have the base unit surface-mounted by the Nav Desk. I move the sender higher or lower in the box, to check on how cold things are, and yes there is about a 5 degeee difference from upper to lower areas.

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[Christian Williams]

My current thermometer, $7.99. With the fridge running continually at dock at lowest temp (i.e., warmest, #1 or 2) setting, it generally shows about 38F but still makes ice.

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Lots of bang for the buck

 

[Robid]

This works for any temperature confirmation. Get some J or K thermocouple wire. Get the conversion table for the specific wire. Measure the milli volts. I have used this on many mechanical troubleshooting issues. If you change the sensing thermocouple position either by direct contact or in the flow of the cooling/heating medium this will control the action against the setpoint, not the heating or cooling ability of the machine.

 

[Bolo]

This works for any temperature confirmation. Get some J or K thermocouple wire. Get the conversion table for the specific wire. Measure the milli volts. I have used this on many mechanical troubleshooting issues. If you change the sensing thermocouple position either by direct contact or in the flow of the cooling/heating medium this will control the action against the setpoint, not the heating or cooling ability of the machine.

Are you saying….The thermocouple is attached to the evaporator and if it’s moved to a lower position, closer to the bottom of the ice box, then it will shut the compressor down soon so that the box doesn’t freeze up. I don’t know where the thermocouple is attached to the evaporator at present but I do have the refrigeration installer (who installed the new frig last spring) coming on board to look the problem over for me. I’ll make the suggestion to him.

 

[peaman]

I don’t know where the thermocouple is attached to the evaporator at present

In typical systems, control is not based on a thermocouple, but instead uses a bulb or capillary which contains a fluid like alcohol. The sensing device should be located per the manufacturer's guidelines. A separate thermocouple can however be used to override or limit system operation based on temperature at some arbitrary location in the box.

Your unit can be fitted with an optional digital thermostat provided by Adler Barbour. See the installation instructions, page 10 (analog thermostat) and page 11 (digital thermostat) for more details.

 

[Bolo]

In typical systems, control is not based on a thermocouple, but instead uses a bulb or capillary which contains a fluid like alcohol. The sensing device should be located per the manufacturer's guidelines. A separate thermocouple can however be used to override or limit system operation based on temperature at some arbitrary location in the box.

Your unit can be fitted with an optional digital thermostat provided by Adler Barbour. See the installation instructions, page 10 (analog thermostat) and page 11 (digital thermostat) for more details.

OK, after looking at the installation diagrams in the owners manual it shows a box type freezer compartment evaporator with the "sensing tube" that comes from the thermostat attached to the lower end of it. My installer used a flat evaporator bent into a "L" shape as per my request because I did have a box type evaporator on the old model which got in the way when trying to get something out of the box. I asked him where this sensor tube was attached to the flat evaporator and he couldn't answer me but will go on board to check it out.

My point to him was that if it's at the top of the flat evaporator then it should be moved to the bottom, I think, where it's colder so the thermostat can get a more accurate reading and then maybe not freeze the box. Still waiting to hear from him. I am aware of the digital thermostat which I believe costs quite a lot and will require more work to install including figuring out where to place the readout or head unit. I'd like to keep things simple with just the dial thermostat because I think once it's set there will be little need for additional adjustment.

 

[Loren Beach]

I'd like to keep things simple with just the dial thermostat because I think once it's set there will be little need for additional adjustment

Generally do agree, but have always appreciated having a little (and very inexpensive) readout at our nav. desk. That way I can know how the fridge is doing inside without opening the lid - especially on a hot day.
Edit: and I sometimes place the little sender in different parts just to see how the cold air might be layer-ing.