ARP Refrigerator Fire Safety Device

The device will stop the partial over time of operating out of level damage. When un level, the boiler does reach a higher temp. So, if this device shuts down when off level enough to cause damage, then that is a good thing to have. NOW, to the high temp parameters. LOTS of confusion and misinformation. The Norcold Recall kit just shuts the refer down if the boiler temp goes over 700 degrees. Normal operating temp is about 350 degrees. The 700 is usually what will occur when you have a blocked or a LEAKED cooling unit. So, when the boiler cannot cause the chemical reaction of the Ammonia, the temp rapidly rises and the Norcold Recall Thermister sees that and locks out the refer. Norcold refers already have an out of level parameter, called a NO CO. When a normal cool down cycle cannot happen because of ANYTHING including out of level, the refer will shut down and throw the NO CO code to prevent ruining the Cooling Unit. It will continue to do that until you find and fix the problem. So, if you are a pessimist or just a worrier, then spend the $120, and you will have piece of mind. There are MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of RV refers out there and if fires were a BIG problem, there would be a LOT more evidence of it. Doug

I had a ARP installed last April along with a new cooling unit. Temperatures are around 340° when fridge is running.
If setting for temperature has not been changed to Fahrenheit then reading are in Celsius. 154°C is about right. To get proper temperature settings a 24 hour Auto Tune should be run.
Couldn't be happier with this control

Any temperature readings on the boiler yet?

Not actual operating temp. I just turned on the frig for a little while to make sure the unit would display temps. I got it up to only 154 degrees. Next trip, I'll check it out.
jor

The cooling unit on my Norcold 1200 LRIM performed perfectly for 7-1/2 years WITHOUT the so-called safety device. But, I don't believe the device is designed to extend the life of the unit.....
However, I sure was eager to install the Norcold safety unit as soon as I heard about it (the one that shuts the unit down when the thermocouple senses 700 degrees).

Of course one does wonder how "necessary" this device is if you have a unit that's lasted nearly 20 years without one. :)

The ARP unit can easily be configured with respect to the trip points and retry times, along with many other functions. It's way more than a simple fire suppression device. The data logging port (if so equipped) offers a PC interface with logging / history info via a small app which could easily be a wireless interface if desired.

When mounted inside it's far easier to see current boiler temps - simply press the display button

Running on AC now (45F outside) it's 343F a bit lower than when it's running on gas. As a test get the frig off level and look at the temps rise wow they climb fast - an eye opener for me

The ARP unit MUCH more closely controls boiler temperature, keeping it below the level that causes cooling system issues such as the precipitation of the sodium chromate. The Norcold unit it set to shut off the unit at a MUCH higher temperature-- high enough that permanent damage can occur, but supposedly low enough that a fire would be avoided.

At the seminar presented at the FMCA Convention in Redmond, he tilted the display cooling unit about 3 degrees and on the screen we watched the boiler temperatures shoot up and then the ARC controller turn it off and then back on.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

It is quite a bit more sophisticated than the Norcold. It will attempt to restart the fridge 5 times before "locking out" and it is intended to keep the boiler temperature below the point where the sodium chromate will precipitate out possibly causing blockages.

I believe there's a difference of opinion on the safety question with regard to the automatic restart feature (5 times?). As I recall, there is a logical argument that was made in favor of a technician being present beofore a restart is attempted (in event that the safety device shuts off the refrigerator).

.

Fridge fires - see fusible link (automatic) Halon extinguishers -

SS30 Halon Vertical or Horizontal Extinguisher - from Mac The Fire Guy's site.

Scroll down to "Engine Compartment Systems".

See also -
Fire Fight Products

~

Hi,

It is quite a bit more sophisticated than the Norcold. It will attempt to restart the fridge 5 times before "locking out" and it is intended to keep the boiler temperature below the point where the sodium chromate will precipitate out possibly causing blockages.