RV Refrigerator in cold weather

[dufferdj]

We evacuated the East Troublesome Fire on Wednesday night. Are currently in our Allegro '18 31 BR in Frazier, Colorado. The weather so far has been okay but tomorrow we will most likely have temps dip into the low single digits. We know that the rear furnace will heat the basement and have thermometer remote units to monitor the basement and wet bay. We also have a small electric heater that we will place in the basement so from previous experience I think we should be alright. My question to this group is, we have an electric/ propane (RV)refrigerator. Should i do anything to make sure that the backside of it does not get too cold. We are not plugged into any shore power as all campgrounds are closed. Thanks for your help in advance. It looks like our cabin/home has been spared but we do not know for sure and probably will not know until later next week when we hope to return to the cabin.

[AllegroD]

In conjunction with a 200W heater, we use a TC-3 to turn on the heater at 35 and off at 45.

[Ray_IN]

Since you are not on shore power, I suggest if/when the refrigerator stops cooling as it should because of cold temps, you block the lower refrigerator exterior vents to hold in enough heat to allow the absorption unit to function properly.

[Rick_Jay]

While I won't argue that those of you using the standard 100W incandescent bulbs have a solution, my concern with that solution has been twofold, now threefold. First, they can burn out at any particular time. Second, they tend to be "delicate", that is, the filament can easily break if the light is subjected to an impact, especially while turned on. Third, it's hard to find those bulbs and keeping them in storage is like storing eggs, they're delicate.

So, instead, I purchased a couple of units like these to use in our wet-bay and rear bay which provides access to our water tank. They do put out a bit more heat (this model is either 170W or 250W) and I found them to be pretty robust.

For our rig, down into the mid-to-low 20's, I put them on the lower wattage setting. Low 20's to upper teens, I put them on the higher wattage setting. If it's going to be mid-teens to lower, which is rare, I put in cheap 750 Watt heaters in each space, which has generally kept our water flowing in temperatures down into the single digits (Fahrenheit).

Obviously, if you don't have a source of electricity handy, then you have to rely on the propane furnace, generator, or other heating systems on the rig.

Which reminds me...I guess it's time to check through my heaters and get them ready. I'm sure we'll be needing them soon.

~Rick

[SDcampowneroper]

Yes. When temps drop into the freezing range, the fridge does not work well. I have always used "foam pipe " insulation close off the lower fridge vent so that the temp in the cabinet warms.

[rgatijnet1]

Instead of a small heater in your basement compartment, we always used a 100 watt incandescent bulb, in a trouble light housing to keep the wet compartment warm at temps down to zero. It uses a lot less power and is safer than a small electric heater.

[Community Alumni]

My Refrigerator quit working in the cold weather 25 to 4 degrees for many days. I put a 60 watt trouble light in the rear of the compartment to keep it going. That is a regular light bulb not a LED

Good Luck to you

JimR

[SteveAE]

You will "probably" be just fine at those temps (mid-teens). If you were concerned you could put a little heat source (small, incandescent light bulb, maybe around 40 watts.....) in the back of the fridge compartment (not in the fridge, but in the compartment behind it), but I really doubt you will need it.

Best wishes for your home.

[Bruce_Brown]

We've camped in 15F weather before with no issues, including the fridge. Enbelthens thoughts on the ice maker are valid, IMO.

[Lwiddis]

I sincerely hope your home was untouched by the fire.

[enblethen]

My only concern would be ice maker if equipped.