The Dometic CFX3 Mega Thread

Dometic

Supporting Sponsor / Approved Vendor
Thanks for that, That's the answer I was looking for as i been asking everywhere and most people just tell me to read the manual.

I have been curious also about energy efficiency because the new CFX3s are said to be more "energy efficient" yet it is stated that for example, lets use the CFX3 35 says 0.98AH/h (Bluetooth on/WIFI off) while the older models state 0.77/AH/h. 0.2AH/h is quite the difference long term. If the bluetooth and wifi is off for the CFX3 what will be the AH/h?

What are the main differences that make the CFX3 better besides the WIFI/Bluetooth because I cannot see how its more energy efficient.

Thanks

The CFX3 is more efficient by a change we made to the way the compressor is run by the controller. We call this VMSO3, which was a recalibration of the variable speed compressor the CFX3 uses.

We also added an anti-condensation feature that prevents frost build-up where the gasket of the lid is seated. This feature is similar to the heating element a household fridge would have and increased the power consumption slightly, which is why you are seeing the data you are seeing.

Hope this helps!

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
dometic.com

Use promo code Expedition20 for $25 off your order of $75+
 

in100gramm

New member
@Dometic.

I have CFX375DZ connected directly (not through cig plug) to 315ah AGM batteries. Fully charged with solar at 14.3V.
At 13V it starts to give !warning33 error, which is low incoming voltage.
Dometic battery protection setting is set on low - it shouldn't kick out compressor until voltage drops to 10.1V , and then restarts again at 11.1 Volts. OEM cable gauge to batteries is 14AWG? 16AWG?

Since it is a common problem experienced by thousands, is Dometic willing to fix the design flaw and change 12V cable to thicker wire?
 
Last edited:

Marvintherobot

New member
@Dometic.

I have CFX375DZ connected directly (not through cig plug) to 315ah AGM batteries. Fully charged with solar at 14.3V.
At 13V it starts to give !warning33 error, which is low incoming voltage.
have same issue on cfx395dz. and "clunk" sound when it tries to start. seems like huge drop in voltage in the wire?
love the fridge, but what;s the solution?
 

Dometic

Supporting Sponsor / Approved Vendor
For the two previous posts - what are you plugging the Dometic plug into? How long a run do you have from the power source, and what type of cabling or other accessories do you have hanging off that same circuit?

The reason I ask is that we hear this a lot when customers are plugging into OEM power outlets in their vehicles. It doesn't sound like you are using any type of OEM-based wiring but length of run, type of wiring used, etc., can add to a voltage drop and kick-off warnings.

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
dometic.com

Use promo code Expedition20 for $25 off your order of $75+
 

in100gramm

New member
For the two previous posts - what are you plugging the Dometic plug into? How long a run do you have from the power source, and what type of cabling or other accessories do you have hanging off that same circuit?

I am using the original Dometic OEM DC cable that came in the box with cfx375dz.
The only modification- I removed the cigarette lighter plug and connected the ends directly to the 12V battery. There is nothing else on the circuit.
 

ormandj

New member
@Dometic i finally received my CFX3 55IM + protective cover. It seems like a great unit! I do have a question about the performance. I setup thermocouples in various areas of the fridge after I noticed a difference in temperature above the compressor (tortillas seemed slightly softer, hilariously), and see that the temperature in the fridge is not consistent across the entire space when the set temp is -18C. I am testing while the unit is stored indoors, on AC power.

The left is warmer than the middle, and the middle is warmer than the right. There's a delta of 1.6C from left to right. The thermocouples are in open top Pyrex dishes filled with water, at the same height. I’ve repeated the test multiple times with the same results. See the attached 24 hour graph, started when the water was at ~0C.

Is this expected/normal?
 

Attachments

  • cfx3-temp.png
    cfx3-temp.png
    130.9 KB · Views: 16
Last edited:

ormandj

New member
@Dometic I tested with a set point of -19C and find the same approximate differential (1.7 vs 1.6C). Here’s a 24 hour measurement after the -18C to -19C set point change.

Is this expected/within tolerance?
 

Attachments

  • A2A8E45A-0699-4AE5-9DC1-F2F2EF88BA20.jpeg
    A2A8E45A-0699-4AE5-9DC1-F2F2EF88BA20.jpeg
    169 KB · Views: 9

Dometic

Supporting Sponsor / Approved Vendor
@Dometic I tested with a set point of -19C and find the same approximate differential (1.7 vs 1.6C). Here’s a 24 hour measurement after the -18C to -19C set point change.

Is this expected/within tolerance?

Hi - there is no air circulation in the zone, so the variation you are seeing is normal and nothing to be concerned about (y)

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
dometic.com

Use promo code Expedition20 for $25 off your order of $75+
 

Dometic

Supporting Sponsor / Approved Vendor
Our Black Friday sale is on!

Save up to 20% off now on our CFX3 coolers, PLB40s, hardwire kits, ice chests, solar kits, drinkware, and more. Plus...free shipping!

Also, if you happen to have a Ford or GM-based expedition build, we also have our console fridges on sale at 20% off ?

09-0911-091106-091106001_9600027668_86932.jpg

Happy Black Friday shopping!

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
dometic.com
 

Dometic

Supporting Sponsor / Approved Vendor
We got a question over on another forum about thermistor replacement parts for CFX, CFX3, and CF coolers. I thought it would be helpful to share here in the event you find the need to replace a thermister in your cooler.

The connectors are different, so make sure the correct sensor for the correct generation is ordered. We recommend using Allvolts in Australia. They ship quickly, and prices are fair.

NTC SENSORS

CFX3 & CFF
NTC assy. terminal shape:
cfx3andcff.jpg
Dometic Component NumberFactory Part NumberDescriptionComment
445002185222-3B-103F035ANTC ASSEMBLY 0.35mCFX325, CFF12, CFF20, CFX100W
445002166822-3B-103F070BNTC ASSEMBLY 0.7mCFX335, CFX345, CFX355IM, CFX355, CFF35, CFF4
445002166822-3B-103F070BNTC ASSEMBLY 0,7mCFX375DZ, CFX395DZ, CFF70DZ
445002166722-3B-103F100ENTC ASSEMBLY 1mCFX375DZ, CFX395DZ, CFF70DZ

CFX, CFXW & CF
NTC assy. terminal shape:
cfxcfxwandcf.jpg

Dometic Component NumberFactory Part NumberDescriptionComment
445000899622-3B-103F059NTC Assembly 0.59mCFX28
445000198322-3B-103F100DNTC ASSEMBLY 1mCFX35W, CFX40W, CFX50W, CFX65W, CFX65DZ, CF40, CF50, CF60
445001219622-3B-103F070ANTC Assembly 0.7mCFX75W, CFX95DZW SMALL SIDE
445000198322-3B-103F100DNTC ASSEMBLY 1mCFX75W, CFX95DZW LARGE SIDE
445100429322-3B-103F086ANTC ASSEMBLY 0.86mCF18
445100429122-3B-103F080ANTC ASSEMBLY 0.8mCF11

Cheers!

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
dometic.com
 
Last edited:

itllgrowback

New member
I have a Dometic CFX3 55IM being fed by a 54Ah Dakota Lithium LiFePO4 battery, and a question about the battery protection settings:

A LiFePO4 battery should not be discharged lower than 20% SOC, to best preserve capacity over time. 20% SOC of a 12v LiFePO4 battery is something around 12.9v, 10% is something like 12.8v, and after that you drop quickly to 0% at something like 10.5v. So to best protect a LiFePO4 battery, the voltage should never drop much below 12.9v.

(Attached images with specs taken from https://climatebiz.com/lifepo4-state-of-charge-charts/)

The problem is that the highest battery protection offered on the Dometic is an 11.8v cutoff. That's something like 5% SOC on a LiFePO4 battery, and far below the recommended discharge level. The restart voltage in that High setting is 12.6v, still well below the recommended 20% discharge floor.

At Low battery protection settings as recommended by Dometic, you won't reach cutoff until a LiFePO4 battery is fully discharged (100% discharged).

So what can we do to protect our LiFePO4 batteries if the most protective mode of the Dometic still allows them to be discharged far below their specified discharge floor?

The Victron gear I use for charging and battery monitoring allows for precise voltage settings at every stage of the process, and if the Dometic app would allow us to change those battery protection parameters, that would be ideal. At the very least, offering presets tailored to different battery types is necessary, because the discharge characteristics of a Lithium battery are very different from those of a Lead-acid battery.

If you use a dual battery set up (in vehicle or one of our PLB40s) set battery protection to LOW.



Below is information showing at what points the battery protection for the CFX3 will kick in and shut the cooler down as well as in what range it will happily run.

View attachment 564821

EDIT: cleared up some potentially confusing SOC/Discharge usage for consistency.
 

Attachments

  • 12V-graph-2-1024x669.jpg
    12V-graph-2-1024x669.jpg
    44.6 KB · Views: 6
  • SOC vs Voltage LiFePO4.JPG
    SOC vs Voltage LiFePO4.JPG
    46 KB · Views: 7
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
185,529
Messages
2,875,555
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top