IKA RC 2 basic, Recirculating Chiller, 400 W Cooling Capacity, -20 °C, 0004171000
€3,196.50
% Manufacturer's RRP: €4,262.00 25% below manufacturer's RRP
Available, delivery time: 3-10 working days
- Recirculating chiller with a cooling capacity of up to 400 W at 20 °C
- Refrigerant R134a, safety group A1 in accordance with DIN EN 378-1 (non-flammable)
- Temperature stability ±0.1 K according to DIN 12876
- Working temperature range down to minus 20 °C
- Pressure/suction pump with a flow rate of up to 18 l/min
- Available immediately from stock; production ceased on 31.07.2026
- Spare parts and repairs ensured for at least 10 years according to IKA
Product information "IKA RC 2 basic, Recirculating Chiller, 400 W Cooling Capacity, -20 °C, 0004171000"
Not every laboratory cooling application requires the latest refrigerant; some require, above all, availability and a tried-and-tested, non-flammable refrigerant. The IKA RC 2 basic recirculating chiller delivers up to 400 watts of cooling capacity at 20 °C and operates with the refrigerant R134a, which is classified in safety group A1 and is therefore non-flammable. This unit is a discontinued model and is offered from existing stock; it is available immediately, with no lead time.
Cooling capacity from room temperature down to minus 20 °C
As expected, the cooling capacity of the RC 2 basic decreases as the target temperature falls: 400 watts at 20 degrees, 370 watts at 10 degrees, 320 watts at 0 degrees, 240 watts at minus 10 degrees and 130 watts at minus 20 °C. The working temperature range extends from minus 20 °C to room temperature; with an external heater, the bath can also be operated at temperatures up to 80 °C. Temperature is controlled via a PT100 sensor; temperature stability is ±0.1 Kelvin according to DIN 12876.
Refrigerant and availability
Refrigerant R134a (HFC-134a), charge 230 g, corresponding to 0.33 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, GWP 1430, safety group A1 in accordance with DIN EN 378-1 (non-flammable).
The RC 2 basic is a discontinued model: IKA ceased production on 31 July 2026, and only existing stock is available. Its successor is the IKA RC 2 GREEN basic, which uses the refrigerant R290 and, according to IKA, offers approximately double the cooling capacity.
Anyone who requires the 400-watt cooling capacity of the RC 2 basic, and nothing more, will receive a unit with a spare parts commitment of at least ten years according to IKA, available immediately from stock. Please contact us if you would like to compare both variants for your application.
Recirculating chiller, circulating thermostat or heating bath: the right design
Within the IKA temperature control unit range, three different designs can be distinguished: pure recirculating chillers, such as the RC 2 basic, are designed solely for cooling; cooling and heating circulation thermostats, such as the HRC-2 series, provide both cooling and heating in a single unit; and heating baths provide heating without an active cooling function. The following overview compares the cooling capacity at various target temperatures:
| Model | Design | 20 °C | 0 °C | -20 °C | Refrigerant |
| RC 2 basic (this product) | Recirculating chiller | 400 W | 320 W | 130 W | R134a |
| RC 2 lite | Recirculating chiller | 400 W | 250 W | Not specified (minimum -10 °C) | R290 |
| HRC 2 lite | Circulating thermostat | 400 W | 250 W | 100 W (at -10 °C) | R290 |
RC 2 basic compared to RC 2 lite and the HRC-2 series
With a minimum operating temperature of minus 20 °C, the RC 2 basic covers the lowest working temperature range of the recirculating chiller sizes in this power class currently available from us. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a unit using the R290 refrigerant, you will find this in the slightly more compact IKA RC 2 lite. If the same unit needs to provide active heating as well as cooling, the IKA HRC 2 lite is suitable.
Typical applications
According to the manufacturer, the RC 2 basic is suitable as an external closed-circuit cooling source for, amongst other things, cooling external equipment such as:
- Laboratory reactors
- Calorimeters
- Incubation shakers
- Rotary evaporators, such as the IKA RV 10 digital V-C or the IKA RV 3 V-C
Connection, installation and ongoing operation
The integrated pressure/suction pump achieves a maximum flow rate of 18 l per minute at a maximum pump pressure of 0.3 bar on the pressure side and 0.2 bar on the suction side. The internal bath has a capacity of between 1.4 and 4.0 l. RS232 and USB interfaces are available for connection to a PC or process control system. The housing is protected to IP 21 in accordance with DIN EN 60529; it can be connected to either 230 or 115 volts at 50 or 60 hertz.
Why now: End of production and selecting the correct cooling capacity
IKA has discontinued production of the RC 2 basic with effect from 31 July 2026. Consequently, only existing stock is still available; further orders are no longer possible, and the current stock is the last batch available. When selecting the appropriate cooling capacity, the target temperature is the key factor: if a cooling bath at around 0 °C is sufficient, 320 watts of cooling capacity is still available; it is only at minus 20 °C that the capacity drops to 130 watts. For applications that regularly require temperatures below minus 10 °C, the RC 2 basic, with its operating range extending down to minus 20 °C, is one of the few options we offer in this performance class.
Technical details
| Unit type | Recirculating chiller |
| Working temperature range | -20 °C to room temperature (up to 80 °C with external heating) |
| Temperature stability (DIN 12876) | ±0.1 K |
| Temperature sensor | PT100 |
| Cooling capacity at 20 / 10 / 0 / -10 / -20 °C | 400 / 370 / 320 / 240 / 130 W |
| Refrigerant | R134a (HFC-134a), fluorinated greenhouse gas |
| GWP (refrigerant) | 1430 |
| Refrigerant charge | 230 g |
| CO2 equivalent | 0.33 t |
| Refrigerant safety group (DIN EN 378-1) | A1 (non-flammable) |
| Pump type | Pressure/suction pump |
| Max. pump pressure (discharge / suction side) | 0.3 bar / 0.2 bar |
| Max. flow rate | 18 l/min |
| Filling volume (bath tank) | 1.4 to 4.0 l |
| Interfaces | RS232, USB |
| IP rating according to DIN EN 60529 | IP 21 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 220 x 475 x 525 mm |
| Weight | 31.26 kg |
| Voltage / Frequency / Connected load | 230/115 V, 50/60 Hz, 300 W |
Scope of delivery
- 1 x IKA RC 2 basic recirculating chiller (ID No. 0004171000)
Regulatory information
As an electrical appliance, the RC 2 basic is subject to the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) and is registered with the EAR Foundation under WEEE registration number DE 66784213. At the end of its service life, the appliance must not be disposed of with household waste, but must be taken to a separate collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment.
According to the manufacturer's labelling, the unit is labelled as a hermetically sealed system containing the fluorinated greenhouse gas R134a (HFC-134a); the full refrigerant specifications (GWP, charge quantity, CO2 equivalent) are set out in the Technical details table above. The refrigerant must be professionally recovered by an authorised refrigerant recovery operator prior to disposal.
Frequently asked questions about the RC 2 basic
What does the F-Gas Regulation mean for operating the RC 2 basic?
The refrigerant data are given in the Technical details table: R134a, charge 230 g, GWP 1430, 0.33 t of CO2 equivalent, safety group A1. The assessment for your operation depends on your obligations as an operator. We will gladly provide you with the manufacturer's information and the data sheet.
Has production of the RC 2 basic already ceased?
Yes. IKA ceased production on 31 July 2026. Only existing stock is still available; further purchases are no longer possible.
Will I still be able to obtain spare parts and repair services for the RC 2 basic after it has been discontinued?
Yes. According to IKA, the following applies to all discontinued units in this series: the availability of spare parts and repair services will continue to be ensured for at least 10 years.
Is there a successor model using a different refrigerant?
Yes, the IKA RC 2 GREEN basic uses the natural refrigerant R290 and, according to IKA, offers approximately double the cooling capacity of the RC 2 basic. Please contact us if you would like to compare both variants for your application.
Individual requirements and procurement service
Our procurement service is here to assist you with suitable connection hoses, additional valves or connecting the unit to existing laboratory reactors and rotary evaporators. Please also feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding F-gas labelling or the successor model.