Refrigerator temp ????

[debnoll]

We recently purchased a 2018 AS Base campDoes anyone know the preset temperature of the refrigerator
It is a model 2351
I can’t find it anywhere
Ours is only cooling to 40 degrees on gas Or shoreline power
Any help is welcome
Thanks
Debbie

[field & stream]

You have actually opened a very complex issue. There are many variables.

Just to get you started, on the fins inside the fridge is a slider that affects (not controls) cooling — slide it up for more cooling, and down for less.

Early Basecamps are notorious for having many refrigerator problems. Use the search engine on this website, and be prepared to do a lot of reading! Best wishes for success with this.

[Rich Jenkins]

Not completely sure I understand the issue, so forgive me but: 40 degrees F sounds about right for a fridge? Especially an absorbtive one? In particular if this was in relatively hot weather?

You may know this, but: I'd try and keep it as level as possible. The ammonia solution runs up and down canted pipes in the rear, so out of level if Not A Good Thing for this type of fridge. See picture for what's going on. "Level" is kinda relative; if you are comfortable, chances are the fridge it ok. I've seen various rules of thumb but 1.5 degrees comes to mind, don't quote me tho. And of course I don't know what's actually in the Basecamp.

Second, I've found one of those small 2D cell fridge fans to be extremely helpful in keeping the air circulated. These fridges don't work by adding cold, they work by removing heat. It's weird. Anyway, maybe try a fan.

Lastly, I would leave some air gaps with the food, making sure there is some room for the air to circulate. Packing the fridge this way may reduce overall capacity but unfortunately it is kind of a juggling game you have to play.

[Josephine517]

After adding baffles and cooling fans, what really works is a small ziplock bag of ice. Our refrigerator stays at or below freezing with a small amount of ice. And since it’s so cold the refrigerator ice last a long time, a week or more.

[debnoll]

Sorry just realized i mistyped

It only gets to 42 degrees

[LilPeanut]

Ours did the same, then we realized the little blue camco fan we have had died.

Get a small refrigerator fan for the inside and put it under the fins. That helps a lot. Also slide the white tab (that has a wire clipped into it) up on the fins. That white wire is a thermistor aka thermostat. The higher the cooler.

Those 2 should help.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Yours gets to 42? Wow, that's super cold !!! ( assuming we're talking about the fridge section ....). Ours is doing well if it stays below 48 throughout the fridge after two days on with it in the 60's outside.

Yes, it depends a lot on *where* you look and how long you let it sit. If it's in the 40's to 50's out, mine will eventually get down into the low 40's / high 30's in most of the fridge area.

This is for the absorption fridge in the trailer. The compressor fridge in the van hits the 36 degree set point in under 2 hours, pretty much regardless of the weather outside ( or inside) the van. The CFX3 compressor based "ice chests" hit temperature in under an hour under most conditions.

Note: none of that is data on a Basecamp fridge. As noted, they are well known to have a whole raft of unique issues. I provide the info only as a comparison point.

Bob

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by debnoll

Sorry just realized i mistyped

It only gets to 42 degrees

What is the outside air temperature when you are seeing 42 degrees?

[richard5933]

Our Amish-built replacement cooling unit will reach the mid-40s in a few hours in the fridge and cold enough in the freezer to keep ice cream solid.

[az-streamer]

A point that should be noted: the fridge reading may not be accurate. We use two small thermometers in the fridge and freezer sections. These are more accurate than the digital readout. Pics show the difference.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by az-streamer

A point that should be noted: the fridge reading may not be accurate. We use two small thermometers in the fridge and freezer sections. These are more accurate than the digital readout. Pics show the difference.

Hi

The temp readout on ours pretty much always shows 32 or 33 degrees. The fridge temp measured with an IR thermometer will be anywhere from 38 to 52 degrees .....

Bob

[az-streamer]

Sorry about rotated pics.