residential refrigerator upgrade question

[tewitt1949]

I have a travel trailer that we are putting in a magic chef frig but we heard that since we move/travel quite often, we will have to let it set unplugged for 24 hours before plugging it in. They say vibration stirs stuff (contaminate) in the Freon and will harm it if plugged in. I find it hard to believe but just thought I ask what others do.

While traveling we just leaved it closed up and since its 110v its not running, until we get to the campground.

[doc_brown]

Have had a residential fridge for 10 years. It’s off when in storage, which could be as long as 5 months. As I prepare to leave, inverter is turned on and all AC outlets are active so fridge is on as I’m moving down the highway. When I’m going to shore power, inverter off, then I plug in and fridge goes back on.

[STBRetired]

Don't know how contaminates could get into the refrigeration system. It is a sealed system which means nothing can get out, or in. The only things in the refrigerant are what was put there at the factory. Park it and plug it in.

[WILDEBILL308]

YC 1 wrote:

tewitt1949 wrote:
Do you turn it on right away when you park? Or is it on while traveling?

I have not run my refer on the inverter yet. I wanted to make the trip as uneventful as possible. Generally I ran the generator every four hours on the road and often more do to the heat of the day. The highest I ever say it get was 40. It cools incredibly fast and if not careful will freeze things.

The freezer side never rose above 30. Makes plenty of ice too.

Why not run it on the inverter? Once it is cooled down it doesn't use much power and your alternator will keep the batteries up.
Bill

[Bill_Satellite]

Keep in mind that the OP is NOT planning to have the fridge running while traveling as those of us with motor homes do. So the question is not will the fridge work while traveling (we all know it will) but rather is there any issue with towing it and bouncing in down the road for 8 hours and then powering it on when he arrives in the campground.

[pulsar]

Four years and 45K miles with residential refrigerator, which is always on while we are using the RV. It runs on inverter, while driving or boondocking.

Tom

[tinkerer]

The only time we unplug our Samsung is when the motorhome is in storage. Just remember there are some who don't have a residential fridge in their MH who know more about residential fridges than the people who actually have them. Replacing the Norcold with the Samsung was one of the best upgrades we ever done to our coach.;)

[Dale_Traveling]

The "give them a few hours after laying flat" is the only suggestion I've ever heard of. Going on 18 months with a Magic Chef fridge in the coach and no problems.

[YC_1]

tewitt1949 wrote:
Do you turn it on right away when you park? Or is it on while traveling?

I have not run my refer on the inverter yet. I wanted to make the trip as uneventful as possible. Generally I ran the generator every four hours on the road and often more do to the heat of the day. The highest I ever say it get was 40. It cools incredibly fast and if not careful will freeze things.

The freezer side never rose above 30. Makes plenty of ice too.

[WILDEBILL308]

My residential refrig has been plugged in for over a year and 10,000 miles now.
Bill

[MrWizard]

Terry
I don't know who told you that garbage but that is all wrong
Pull into camp , plug in, good to go, no problems

I have heard that if it has been laying flat for transport
It should be allow to stand for while to let the oil that belongs in the compressor, drain out of the cooling lines and back into the compressor

The compressor motors run in an oil bath
That can get into the cooling lines if the fridge is laid over on its side

Put upright travel has no bad effects on a residential fridge
I had one for seven years before changing RVs

[faucet1]

I installed a GE residential frig May of 17'. Of course it is ON all the time being installed in a MH(operated by an Inverter). Does the instructions say anything specifically about a/the frig being switched off and back on...or does it just state that it should not be operating when traveling due to the vibration?

[tewitt1949]

Do you turn it on right away when you park? Or is it on while traveling?

[YC_1]

Just put over 8K miles on our residential I just changed myself. From Florida to Ca and back. Lots of rough roads. It works great.

[Lwiddis]

Hopefully you will read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions rather doing or not doing what you...heard and they said.