running fridge

donn0128 wrote:
Amish cooling unit is the answer to your problems.

pls advise the make of the frig

thanks, Sparky

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Straight out of a fridge manual.......

Leveling is one of the requirements for proper operation of absorption refrigerators. The absorption design utilizes no mechanical pumps or compressors to circulate the refrigerant within the system, so proper leveling must be maintained to provide the correct refrigerant flow.
Without proper leveling, refrigerant within the cooling unit will
collect and stagnate at certain areas.
Without proper refrigerant flow, the cooling process will stop.

When the vehicle is moving, leveling is not critical as the rolling and pitching movement of the vehicle will pass to either side of level, keeping the refrigerant from accumulating in the piping

Thank you! I really appreciate this info because aside from obsessing over fridge on or fridge off while towing I've always wondered if the non level moments of towing negatively affected the fridge.

wow, as always the answers from those who know

thanks a ton, now I won't be wondering when I'm driving down the road

you all are great

the ammonia-water solution is mixed with a rust inhibitor made up of sodium chromate, it is an important part of the fluid for protecting the cooling unit, which is made of thin internally bare steel tubing… the fridge fluid utilizes a gravity system, that needs a precise amount of heat, good air circulation for exhausting heat, and above all it needs to be level for proper gravity flow and operation…

There is only one level everything else is not… that’s just a simple fact…

each degree OUT OF LEVEL causes a small reduction in performance and raises the temp of the ammonia solution due to inefficient circulation from the unleveled condition… if the temps are allowed to rise to much in this condition the sodium chromate begins to break down and separate from the fluid, and will eventually begin to crystalize and clump… left unchecked could be the death of the fridge…

all out of level damage caused is permanent and cumulative….

What is a problem and the most important maintenance item for a absorption fridge is being leveled during stationary operation… even small discrepancies in level can dramatically raise the fluid temps many degrees… all of which will shorten the life of the fridge and raise the risk of complete failure and the fire risk…

There is only one level everything else is not… you will get a lot of argument about this but its true…

The three things are needed for good operation of the fridge…
Level Level Level
Air circulation and ventilation
And a precise heat source…




"Amish cooling unit is the answer to your problems."


Just a thought about Amish cooling units… the Amish have vast experience with absorption fridges, but they have very little experience with mobile absorption fridges…

I think they have made some changes, and made them a little more efficient which is great. But doubt they have much in the way of testing facilities at their disposal…
I, IMHO do NOT believe that a Amish cooling unit is the answer to all your/our problems, or are the holy grail in refrigeration… and while the seem to do well in the hearsay dept., the difference is there are just not enough in use to say one way or the other…

But they too have had problems with catching fire, and with so few in use hearing about one doesn’t bode well for them… and I have heard about 2 or 3 of them so far…

Here is a picture of a burned out Amish cooling unit… I have more I’ll post if I can find them…

Straight out of a fridge manual.......

Leveling is one of the requirements for proper operation of absorption refrigerators. The absorption design utilizes no mechanical pumps or compressors to circulate the refrigerant within the system, so proper leveling must be maintained to provide the correct refrigerant flow.
Without proper leveling, refrigerant within the cooling unit will
collect and stagnate at certain areas.
Without proper refrigerant flow, the cooling process will stop.

When the vehicle is moving, leveling is not critical as the rolling and pitching movement of the vehicle will pass to either side of level, keeping the refrigerant from accumulating in the piping

robsouth wrote:
The point is that the ammonia mixture in the cooling unit needs a level playing field to circulate properly (heated and cooled over and over)when sitting still. While moving, the jostling takes care of keeping the mixture from settling so that is why while moving level is not important, while still, level is important.

X2

Get one of these and put it in your fridge:

Cheap Camco Level Bubble

No more than 1/2 bubble out is OK.

donn0128 wrote:
It is no problem going down the road. The constant rocking takes care of the gas mixture.

In addition, the heat is more efficiently carried up and out the fridge roof vent and you'll likely see the freezer at or near freezing and the fridge compartment nicely cooled down as well in as little as an hour travel time. My experience anyway...........

A gas refrigerator has a long metal vertical tube with the pilot flame at the bottom. The heat from the flame travels through the tube and is transferred to the refrigerant. The heat transfers at maximum capacity when the heat travels the entire distance of the tube. If the tube is leaning, the heat will not travel evenly through the entire length of the tube, so some of the heat transfer will not be accomplished. Traveling a road at an incline will decrease the transfer of heat. The insulated box of the refrigerator will keep the food cold while traveling the incline. When camping, the RV being level enough for creature comfort, should be level enough for the refrigerator to work. The refrigerator will be most efficient when level.

Amish cooling unit is the answer to your problems.