Cold weather refrigerator question
I've been reading where folks suggest keeping the refrigerator compartment warm to protect the refrigeration chemicals. I'm not really sure what they are talking about. I'm getting ready for a winter ...
Forum Discussion
YES cooler ambient air temps can affect rv absorption fridges' ability to properly cool (just like hot ambient air temps)
It's all a 'heat transfer process'
Warmer temps inside fridge compartments transfers to colder medium (ammonia liquid) which then transfer that absorbed heat to the ambient air which flows across backside of cooling coils.
In hot weather the air can not absorb the heat therefore cooling affect diminishes and fridge temps rise.
In cold weather the water mixture with the sodium chromate can begin freezing/crystallizing which disrupts the flow of coolant within the unit. That results in less cooling ability.
Using the 'gas' mode in cold temps help......it is more efficient than electric in cold weather and adds some heat to outside compartment area.
Using a low wattage bulb (40W-60W) in outside compartment also helps.
Partially blocking a couple of vents in lower vent cover may help by minimizing draft.
Some models of Dometic have a LAC switch (Low Ambient Control). This turns food section light ON causing heat in food section where thermistor is. This causes the thermostat to turn cooling unit ON (heat source) more frequent/longer.
It's all a 'heat transfer process'
Warmer temps inside fridge compartments transfers to colder medium (ammonia liquid) which then transfer that absorbed heat to the ambient air which flows across backside of cooling coils.
In hot weather the air can not absorb the heat therefore cooling affect diminishes and fridge temps rise.
In cold weather the water mixture with the sodium chromate can begin freezing/crystallizing which disrupts the flow of coolant within the unit. That results in less cooling ability.
Using the 'gas' mode in cold temps help......it is more efficient than electric in cold weather and adds some heat to outside compartment area.
Using a low wattage bulb (40W-60W) in outside compartment also helps.
Partially blocking a couple of vents in lower vent cover may help by minimizing draft.
Some models of Dometic have a LAC switch (Low Ambient Control). This turns food section light ON causing heat in food section where thermistor is. This causes the thermostat to turn cooling unit ON (heat source) more frequent/longer.
