The Chaney Instrument 00985 is a compact digital thermometer that helps you safeguard your food investment with programmable temperature alarms for both the fridge and freezer. The 00985 displays current refrigerator and freezer temperatures in big, bold digits and recorded minimum and maximum temperatures in smaller digits. You can select °C or °F for displayed temperatures. When temperatures fall below preset minimum values or exceed preset maximum values, the 00985 activates both audible and visible alarms so that you are informed and can take appropriate action. This digital thermometer comes with two wireless remote temperature sensors. The remote numbered 1 is for the refrigerator, and the remote numbered 2 is for the freezer.

The 00985 is easy to set up and use. After inserting batteries in the main unit first and then in the number 1 and number 2 remotes in that order, you must locate the remotes in the refrigerator and freezer. Each remote has a spring clip with rubber grips to securely hold the remote to the edge of a glass or wire shelf commonly found in modern refrigerators. As an alternative, you can use the suction cup on remote 1 to attach the remote to the interior surface of a refrigerator. Remote 2 also has a suction cup, but since suction cups do not adhere well to freezing surfaces, it's best to remove and save it and just use the spring clip.

On the back of the main unit are four magnets by which it can adhere to the exterior surface of a refrigerator. Also on the back of the main unit are an integral fold-out table stand for free-standing use and a keyhole slot for wall mounting.

The measuring range of the remote sensors is -22°F to +104°F (-30°C to +40°C). For each remote, the large (1/2 inch tall) number in its display on the main unit is the current temperature. The smaller (just under 3/16 inch) numbers to the right are the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded by the remote since the last memory reset. You press the CLR button to clear and reset the memory. 

The main unit has two independent audible temperature alarms, one for each remote. The remote 1 and remote 2 alarm on/off buttons are the ones to the left of the displays (the buttons with numbered bell symbols). To turn the alarm on for a particular remote, you press its alarm button so that an ALARM icon appears below MAX and above MIN in the display for that remote. If the temperature for a remote sensor falls below the preset minimum or rises above the preset maximum for 15 minutes, the alarm sounds (and quite loudly, we might add). The 15-minute time period is to prevent "false alarms" that could otherwise occur when the door is opened to load or unload items from the fridge or freezer.

The default preset alarm temperatures are FDA-recommended values. These are 33°F minimum and 40°F maximum for remote 1 (fridge) and -22°F minimum and 0°F maximum for remote 2 (freezer). If you would prefer your own customized alarm temperature thresholds, you can use the alarm on/off buttons and the + and - buttons to change the default presets up or down as desired. The user manual tells you how to do this.

To access the main unit's battery compartment, you use two fingers to extend the table stand. The battery compartment cover is under the stand. For powering, the main unit uses two AAA (1.5V) alkaline batteries. Remote 1 for the refrigerator uses two AA (1.5V) alkaline batteries. Remote 2 for the freezer uses two AA lithium batteries, which provide superior performance in sub-freezing temperatures. Alkaline batteries work down to about -4°F (-20°C), while lithium batteries work down to -40°F (-40°C), which is well below the -22°F (-30°C) lower operating limit of the 00985 and its remotes. When the batteries in a remote need replacement, a low-battery icon appears in the main unit's display for that remote.

With its ability to alert you to temperature problems in your fridge and freezer so that you can take action before damage to or spoilage of food occurs, the Chaney 00985 Refrigerator/Freezer Wireless Digital Thermometer can more than pay for itself.

Specifications:

• Temperature measuring range (both remotes): -22°F to +104°F (-30°C to +40°C). Main unit displays -H- for high or -L- for low if a remote senses temperatures above or below this range.
• Temperature resolution: 1°F/C
• Temperature alarm setting range: same as temperature measuring range
• Main unit dimensions:
  • Height: 2-5/16 inches (58 mm)
  • Width: 5-7/8 inches (149 mm)
  • Thickness: 1 inch (25.4 mm) with stand folded in
• Remote sensor dimensions (when oriented vertically and not including suction cup):
  • Height: 4-1/8 inches (105 mm)
  • Width: 1-3/8 inches (35 mm)
  • Thickness, not including spring clip: 13/16 inch (20.6 mm)
  • Thickness with spring clip: 1-15/16 inches (49 mm)