RV Refrigerator?

mdhemrick wrote:
Is it OK to turn off a RV Refrigerator when not in use or is it best to remain plugged up? Thanks!

Plugged up with what? Toilet paper? Are you serious, or trolling? On when you use it, off when you don't. This isn't rocket science!

We've had 3 different travel trailers, all had RV gas-electric refrigerators. Our first one was 2004. We kept the refrigerators running 24x7x365 on auto since September of this year.

The only time the refrigerator was turned off during that time was the months of January and February, because in Indiana the outside temperature gets colder than the refrigerator and when that happens the refrigerator won't run because the refrigerator thinks is already below the set temperature and has no need to turn on.

In all these years, we never had a problem with any of the 3 refrigerators.

Why September, 2018? Because in September we purchased a new 5er that has an all electric refrigerator. But same deal, we're planning on leaving it on 24x7x365 too, same as the house regardless of outside and ambient temperature in January and February this time round.

On or off, will not hurt them one bit. It's a matter of convenience for you. Once an RV refrigerator warms up, it could take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours to reach temperature again. If you use your refrigerator parked in your drive way, it makes sense to leave it on. If you go out every week-end, it's easier to just leave it on. If it goes into storage with no power to the camper for 6 months, turn it off. Either way won't hurt anything. It's your choice based on convenience for you.

I turned mine on in April of this year and will turn it off in the next couple of weeks when I finish winterizing. I still have food in the fridge and freezer, extra space from home.
Been doing this for 12 years now and no problems ever (touch wood) with the fridge.

Ken

charwan wrote:

midnightsadie wrote:
I turn mine on 24hrs before a trip and off when I return, wipe out with soap an water, leave doors open.

DITTO.

I have done the same since my first RV that had elct or propane ref
instead of the big block of ice we used in the early 60s

midnightsadie wrote:
I turn mine on 24hrs before a trip and off when I return, whipe out with soap an water, leave doors open.

DITTO.

On my first rig I was told by an old timer that it's best to leave it on 24/7 and on the 5th year the cooling coil failed and it cost nearly as much to fix as to replace.

On my current rig, I turn on the day before leaving and off after I return going on 7 yrs and no problems.

A recent video on RV fridges stated that the refrigerator has a life expectancy, therefore off and on was recommended for maximum life. In my experience and others I have known, this has been true.

I turn mine on 24hrs before a trip and off when I return, whipe out with soap an water, leave doors open.