Hey all - I'm looking at a remote thermometer setup for outages so I know when I need to kick on the genny.  I like the idea of a wired unit so there's less batteries to replace just when I actually need the thing to work, but wireless would probably be smarter since there would be no wires to compromise the door seals.

I found this one on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-Refrigerator-Freezer-Wireless-Thermometer/dp/B004QJVU78

Any better ideas/feedback?  And do you all just run yours all the time or wait until you actually need it?

Thanks all.

I bought the Chaney Instrument 00985 3 years ago and have been happy with it.  The Acurite number is 00986 so must be related.

It's been running since I bought it.  I've only changed the batteries in the display twice.  The lithiums in sending units in the freezers are still going fine.  I shut off the alarms and just check the display when I get into the fridge 20 times a day.

Sounds like a plan - thanks Croq!

That's what I have, one in a chest freezer and another in the fridge freezer.
Works well. Got it last fall when I got my chest freezer

This wont help with your genny situation but I'll add it here for someone else who might need a stop gap solution.

I was worried about power outages with the fridge/freezer at our deer lease. I didnt know about the actual options for something like this so I filled a 20oz coke bottle half full and put it in the freezer on its side. After it froze, I stood it upright. The frozen water filled half the bottle from 12 to 6.

I figured if I ever lost power on a significant scale while I was away the water would melt, pool at the bottom and then refreeze when power came back. Just a redneck "tattletale" to let me know about a power loss and suspect food.

Used it for a couple years. Eventually the ice sublimates and you need to refresh the water for accuracy sake. Never had a problem and one time it actually indicated a power outage had occurred while we were away so we chucked the stuff and called it good.

Edited - we didn't keep tons of expensive foods on hand in the fridge in camp. Usually just a bunch of condiments,  hot dogs & hamburger,  some breakfast sausage.  Stuff like that, so throwing the stuff out wasn't a big deal vs risking food poisoning. For a BOL fridges full of expensive stuff you cant or dont want to replace, this isnt the best solution

Brilliant idea!  Will add that to my collection.