Forum Discussion

mginnetty's avatar
mginnetty
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020

Refrigerator left running with doors open for 2 weeks !

Had kids playing in the RV when it was out in the driveway ready to be put into storage with the fridge/freezer doors propped open with door clips. I'm guessing one the kids was pushing buttons and turned on the fridge and I just noticed it now 2 weeks later :(

The fridge and freezer weren't cool at all and had about an inch of water pooled in the bottom and some in the trays on the door. I turned off the power and have cleaned up the water and hope that it doesn't need replacement.

Anyone have an experience with fridge problems like this ?

Thanks for the info.

-Mark...

10 Replies

  • mginnetty's avatar
    mginnetty
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2020
    Hi Everyone, thanks for the quick replies.

    I cleaned up the mess and connected the power earlier this morning and checked back in about 5 hours and it is working ! The freezer is ice cold and the fridge cooled right down.

    The answer some of the questions...

    The RV and fridge are level.

    no odor.

    It is an Absorption fridge that can run on power or propane. Unlike the fridge in my house it doesn't have a compressor.
  • Bert_the_Welder's avatar
    Bert_the_Welder
    Explorer II
    Aug 01, 2020
    pianotuna wrote:
    wopachop,

    Direction of travel 3%. (1/2 bubble)

    Driver to front seat passenger 5%. (less that 1 bubble)

    I hope that helps.


    Thanks for this PT. Had wondered how much slope front to back and side to side would be in the "OK" range. Just never remembered to ask....:C
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2020
    Did that to myself once. Had water inside the refrigerator and on the floor of the trailer. Didn't do any damage.

    Clean up the mess and check, is it okay now?
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Aug 01, 2020
    wopachop,

    Direction of travel 3%. (1/2 bubble)

    Driver to front seat passenger 5%. (less that 1 bubble)

    I hope that helps.
  • wopachop's avatar
    wopachop
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2020
    Let's say you're in the trailer looking at the fridge door. Which angle hurts it the most?
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Aug 01, 2020
    The water that collected is good evidence that the fridge was working properly--the cooling unit caused it to condense and collect. (It also suggests that the drip pan or its drain tube may possibly not be arranged properly or might be plugged up, assuming your fridge has them.) I don't think you have anything to worry about.

    Incidentally, 3 degrees off of level is a quite obvious slope, around a 5% grade.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 01, 2020
    Use a solar system to keep your batteries charged. Unplug from shore power. Install a master switch and turn it off.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 31, 2020
    Unless you have a odor. Running with the doors open will not cause a problem. UNLESS as another stated, you stored the unit off level more than 3 to 5 degrees. Doug
  • Mfan's avatar
    Mfan
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2020
    Have you tried to turn it on and cool it now? What type?

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,258 PostsLatest Activity: May 28, 2025