Keeping Things Cold on the Road
Interested to know how long things in refrigerator stay cold while traveling and if anything in the freezer thaws out if we're on, say, an 8 hour road day. Just bought a TT and haven't used it yet.
Forum Discussion
JFI after reading what I thought was "WILD SPECULATION" and totally "INACCURATE" information by NanciL who said their manual did not recommend operating their refer during travel, I did a quick search thru my owner's manuals I have on my computer and those readily available online and while they might not be all inclusive or the most recent below is what I found:
_______________________
From the "OWNERS MANUAL" for
For N61X models: 6 cu.ft., 2-way, R.V. refrigerators
For N81X models: 8cu.ft.,2-way, R.V. refrigerators
Part No. 63221B (6-09)
On page 3:
Operations during travel:
While the refrigerator should be level when the vehicle is stopped, performance druing travel is not usually effected.
____________________
____________________
From the Dometic Operating Instructions for Absoreption Rerigerator for Recreations Vehicles "RMD8501, RMD8505, RMD 8551, RMD 8555.
T.B. MBA 04/2009
Type C40 / 110
822 6113 - 00
On page 8 under para 2.6 "Operating the refrigerator with gas" there is a warning which says:
Operating the appliance with gas is not permitted
-at petrol stations
-on ferry boats
-while transporting the caravan/motorhome by a transporter or breakdown vehicle.
There is danger of fire!
Leave the equipment switched off.
On page 16 under para 4.3.2 "Gas operation (Liquid gas) there is a bullet which says
In Europe, gas operation is permitted while travelling only on the condition that the gas system of the vehicle is equipped with a hose rupture protection. The national regulations of the respective country mus be observed.
Additionally in the Dometic instructions there are several warnings that if you have the refer in Auto and on 12V operation you need to be careful if you stop for refueling since the refer will automatically switch to gas mode after 15min of stopping the vehicle (i.e. it is supplying the 12V power) and you should prevent that from happening since they do recommend not running it on gas during refueling.
___________________________________
Nowhere in either sets of instruction manuals do either Norcold or Dometic even hint as any problem running their refers while the vehicle is in motion and definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND TURNING IT OFF DURING NORMAL TRAVEL.
Now if NanciL comes back and provides proof of their claim that their manual does recommend not operating their refer during travel then I will stand corrected, but I want to be able to independently verify this information and not simply "TRUST ONE'S WORD". Unless this happens I will add that it is quite frankly beyond me why what should be more experienced and seasoned RVers would make such Controversial Factless and False statements that are IMHO a "HUGE DISSERVICE" to the more uniformed members here that might just believe what is said is actually true. I have no problem with one's personal preferences of whether to operate their refer when the vehicle is in motion, but to somehow add some third party and supposedly more authoritative support such as from a manufacturer in this case to further support that personal preference is where I have the issue.
Larry
_______________________
From the "OWNERS MANUAL" for
For N61X models: 6 cu.ft., 2-way, R.V. refrigerators
For N81X models: 8cu.ft.,2-way, R.V. refrigerators
Part No. 63221B (6-09)
On page 3:
Operations during travel:
While the refrigerator should be level when the vehicle is stopped, performance druing travel is not usually effected.
____________________
____________________
From the Dometic Operating Instructions for Absoreption Rerigerator for Recreations Vehicles "RMD8501, RMD8505, RMD 8551, RMD 8555.
T.B. MBA 04/2009
Type C40 / 110
822 6113 - 00
On page 8 under para 2.6 "Operating the refrigerator with gas" there is a warning which says:
Operating the appliance with gas is not permitted
-at petrol stations
-on ferry boats
-while transporting the caravan/motorhome by a transporter or breakdown vehicle.
There is danger of fire!
Leave the equipment switched off.
On page 16 under para 4.3.2 "Gas operation (Liquid gas) there is a bullet which says
In Europe, gas operation is permitted while travelling only on the condition that the gas system of the vehicle is equipped with a hose rupture protection. The national regulations of the respective country mus be observed.
Additionally in the Dometic instructions there are several warnings that if you have the refer in Auto and on 12V operation you need to be careful if you stop for refueling since the refer will automatically switch to gas mode after 15min of stopping the vehicle (i.e. it is supplying the 12V power) and you should prevent that from happening since they do recommend not running it on gas during refueling.
___________________________________
Nowhere in either sets of instruction manuals do either Norcold or Dometic even hint as any problem running their refers while the vehicle is in motion and definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND TURNING IT OFF DURING NORMAL TRAVEL.
Now if NanciL comes back and provides proof of their claim that their manual does recommend not operating their refer during travel then I will stand corrected, but I want to be able to independently verify this information and not simply "TRUST ONE'S WORD". Unless this happens I will add that it is quite frankly beyond me why what should be more experienced and seasoned RVers would make such Controversial Factless and False statements that are IMHO a "HUGE DISSERVICE" to the more uniformed members here that might just believe what is said is actually true. I have no problem with one's personal preferences of whether to operate their refer when the vehicle is in motion, but to somehow add some third party and supposedly more authoritative support such as from a manufacturer in this case to further support that personal preference is where I have the issue.
Larry
