Answers to frequently asked questions:
What size fuse is in the tip of the 12V plug?
Fuse ratings can vary between models. The correct fuse size is indicated on the 12V Plug label.
How do I swap the lid direction?
Simply open the lid in a continuous motion through the end point of the hinge. The lid will pop right off. Remove the hinge socket dress discs on the other side, use a 4mm Allen Key tool to remove the hinge pins and swap to the other side, then re-fit the dress discs to the original hinge side. If you have a CFX3 protective cover installed, you do not need to remove it.
What is the password to connect for the first time, or after resetting to factory settings?
The factory default password is 8 zeros: 00000000
Can the rapid freeze plate freeze food or other items?
Yes! This is why we don’t call it just an ice maker. To remove the ice maker just lift out the entire component. Experiment with bringing new foods or drinks along or use it to quick-chill warm beer. If something gets stuck on the surface shut the ice maker off and let it thaw. If you need to clean it off, use warm, soapy water. Let us know what you use it for! Use #CFX355IM
Dometic's specs call out rated current and energy consumption. What's the difference between these and how do I calculate how much power a CFX3 will draw?
The energy consumption specification is the average amount of ampere hours (Ah) that the unit will use on 12V for a given ambient and set internal temperature. To figure out how long the CFX3 will operate on a 12V battery, simply divide the battery’s usable Ah capacity (See Battery Capacity Chemistry Note) by the CFX3’s average energy consumption (Ah/h) to get approximate number of hours it will run. Battery Chemistry Note: lead-acid batteries have a 50% usable capacity of the stated Ah capacity, lithium NMC’s are roughly 80% and lithium iron phosphates lime the Dometic PLB40 are nearly 100%.The Rated Input Current is the maximum current input that the unit is rated. Think of this as the maximum current that the unit would ever draw. This spec is applicable for wiring if you are doing a DIY electrical setup. We recommend using 12 AWG wiring in any DIY setup.Also, check out our upcoming tech page for more power consumption specs at different ambient and internal temperatures to get a feel for how much power your CFX3 will need at different temperatures.
My CFX3 says “!ALERT – VOLTAGE LOW” even though its plugged in. What do I do?
Your CFX3 has a 3-stage battery protection system that actively monitors inbound DC voltage and will turn off the cooler if it senses low voltage. This feature is designed primarily to prevent the cooler from draining your vehicle’s starter battery and leaving you stranded while out on the road. It also prevents damage to accessory batteries. The battery protection system has three levels: we recommend High or Medium for applications where the CFX is running from your starter battery, and Low when its running from an accessory or dual battery.If your battery protection is set to a recommended setting and the CFX still won’t turn on, try setting the system to one level lower – eg from High to Med. Do not use splitters, pigtails or extensions. Each of these can create more line loss (DC voltage decreases along the length of a cable) which will cause lower voltage at the socket.
*****NOTE:
When electricity (current) flows from a battery, the voltage of the battery reduces. This is known as Peukert’s Law, and commonly referred to as the voltage when battery is “under load”. This is important to understand when troubleshooting voltage issues because the CFX3 is not using the “no load” battery voltage for the 3-stage battery protection system, but rather the voltage when the compressor is running, and battery is under load. This means that your vehicle battery may read a full 12.8V at the terminals, but when the CFX3 compressor turns on, your voltage readings will drop, and then return to the original voltage when the compressor shuts off.
The voltage drop from the battery to the CFX3 is also an important consideration. Voltage is measured at the internal electronics, then calculated to equate to the voltage at the DC Plug at the end of the DC lead. This value is displayed on the CFX3 display, and in the CFX3 app.
I lost/broke my power cord. How can I get a new one or another part?
Check out dometic.com for all your replacement part needs.
What are the recommended temperatures for refrigerating and freezing?
We recommend 5F for freezing and 39F for refrigeration for optimized performance vs energy consumption. Note - even small increases/decreases in internal temperature settings can affect energy consumption.
Can the CFX3 keep food warm in cold ambient temperatures?
No, the CFX3 models cannot actively keep things warm, but if switched off they will keep food from freezing for some time due to the insulation.
I'm upgrading from an ice chest. What size should I get?
One of the best things about upgrading to a powered cooler or fridge freezer is how much more interior storage space you have to work with vs an ice chest. In a normal ice chest, you need to fill it with roughly 50% ice vs “stuff” in order to keep it cold. This means you can buy a CFX that is half (1/2) the size of your current ice chest or buy the same size and hold twice (2X) as much.
What type of power does the CFX3 need?
CFX3 can be used anywhere in the world and can be powered with 12-24VDC, or 100-240V AC @ 50/60Hz.
What does the "!WARNING XX" mean?
Please connect to your CFX3 with your app to learn more about the warning. You can also navigate to the product page and find a warning codes table in the operating manual.
Can the handles on the CFX3 be removed?
Yes. Take the handles off by simply removing the screws with a 5mm Allen Key
