Waeco CF50 temperature selection problem

Ooops · Member

Waeco CF50 temperature selection problem

DeBe · Guru

Jaycar have several types of those tactile switches. But if you want a thermostat that will show the set temperature, these are available on Ebay for around $13 to $20. People have used them fitted to Waeco fridges. There will be some wiring alterations. THERMOSTAT DIGITAL.jpg WAECO ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT.F.jpg

Ooops · Member

Thanks Debe

Does this look like the correct part?

3.5mm SPST Micro Tactile Switch CAT.NO: SP0602
www.jaycar.com.au/3-5mm-spst-micro-tactile-switch/p/SP0602

Based on your experience is it likely that it just needs a straight forward switch replacement or would you suspect some other fault?

I was doing some research last night and came across an earlier post of yours that referred to that particular thermostat
Its certainly an economical solution but I was hoping for some thing that looked a lot neater and easier on the eye.
Is there anything else that you could recommend?

Up to now I've been making do with a fridge thermometer suspended from the basket, the shortcomings of this are clear.
I'd really like to upgrade to having an external digital readout of the fridges internal temperature.
Being able to set the fridge's temperature using a digital display would be very nice to have but far less important to me.

DeBe · Guru

You could try that switch. Another alternative is use one of these quite small thermostats. They are around $3 on Ebay & work quite well, ive used several & they might be able to be fitted in the display area of the Waeco. The only problem is the conectors & relay need to be removed & fitted on to the back of the board to flush mount it. Ive used several of these units as they are so cheap. The picture of one fitted to a blue box I made up & fitted to my daughters yacht fridge. THERMOSTAT on yacht.1.jpg THERMOSTAT.1.jpg THERMOSTAT.2.jpg THERMOSTAT.3.JPG THERMOSTAT.4.JPG THERMOSTAT.5.JPG THERMOSTAT.6.JPG

DeBe · Guru

If you just want a compact digital thermometer, iv used plenty of these. On Ebay from a QLD seller 4 for $7.

DeBe · Guru

The thermostat should fit under the display panel of a Waeco fridge. WAECO FRIDGE & THERMOSTAT.JPG

Ooops · Member

DeBe many thanks, this is awesome information

Do you have links for the compact digital thermometer & the thermostat that you used in the boat?

DeBe wrote: You could try that switch. Another alternative is use one of these quite small thermostats.

Does the mod using this thermostat completely take over the other functions of the CF50, those functions being On/Off, Power indicator, Turbo & Error?

Or does it just control the temperature display, set the operating temperature for the refer compartment and control the cycling of the compressor?

I think I'm going to approach this in two parts.

For part one I'm going to fit a new tactile switch and the same compact digital thermometer that you've used. Doing this quickly returns the fridge to being fully functional
My first question is, when you fitted the compact digital thermometer where did you mount the display and the sensor.
My second question is how did you route the cable through to the inside of the refer compartment?

For part two I'm going to fit one of thermostats that used on the boat.
Thanks to your terrific photos that show the required mods I think my modest soldering skills are just about up to it.

WAECO FRIDGE & THERMOSTAT.JPG

What did you have in mind for viewing the display, mounting the pcb and protecting both from the elements? Same question for access & operation of the the switches?
My first thought went to flush mounting three waterproof push button switches for the set, up and down functions and wiring them back to the switches on the pcb.
I have no clue about how to mount and protect the display

DeBe · Guru

It only controls the the compressor cycling. The error led & power are left connected. You need a switch to select turbo & economy compressor speeds. I haven't actualy used that thermostat on the Waeco in the picture as it is still working properly (but I will if it does ever fail). It was just a size comparison with the panel. The wiring from the top panel down to the control board is through a tube in the foam insulation. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4x-LCD-Digital-Thermometer-Fridge-Freezer-FishTank-Aquarium-Temperature-Reptile/292302746358?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3Db6736e461f5148488a142af638bc237a%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D301366689152&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042 Hope this directs you to the digital thermometer.

-- Edited by DeBe on Wednesday 15th of November 2017 10:47:10 PM

Ooops · Member

DeBe wrote:
It only controls the the compressor cycling. The error led & power are left connected. You need a switch to select turbo & economy compressor speeds. I haven't actualy used that thermostat on the Waeco in the picture as it is still working properly (but I will if it does ever fail). It was just a size comparison with the panel. The wiring from the top panel down to the control board is through a tube in the foam insulation.

Understood, many thanks.

My question about how to route the wiring was aimed at the compact digital thermostat that you showed.
I'm particularly interested in how you got the sensor into the refer compartment and how you and where you attached the sensor so that it was effective whilst being out of harms way

DeBe · Guru

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/W1209-Digital-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller-Switch-Sensor-Module-DC-12V-20A/272893217126?hash=item3f89b40966:g:TeIAAOSwVlVZ6EAX this should be the thermostat, And theres plenty to choose from some sellers as low as $2.. Pictures of the thermometer mounted rather crudely on my fridge, stuck on with silastic. THERMOMETER.1.JPG THERMOMETER.2.JPG

-- Edited by DeBe on Wednesday 15th of November 2017 11:25:07 PM

Ooops · Member

Thanks DeBe, all very much appreciated

hoffy · Newbie

Hi Ooops
I had the same thing with my CF60 (erratic lights when selecting temp). I dismantled the switch panel and found that the switch under the button was sticking, so I applied a drop of WD40 to all the switches and bingo, good as new again.
That was about 3 years ago and still good.
Might be worth a try before you change thermostats etc.
Graeme

Ooops · Member

hoffy wrote:
Hi Ooops
........ I applied a drop of WD40 to all the switches and bingo, good as new again.
Graeme

Graeme

You star! It worked as you described biggrin
I would never have thought of applying WD40 to an electronics switch

I think mine's a bit further gone than yours as I had to work the switch a fair bit and after a while apply another drop and work it some more.

Its not fixed, it still occasionally fails at a rate of one fail for every twenty pushes where as before it was forty nine fails for every fifty pushes or worse.
I'll apply a bit more tomorrow and give it some more exercise but unless it proves to be 100% I'll still order a replacement switch

All of which is beside the point, the important thing here is that you've restored decent functionality and every day use to me.

Many, many thanks for that.