Forum Discussion

rkenly's avatar
rkenly
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014

Leave frig on?

I just got a "new to me" motorhome. This is the first coach that I've had, that had a home frig in it.

So when I'm not using the coach, do I leave the frig on, or go ahead and turn it off? The coach is always plugged in, so that's not an issue. It's just the idea of an empty frig being on all the time, but also, turning a house frig on and off every so often.

TIA,

>>>Rod<<<
Class A
  • eheading's avatar
    eheading
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Seems to me that in the past, sometime, I saw in writing that Norcold representative said it doesn't matter as far as the refrigerator goes. We have had Norcold refrigerators for the past 22 years. We only turn ours on when we are going to use it, generally once a month plus for longer trips. We've never had a problem so far.

    Ed Headington
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    We have always left our fridge on (Jenn Air) while in storage as we have a 30 amp connection. To me, I would never turn of my home fridge so I do the same with the coach fridge. I'm certainly not a electrician but it seems like something that is used regularly will be more reliable. The only time I have turned it off is when the coach is in for service.

    MM.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 20, 2014
    A local cooling unit rebuilder told me that it's the folks who turn their fridges on and off frequently, like between weekly or bi-weekly trips, that have the most failures. He said if you going to use it twice a month or more to just leave it on and it will probably last a lot longer.
    May be some truth in that because ours is left on the whole season and is 11 years old.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 20, 2014
    OP has a 'residential' fridge.......one with a compressor

    Turning it ON/OFF shouldn't be an issue
  • kalynzoo's avatar
    kalynzoo
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    When I'm level I leave the Norcold 1200 frig on 24/7. Since I'm almost always level it has been on most of the time for the last 9 years.
  • Steeljag's avatar
    Steeljag
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Makes no difference. Our camping friends and us purchased TT's about six months apart about four years ago. They keep theirs plugged in and on all the time with no issues. I only plug in and turn on the day prior to leaving with no issues!
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Either way is fine. I leave mine on all season; keeps my beer cold. If you turn it off just remember to turn it on for a day or so before you plan on using it.

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