Dome Wine Cooler - Won't Cool

[bw2010]

Hello,

I have just bought a 28 bottle Dome Wine Cooler.

It has been plugged in and running for 3 nights and 2 days and has still not reached an acceptable temperature.

The manual states that:

the high setting ranges between 14-16 degrees. Once it reaches 16 degrees the cooling unit turns on.
the low setting ranges between 9-10.5 degrees. Once it reaches 10.5 degrees the cooling unit turns on.

Anyway the fan has been going full capacity day and night and the thermometer I placed inside the unit reads a minimum temperature of 18 degrees. Not only is it frustrating because it will not cool down and won't be able to sustain a suitable temperature range, but also will use a hell of a lot of power and noise from the cooling fan constantly on.

The unit has plenty of ventilation space between other items and the wall. I am not opening the door of the unit - reading the thermometer with torch through glass front.

I have tried calling the company but had to get off the phone after 20 minutes on hold. So unfortunately I have packed it all up in the box and returning it to the store...

Has anyone else had this issue with wine coolers or have any helpful info or suggestions etc...

Thanks Heaps.

[TiggerK]

I'd be fairly sure it's faulty.

How was it transported?? If they are moved while on their sides, it can damage the compressor if turned on too soon.

Either way, it's a no go and take it back. One of my fridges failed, similar issue, just would never cool down and ran constantly. Was too expensive to fix.

Cheers
TiggerK

[bw2010]

Thanks for the reply!

I am pretty sure the Dome is Thermoelectric Cooling and does not have a compressor but It wasn't turned on straight away.

I am returning the unit, so I will keep posted on how the replacement unit performs.

[griff]

If there aren't any bottles in there yet then its busted. If you have loaded it up before turning it on the jury is still out as it CAN take that long to cool down due to heat inertia of all the wine. Especially if it is in warm surroundings. Also try dialing the knob the other way. Maybe you are on the high setting? Good Luck.

cheers

Carl

[Scrooge]

The thermoelectric wine fridges with the exception of the excellent Kitchener models are only capable of maintaining a fairly limited temperature differential compared with the room temperature. If the room the fridge is in is too hot the fridge will not be able to get down to suitable temperatures. The specifications for the fridge may have some information about this.

Depending where you live (and whether you have aircon) this could be the problem.

[DerekJ]

Those things have limited capability to cool, maybe 10 below ambient. I have returned one that died after 6 months, however the replacement unit is still going strong after 12 months. It is cheap, so dont expect too much from it and you should be happy.

[bw2010]

I have returned it and got a replacement which seems to be cooling down better.

It got down to 11 degrees on the lowest setting (which is meant to be 9-10.5 degrees) so that is definitely much better than the original unit. My only concern is that the cooling fan is constantly running day and night as the fridge is trying to reach below 10.5 degrees as the cooling unit switches off at this temperature or below. This must be using a lot of power just trying to cool all the time but only maintaining the temperature.
I hate to think how much power it is consuming!!!

[griff]

I have returned it and got a replacement which seems to be cooling down better.

It got down to 11 degrees on the lowest setting (which is meant to be 9-10.5 degrees) so that is definitely much better than the original unit. My only concern is that the cooling fan is constantly running day and night as the fridge is trying to reach below 10.5 degrees as the cooling unit switches off at this temperature or below. This must be using a lot of power just trying to cool all the time but only maintaining the temperature.
I hate to think how much power it is consuming!!!

That sounds fine. You don't want to go down that low though. 13 degrees at a minimum and anything up to 15.5 degrees is fine. Also take note of what others mention about ensuring the surroundings aren't too warm. It may help to tape cardboard or silver insulation to the glass door to improve insulation.

cheers

Carl

[Michael McNally]

I have returned it and got a replacement which seems to be cooling down better.

It got down to 11 degrees on the lowest setting (which is meant to be 9-10.5 degrees) so that is definitely much better than the original unit. My only concern is that the cooling fan is constantly running day and night as the fridge is trying to reach below 10.5 degrees as the cooling unit switches off at this temperature or below. This must be using a lot of power just trying to cool all the time but only maintaining the temperature.
I hate to think how much power it is consuming!!!

If it is empty it will struggle to keep the temp low. It possibly needs the thermal mass of the bottles inside to help regulate the temperature. Once the bottles get down to the required temp they wil help the fridge to maintain it.

Hope this helps

Michael

PS I like the post about managing your expectations!

[milky]

It was from a tip from this forum (or another), that I went and got myself the same Dome 28 bottle wine cooler/fridge from Target, just prior to the new year.

From as far as I can see/feel, it's working quite well. I had it running for 1+ hr before filling it with bottles of wine. Today was a stinking hot day in Adelaide, and my area had a power outage around 1 pm! That got me a little worried about the wines in the fridge...

Now, I've been thinking of getting a thermometer to fix inside to get a reading, or even that USB stick that some have bandied around that takes daily temperatures & humidity. Anyone can advise how much that USB stick thing would cost, and where to buy it (other than online)?

Cheers.
Ray

[daz]

Probably from the same factory as the Domes, one of my Mountbase 28btl coolers ceased cooling a few months ago. FIIK what happened, it used to work fine.

daz

[jafa]

Now, I've been thinking of getting a thermometer to fix inside to get a reading........................
Cheers. Ray

I have several of these (one on each cabinet). Do the trick for me as I have solid doors, so using the probe
I get the interior temp without having to open door, and as long as the interior and exterior temps are different
then

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... rm=KEYWORD

cheers jafa.