refrigerator in cold weather

[hairbrain]

Will be living in motorhome for the winter in the Phila., Pa area.Is there anything to be concerned about with the refirerator in below freezing weather???

[pianotuna]

Hi Richard,

Some of us consider -7f to be shirt sleeves weather. I've used my RV down to -37 C (-34 f) and others have done -40.

RLS7201 wrote:
So much paranoia. My old 2807 Dometic works flawlessly at -7°F with NO mods. Think about it, the refrigerant in the system gets way below 0°F when it passes through the coils in the freezer, even in the summer. If it's cold enough out side to change the state of the refrigerant in the system, you won't want to be there. I did add a 4" fan to the outside to assist cooling in extreme heat.

Richard

[SkiingSixPack]

pianotuna wrote:
Here is a thread on Winter Camping that has the fridge information and many other useful ideas.

x2

[RLS7201]

So much paranoia. My old 2807 Dometic works flawlessly at -7°F with NO mods. Think about it, the refrigerant in the system gets way below 0°F when it passes through the coils in the freezer, even in the summer. If it's cold enough out side to change the state of the refrigerant in the system, you won't want to be there. I did add a 4" fan to the outside to assist cooling in extreme heat.

Richard

[pianotuna]

Here is a thread on Winter Camping that has the fridge information and many other useful ideas.

[Ramair]

I have always blocked off 2 of the 3 intake vents, using the foam pipe insulation, perfect fit and drop the control panel from the coldest setting to number 4. Never had an issue.

[markandkim]

Ivylog wrote:
Your gas/electric refer needs heat to work. It can get too cold at the back for it to work. When it's really cold you may have to cover the outside vent to block the cold from getting to the back.

Never do this if you are burning gas!

[weathershak]

Never had a problem with mine all last winter with temps in the low teens at night. When it got that cold, I would turn the fridge off at night and turn it back on in the AM. The temp would only drop 2 degrees inside the fridge and stuff in the freezer was always hard as a rock.

[dougrainer]

SteveAE wrote:
Gas absorption refrigerators can be damaged in cold weather. Norcold makes a cold weather kit for their products, or you can just put a low wattage light bulb in the back of the refrigerator compartment to warm it up a bit.

Steve

They cannot be damaged in cold weather.
WHAT CAN DAMAGE THEM IS BLOCKING OFF THE BACK VENT. NEVER BLOCK OFF THA BACK VENT. The refer needs air flow from bottom to top. You can partially block off, but install a light bulb or heat source to help them stay running. The ammonia mixture CANNOT freeze or be damaged. BELOW 20 degrees ambient, even with a heat source, you may have marginal or no cooling. Doug

[Busskipper]

SteveAE wrote:
Gas absorption refrigerators can be damaged in cold weather. Norcold makes a cold weather kit for their products, or you can just put a low wattage light bulb in the back of the refrigerator compartment to warm it up a bit.

Steve

This is good advice -- your only concern should be if the temps stay below 10 degrees for a while, if that is the case add the light bulb.

Generally what happens is the Panel will shut down the refrigerator and need to be re-set. PIA so add the light and avoid the service call.

BOL,

[SteveAE]

Gas absorption refrigerators can be damaged in cold weather. Norcold makes a cold weather kit for their products, or you can just put a low wattage light bulb in the back of the refrigerator compartment to warm it up a bit.

Steve

[skipnchar]

Your fridge will be operating in the same environment you live in. It will run when it needs to just like summer time.

[Ivylog]

Your gas/electric refer needs heat to work. It can get too cold at the back for it to work. When it's really cold you may have to cover the outside vent to block the cold from getting to the back.

[MountainAir05]

none, in cold weather. Hot weather need air moving over it. I keep my outside fan running winter or summer for air flow

[TexasShadow]

the only thing I know to watch is the temp inside the box. you don't want your liquids to freeze