--- title: "CellarCool dEF: the unit is defrosting its coil" description: "What dEF means on CellarCool dEF: the unit is defrosting its coils, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all." url: "https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-def/" --- # CellarCool dEF: the unit is defrosting its coil dEF, shown as Def on the CX, is CellarCool's defrost display. ## What dEF actually means. dEF, shown as Def on the CX, is CellarCool's defrost display. On Ceiling Mount, split and Ultimate units a cycle starts when the evaporator probe holds at 26°F for a minute. The CX works on time instead: after two hours of compressor running it stops for five minutes with the dripping snowflake shown. Both return to cooling by themselves. CellarCool wine cellar cooling unit display · also shown as Def, “Def”, “dEF” What to do when dEF shows on the wine cellar cooling unit ### Kind of code Mode, not a failure Something the controller was told to do, not a part that wore out: a display switched between Fahrenheit and Celsius so 13 looks alarming, a set point or differential changed by someone leaning on the keys, a keypad lock that ignores every press, a standby state left on after a power cut, a reminder that service is due. The unit is fine, and the controller's own keys or its manual put it back. ### Usually leads to No repair No action is needed during a defrost. ### Shows up as Cellar Cooling Evaporator Coil Icing Up A cellar cooling coil icing up shows as white frost behind the cellar-side grille, weak air from the unit, water dripping when it goes quiet, and a room that warms while the unit keeps running. ### Make CellarCool Service for CellarCool systems when the wine room drifts warm, turns dry or the unit starts and stops every few minutes. ### Source CellarCool CM2500 (Ceiling Mount split) manual, version 4 (02/2022) Both CellarCool controller types: the CX through-the-wall controller and the digital controller on Ceiling Mount, split and Ultimate models. ## Before you book, in this order. Each step comes from CellarCool's own guidance for dEF on its wine cellar cooling units. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit. 01 No action is needed during a defrost. 02 If defrost seems to run far more often than before, clean the evaporator filter and check the air paths. 03 If an Ad2 alarm appears, follow that code instead. ### Cleared? The controller has stopped showing the code and the cellar is drifting back to its set point without any new part. If the code returns within the week, or the room creeps warm again, book a visit and tell us it came back. ### What not to do dEF is normal operation, not a code about a failed part. On a CX the timed defrost will happen even when the coil has no frost. ## What you may notice with it. The wine cellar cooling unit problems dEF tends to arrive with. Answer these at the wine cellar cooling unit before anyone is booked. [All problems](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/) Before you call ### [Cellar Cooling Evaporator Coil Icing Up](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/evaporator-coil-icing-up/) [All 5 causes, cheapest first](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/evaporator-coil-icing-up/) It also comes with - [**Cellar Cooling Unit Error Code**](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-cooling-unit-error-code/) Problem ### Cellar Cooling Evaporator Coil Icing Up 5 causes, cheapest first No repair indicated ## Nothing to repair. Something the controller was told to do, not a part that wore out: a display switched between Fahrenheit and Celsius so 13 looks alarming, a set point or differential changed by someone leaning on the keys, a keypad lock that ignores every press, a standby state left on after a power cut, a reminder that service is due. The unit is fine, and the controller's own keys or its manual put it back. [How to read what your wine cellar cooling unit is telling you](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-cooling-unit-error-code/) ## CellarCool wine cellar cooling units. Service for CellarCool systems when the wine room drifts warm, turns dry or the unit starts and stops every few minutes. [CellarCool wine cellar cooling unit repair](https://winecellarrepair.center/brands/cellarcool/) More CellarCool codes [E1](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-e1/) [E2](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-e2/) [E7](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-e7/) [E10](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-e10/) [EA](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-ea/) [AH1](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-ah1/) [AL1](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-al1/) [Ad2](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-ad2/) Mode, not a failure on other makes [WhisperKOOL dEF](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/whisperkool-def/) [Wine-Mate dF](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-df/) [All 4 codes of this kind](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/#family-mode) CellarCool builds this ### Through-the-wall cellar cooling unit A self-contained box set into an opening in the cellar wall: its cold face blows into the wine room, and its warm face breathes out into the room next door. CellarCool builds this ### Ducted cellar cooling unit A self-contained cooling unit placed outside the cellar, in a mechanical room, attic or basement, that sends chilled air in and takes return air back through insulated ducts. CellarCool builds this ### Split-system cellar cooling An evaporator inside or beside the cellar and a condensing unit outside or in another room, joined by an insulated copper line set and charged on site. ## In CellarCool's own words > Anti-Frost Cycle is running, “dEF” will be displayed on the screen. [CellarCool CM2500 (Ceiling Mount split) manual, version 4 (02/2022)](https://www.cellarcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CC_CM2500_Manual_110V_022522.pdf) [CellarCool CX Series owner's manual (06/2019)](https://www.cellarcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CC-CX_Series-OM-061219.pdf) [CellarCool CM2500 (Ceiling Mount split) manual, version 4 (02/2022)](https://www.cellarcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CC_CM2500_Manual_110V_022522.pdf) Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Both CellarCool controller types: the CX through-the-wall controller and the digital controller on Ceiling Mount, split and Ultimate models. ## CellarCool dEF wine cellar cooling unit repair, where we come out. The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered. 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No action is needed during a defrost. ### Why does my CellarCool CX stop cooling every two hours? That is its scheduled Anti-Frost cycle: after two hours of compressor time it rests for five minutes, then resumes. ### Is the CellarCool fan supposed to run during dEF? On Ceiling Mount and split models, yes; the evaporator fan runs to melt frost while the compressor is off. On the CX the fans stop too. ### How long does a CellarCool defrost take? The CX rests for five minutes. The other controllers end the cycle once the coil warms, and log Ad2 if it times out first. --- **[Read on the site: CellarCool dEF: the unit is defrosting its coil](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-def/)** **[Book a visit with WineCellarRepair.center](https://winecellarrepair.center/schedule/)**