Fridge/Freezer thermostat lack of read out on LED front panel.

Chrysalis

Took delivery of a new fridge freezer yesterday and this has a LED control panel at the front, I assumed logically this would display the status of the internal temperature, otherwise I think there is little point to its existence other than to look fancy.

Well to my surprise it is just a digital control system, there is no temperature read out or even an indicator that the fridge or freezer is at its target temperature or out of range or whatever, quite underwhelmed by that.

Is this common place or the some models actually report the temperature?

I can now on this fridge control fridge and freezer independently (old one was just control dial inside fridge), is a super freeze and eco mode, but no thermostat read out.

For the curious its a HiSense RB395N4WF1.

ThisIsWeird

Have you read the instructions? It should be pretty clear on 'how', if it can also display actual temps.
I'll have a look when on t'PC.

Lorian

Often only more expensive one display the temp in my experience. I have a battery gadget (forget how much not expensive) that displays temp and alerts me. Works if the power is cut...

chrisw

Lorian said:

Often only more expensive one display the temp in my experience. I have a battery gadget (forget how much not expensive) that displays temp and alerts me. Works if the power is cut...

Yes, very few models display the actual fridge temperature, the display is usually just the set temperature. Not much different to a dial labelled 1 to 5. 

Most newer models do have an over temperature alarm which annoyingly sounds if you spend too long searching for something for tea.

Chrysalis

ThisIsWeird said:

Have you read the instructions? It should be pretty clear on 'how', if it can also display actual temps.
I'll have a look when on t'PC.

Of course I have.

Chrysalis

Lorian said:

Often only more expensive one display the temp in my experience. I have a battery gadget (forget how much not expensive) that displays temp and alerts me. Works if the power is cut...

Thanks will look for such a gadget, just seems so odd to me, they go to the trouble to add a front panel and dont add the obvious useful function to it.

EssexExile

They are daft aren't they? My fridge freezer tells me the actual temperature in the room but only the desired temperature in the fridge and freezer. I tend to turn the display off.

Chrysalis

Yep, glad I wasnt the only one who thought it was odd.

For the curious I have been comparing power consumption to my old fridge.

So my old fridge/freezer only had a manual dial control inside the fridge area, which I typically set to around 2 in winter months and between 3 and 4 in summer depending on if a heatwave.  Although recently the unit started to what I consider misbehave, hence replacing it.

In terms of power consumption it used about 75w when it was cooling, and if the door was open the bulb took about 13w.  It was typically on and off roughly about a 50/50 ratio, if anything slightly in favour of been not cooling.  Manual defrost.

Only consumes 60-65w when cooling (varies a bit) and the bulb barely registers on the watt meter (sub 1 watt), however with it set to 4C for the fridge and -20C for the freezer (shipped settings) after the initial wait for it to settle down it seems to be on more than its off.  When opening the doors it does feel cooler than the old fridge, especially the freezer. 

Also forgot to mention this unit does have an alarm if door open for 2 minutes, which I definitely will appreciate as on my old unit more than once I have put in the shopping, and then several hours later discovered freezer door left open.  (although not sure if this alarm is only for fridge or the freezer also), however they probably should have set it longer than 2 minutes, as thats short enough that it will go off just putting food in there from shopping.

ThisIsWeird

Chrysalis said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Have you read the instructions? It should be pretty clear on 'how', if it can also display actual temps.
I'll have a look when on t'PC.

Of course I have.

And what did you discover?

ThisIsWeird

Chrysalis said:

Yep, glad I wasnt the only one who thought it was odd.

For the curious I have been comparing power consumption to my old fridge.

So my old fridge/freezer only had a manual dial control inside the fridge area, which I typically set to around 2 in winter months and between 3 and 4 in summer depending on if a heatwave.  Although recently the unit started to what I consider misbehave, hence replacing it.

In terms of power consumption it used about 75w when it was cooling, and if the door was open the bulb took about 13w.  It was typically on and off roughly about a 50/50 ratio, if anything slightly in favour of been not cooling.  Manual defrost.

The new unit which is about 25-30% bigger in height (not sure about actual volume) so has more volume to keep cool and is auto defrost, Only consumes 60-65w when cooling (varies a bit) and the bulb barely registers on the watt meter (sub 1 watt), however with it set to 4C for the fridge and -20C for the freezer (shipped settings) after the initial wait for it to settle down it seems to be on/off about 75/25 ratio, maybe 66/33 as its not consistent.  But definitely on more than its off.  When opening the doors it does feel cooler than the old fridge, especially the freezer.  The actual 65w reading from the watt meter is pretty accurate, as I did compare on the Octopus mini which reported 64w (direct from smart meter).  Some on/off data.

On from 1.05am to 1.25am, then off to 1.37am, then on to 1.54am, then only off until 2.03am.  Not done exact maths on this, the 10w mechanical saving will offset but I think overall is going to be higher running costs.  So I guess not huge efficiency gains made in past 15 years or so.  However right now the unit is mostly empty just drinks, and as I understand things get easier once food is in there.

Also forgot to mention this unit does have an alarm if door open for 2 minutes, which I definitely will appreciate as on my old unit more than once I have put in the shopping, and then several hours later discovered freezer door left open.  (although not sure if this alarm is only for fridge or the freezer also), however they probably should have set it longer than 2 minutes, as thats short enough that it will go off just putting food in there from shopping.

The unit is quite noisy compared to old fridge as well, I think it might be the liquid, as it continues gradually going down for a minute or two after motor stops before settling down.  Its kind of like rattling to describe it.  Luckily this thing isnt heard in the room I sleep so will tolerate it, just hope the noise isnt a sign of something not working right.

Not curious enough to read all that.

Chrysalis

ThisIsWeird said:

Chrysalis said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Have you read the instructions? It should be pretty clear on 'how', if it can also display actual temps.
I'll have a look when on t'PC.

Of course I have.

And what did you discover?

What did you expect me to discover?  You think the manual will tell me anything about other fridges or something?

Essentially I read it to see what the front panel does and how to use it.