ARB Fridge temp fluctuation?

[sixstringsteve]

I have a new ARB fridge and I'm surprised to see the temps fluctuate by as much as +/-5* F. is that normal? For example, I'll plug it into the wall at home, set it to 20*F, then when I come back it'll be anywhere from 23* to 15*. It can change as much as 4* within 2 min. Is this normal? Also, it takes super cold temps to freeze otter pops. They don't freeze at 20*F, but they do freeze when I've got it down to 5*.

Perhaps it was shipped with low refrigerant?

I did this as a test before relying on it for a trip. It's empty except for 5 otter pops.

 

[mesha]

Empty fridges do fluctuate more than full fridges.

That being said I haven't noticed mine having such a huge swing in temp unless I open the lid. I have noticed that they don't freeze things well unless they are set way colder than they should be.

In reality Kurt will actually know. I am just making guesses.

 

[frieed]

I haven't noticed mine fluctuating quite that much, but it does some. Mine also need to be set lower than you would think

 

[sixstringsteve]

thanks for chiming in guys

 

[Rot Box]

Whether is is super hot outside or cool mine goes back and forth between 29 and 31ºF. Once in awhile it will overshoot and cool to 27º... I hope I'm wrong but based off that I don't think the temps you are seeing are normal. I've never set mine below 29ºF. Hope this helps.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Darn. My temps were in my house, where the temp never varies by more than 4*. And it definitely doesn't vary by 4* every 30 seconds.

 

[Kevin B.]

Obviously it's defective. I'll give you $50 for it.

 

[skippy]

Obviously it's defective. I'll give you $50 for it.

Only high rollers have ARB fridges........

 

[mesha]

Only high rollers have ARB fridges........

skippy has 2

 

[Skylinerider]

It sounds like those fluctuations are because it's cycling on and off normally, personally I'd fill it with a weekends worth of pop/water/whatever and let it cool and see if that helps keep the temp more constant. And Otter Pops are notorious for needing very cold temps to freeze, I had some in my house freezer that were still liquid 3 days after I put them in even though everything else was frozen solid.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Good to know, thanks Curt!

 

[Kiel]

yeah mine does that when it doesn't have anything in it, obviously you need more beer in your house

 

[sixstringsteve]

yeah, neither my house nor my fridge have much beer in them.

 

[DAA]

What Curt said. Empty isn't normal, so not a good test anyway, but it also makes for ease of rapid fluctuations due to lack of thermal mass. Fill it as normal. Less air. More mass at temp. It won't fluctuate like that anymore.

Did I get that right Davy?

- DAA

 

[TRD270]

I keep mine set at 27 doesn't seem to bounce much unless I add a bunch warm stuff to it. And 27 on mine I start getting waters to partial freeze inside

 

[cruiseroutfit]

What Curt said. Empty isn't normal, so not a good test anyway, but it also makes for ease of rapid fluctuations due to lack of thermal mass. Fill it as normal. Less air. More mass at temp. It won't fluctuate like that anymore...

Bingo, air is a horrible thermal conductor. Load the fridge as if you were using it and your temps will regulate and the unit will have to operate more sparingly. Who sends you home with a fridge and doesn't know this kind of stuff?

 

[sixstringsteve]

cool. I'll throw some food in it this weekend and see how it does.

 

[sLcREX]

I had the same issue with mine and I thought I had a bad unit at first too. But after talking with Bryce we figured out I just needed to load it up with food or drinks and let the temps come down to their designated temp and I no longer had fluctuations either. And sitting in my room empty and on it will run up and down every 20 minutes or less between 27-31 when I had mine set to 29. But like everyone said, once it's loaded with food it keeps it's temperature steady for hours even. Love it!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I filled mine halfway and it still fluctuated. It sounds like I need to fill it all the way, which is a bummer for overnighters.

 

[Jesser04]

I filled mine halfway and it still fluctuated. It sounds like I need to fill it all the way, which is a bummer for overnighters.

Why? I'm sure it will still keep stuff cold.