running fridge while camper is not level
Trying to work through all the systems on my used and neglected travel trailer. I am running the fridge on electricity, the freezer is getting COLD, but not the fridge. I have it parked in the stree...
Forum Discussion
Electric or propane supply the same heat to boil the ammonia into a vapor
Electric heat is transferred to perk tub directly via conduction
Propane heat is transferred to perk tube thru a spiral flue baffle via radiation/convection
Propane will start the boiling a little bit sooner but once ammonia is being heated both are same in regards to heat/cool cycle
Coolant is a mixture of ammonia, hydrogen gas, sodium chromate (rust inhibitor) & water.
The ammonia boils into a hot vapor, condenses into a cold liquid then when it mixes with the hydrogen gas it flashes into a cold vapor which absorbs the heat from freezer section then from food compartment.
Freezer section is 1st so it has to get down to 10*F before any absorption of heat in food compartment can occur
The cooling process can take 8-12 hrs
Moving of the thermistor......
Only make 'minor' changes in temp (4*F - 6*F) and only when the DOMETIC fridge has non-adjustable temp settings. 'Auto Temp Control' models only
UP for cooler/DOWN for less cooler
Otherwise ----leave the thermistor mid position of the fin
Off level......
Only an issue when rig is stationary.
While in transit the rocking/rolling/bouncing/vibrating going on keeps coolant in motion so not an issue
Stationary off level operation disrupts the gravity flow of coolant which causes overheating which causes the sodium chromate to crystallize and plate out on inside of tubing.....which causes an obstruction, more overheating, more crystals, more plating etc etc
Effect is accumulative and PERMANENT
Turning fridge upside down, rolling it across the ground, banging on absorber tubes with a mallet etc will NOT cure the problem. Might dislodge some of the crystals which just move somewhere else inside cooling unit but still will end up with lack of cooling. The crystals once formed do NOT dissolve back into solution.
Level.......
Norcold states---3* side to side & 6* front to rear
Dometic states....comfortably level (if you can walk up/down rig will out tilting good to go)
20 minutes of off level operation can cause overheating....crystals to form
That short stop on side of road where rig is titled, that overnight stop where CG site is not level, parked in the street in front of house and roadway is crowned etc.
Works for a while but over time.........DEATH
Electric heat is transferred to perk tub directly via conduction
Propane heat is transferred to perk tube thru a spiral flue baffle via radiation/convection
Propane will start the boiling a little bit sooner but once ammonia is being heated both are same in regards to heat/cool cycle
Coolant is a mixture of ammonia, hydrogen gas, sodium chromate (rust inhibitor) & water.
The ammonia boils into a hot vapor, condenses into a cold liquid then when it mixes with the hydrogen gas it flashes into a cold vapor which absorbs the heat from freezer section then from food compartment.
Freezer section is 1st so it has to get down to 10*F before any absorption of heat in food compartment can occur
The cooling process can take 8-12 hrs
Moving of the thermistor......
Only make 'minor' changes in temp (4*F - 6*F) and only when the DOMETIC fridge has non-adjustable temp settings. 'Auto Temp Control' models only
UP for cooler/DOWN for less cooler
Otherwise ----leave the thermistor mid position of the fin
Off level......
Only an issue when rig is stationary.
While in transit the rocking/rolling/bouncing/vibrating going on keeps coolant in motion so not an issue
Stationary off level operation disrupts the gravity flow of coolant which causes overheating which causes the sodium chromate to crystallize and plate out on inside of tubing.....which causes an obstruction, more overheating, more crystals, more plating etc etc
Effect is accumulative and PERMANENT
Turning fridge upside down, rolling it across the ground, banging on absorber tubes with a mallet etc will NOT cure the problem. Might dislodge some of the crystals which just move somewhere else inside cooling unit but still will end up with lack of cooling. The crystals once formed do NOT dissolve back into solution.
Level.......
Norcold states---3* side to side & 6* front to rear
Dometic states....comfortably level (if you can walk up/down rig will out tilting good to go)
20 minutes of off level operation can cause overheating....crystals to form
That short stop on side of road where rig is titled, that overnight stop where CG site is not level, parked in the street in front of house and roadway is crowned etc.
Works for a while but over time.........DEATH
