Temp Trouble With ARB

[andytruck]

I am on my 2nd ARB 50 this week. The first would not get anywhere near cooling, so had to set it 20 degrees lower. I returned it.

The current ARB 50 qt I have set at 31F, and my home thermometer confirms it is close, but the digital ARB readout says 24, yet there is wet condensation on the sides inside the container indicating that it is not freezing inside. I have wads of plastic bags filling about half the void. The first cooler I had filled with real food for a long weekend.
I have tried other temp setting also with no luck.
My concern is does the thermometer work? I need to be able to set and monitor the inside temps so I don't freeze my produce or spoil foods if it is too warm inside.
What is the issue with my ARB? Is there something I need to know?
Strange I have two units defective, so I'm looking for answers other than defects.
thanks

 

[TacomaAustin]

Try to calibrate the digital readout

I don't have an ARB fridge - but I do know that you can calibrate the read out.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/146117-ARB-Fridge-Testing?p=1893239#post1893239

http://norcalrovers.org/forum/index.php?/topic/3107-arb-fridge-calibration/

By the way, I never run my Indel B TB-41A fridge with a ton of empty space. As I use up food - I fill the void with small bottles of water.

 

[NatersXJ6]

if you expect it to work like your kitchen fridge, you have misguided expectation. there is no forced air, so it won't rapidly chill or freeze like that. I use my digital read out as more of a guideline, mine always has moisture on the walls, even when all or most of the water inside is frozen. I actually threw a disposable diaper inside to absorb moisture (note, use a fresh diaper). It sort of worked, but not totally.

I would recommend that you fill it with water bottles, turn it all the way down, and plug it in to 110v for about 3 days. The water should start to freeze. Mine will freeze water bottles, in the Jeep, on 100 plus degree days, but it takes weeks to actually freeze.

You may also have issues with supply voltage and the fridge turning off when the vehicle isn't running.

It doesn't take much to make these things work well, and I doubt you will freeze produce or spoil food, they just don't make that fast of temp swings.

Think mass, you need mass inside to keep the temperatures even.

There are lots of threads about this in the camping equipment section.

Good Luck.

 

[andytruck]

Thanks, Nowhere in the manual does it mention calibration. This would have been good to know before I sent the first one back, it was about 15 off. I was time-pressed since I am headed on trip in a few days and had to act.
Does anyone know where the temperature if taken from on the ARB? At the floor, sides??? This would be vital information since this fridge seems to require intuition…