On 11/13/2016 11:41 AM, trader_4 wrote:

Our 15-yr-old chest freezer's temperature varies widely. Since we
defrosted it a couple of weeks ago (and before that too) I've seen
temperatures ranging from -8F to +18F, even when set to max. cold.

Replace thermostat?

You can jump across the thermostat and observe the temperature over a set period of time. When I was working on refrigeration equipment, I used a temperature logger that recorded the temperature over time and some of my loggers even had a connection for and external event to be recorded like the compressor running or the door being open. You can get an inexpensive one from Amazon. You could find all sorts of ways to play with it.ヽ(ヅ)ノ

https://www.amazon.com/Elitech-RC-5-.../dp/B00MQSCZF2

[8~{} Uncle Ice Monster

Or even simpler, when it's too warm, is it running constantly? If so
then it's not the thermostat.

Today it's at -9.7F. When it's too warm, I still feel heat from the
vents of the compressor compartment, but I can't say I took note of
whether the compressor was actually running.

But if the compressor is defective, or the Freon is low, how would it
ever get down to -9.7F?

Perce