I think I've got the answer

JJ,

That is good information to know. I had no idea as I'm sure many don't. I knew that for "best performance" it is good for them to be level and I especially knew that on electric they had to be level. Just took a chance the first time when on electric and the ice cream melted. I figured the propane operation worked better because that is how you travel with it running.

So, good bad or indifferent. In the future, except while on the road traveling. When it is parked I'll be sure to either shut it off and empty it or get it level.

Trust me, people in the cooling unit repair Bus. and replacement love you attitude as it insures a steady income flow for them…

The fact that they will work while out of level means nothing, the damage is seldom instant, the damage is slow and they normally just keep becoming less efficient before quitting… almost unnoticeable at first…

it seems RV refrigeration repair companies are as busy as ever since the newer design, maybe more so in the area of fires over failure… maybe it’s because people take this higher tolerance of out-of-level to literally…
There are only three requirements for the proper and safe operation of a absorption fridge and they haven’t changed and are just as important today as they ever were… they are…

THREE REQUIREMENTS - FOR PROPER OPERATION
1. Level
2. Air Flow (Good Ventilation)
3. Heat (Precise heat)

The only question on level is the level of risk you are willing to assume…

fla-gypsy wrote:
I have never had my fridge not work because my trailer was not level, just saying. I think the level issue is grossly exaggerated. There have been many times I got it only eyeball level and I know it was off.

yeah, I am with you on that gypsie. However if I feel like I am gonna roll out of bed, it is time to do something. :W

I have never had my fridge not work because my trailer was not level, just saying. I think the level issue is grossly exaggerated. There have been many times I got it only eyeball level and I know it was off.

Weigh the tank, run for 2 days, weigh the tank again.

Absorption fridges are completely dependent on gravity to function, and the rate of the fluids flow is determined by the size and angle of the tubes decent… optimum performance happens when the fridge is level, and there is only one level… operating out of level slows the cycling of the fluid… slowing the cycle allows the fluid in the boiler to become hotter because the heat source is constant and consistent…
The fluid consist of ammonia, water and rust inhibitors… when the solution is over heated because of slower cycling fluids the rust inhibitors chemically break down and crystallize… this condition is cumulative and permanent… when crystallization becomes to high it can plug the tubes and stop the solution from flowing and/or it renders the rust inhibitor less and less effective and it shortens the useful life of the fridge… this can happen on either heat source…

Newer units are built the same way the older ones are but they are more tolerant to out of level conditions… more tolerant wouldn’t mean the risk is eliminated and non-existent it only means the damage caused is slowed… that was done by isolating the siphon pump tube from the heat source by placing it inside the boiler…

Mfg’s say it can be operated with the RV comfortably level… that will in all likelihood get it beyond the warranty period… but in their warranty listed as non-covered is,

“WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER”

“Non operation of the refrigerator/freezer or resultant damage to the unit where the refrigerator/ freezer has been operated in an out of level situation. “

there is no way to measure the damage caused by out of level operation or how quickly that damage will adversely effect its operation until it finally fails… As expensive as they are, I choose not to risk causing any damage that is avoidable by something I have control over like leveling…

Should not be run off level on either propane or elec.. Off level the gas turns back to a liquid in the bends of the coils and causes a blockage.

Hmm..., That's interesting. I have 2 30# tanks and go from mid-April until August on 1 30# tank. That's about 45 to 50 days/nights with around 15 of those with Frig on propane and includes a few runs of the furnance during the April time frame.

A 4 day horse show with temperatures in the 40's at night will burn a full tank of propane.

sch911 wrote:
A couple of things you should never run the fridge when your parked significantly unlevel Say more than a bubble out. And, the refer uses 12V also so you'll need your battery on and charged during operation.

Is that on electric or doesn't matter, both propane and electric?

Yes, it does draw on the battery as well. I monitored the batteries, in that two weeks, it took them down to about 1/3 W/O ever charging.

korbe wrote:
I know this may be a little off topic, but, what size tanks are you talking about?

Good question, 7 1/2 gallon tanks.