Noob Refrig Question

Nothing wrong with leaving it on. It should be sitting level though. I'm not sure why - just the advice I've read on here. Maybe someone can expand on that.

X-2 leave it on

How you use it is up to you and how you camp.

Only issue........make sure RV is level anytime fridge is turned ON.

SO that may help you decide whether or not to leave fridge on or off.


ON EDIT: WHY LEVEL

RV absorption fridges use gravity to help in the flow of coolant/gas/anti-rust inhibitor during operation.

Off level operation disrupts the gravity flow which can result in overheating....overheating causes inhibitor to form crystals which will plate on on inside of tubing causing more restrictions/more overheating issues/more plating out.......DEATH to a cooling unit.

And this damage can occur in as short a time as 20 mins of off level operation. Damage is accumulative and permanent.

What about when in transit.....traveling with fridge on??
OK. The motion of vehicle (side to side rocking, bouncing, rolling) keeps coolant flowing so overheating of coolant doesn't occur.
But then you pull off on side of road/tilted shoulder for rest break/lunch etc. NOW overheating can happen due to lack of motion and RV being off level.

LEVEL........
Reasonably level. If comfortable to walk/sit/sleep then OK.
In other words..you know when RV is off level.

I turn ours off between use simply because there's no point in paying for energy - either propane gas or electricity - to keep the darned thing running when we're not using it.

If not using it for 2 days or more, I turn it off, clean it out, and leave it open.

I leave mine plugged in and running, I keep mine packed with food, clothing etc.I never know when the mood will hit me to head for the woods.

Thanks for your replies everyone! Seems about 50/50 whether to leave it on or off. May main concern about the strain on the little fridge seems to unjustified.

Keith

I go many years without shutting mine off . Like swamprat01 , we never know when the urge to take off will strike . My clothes , food , bikes , kayaks, fishing gear and several hundred books are all on standby !

People who full-time in their RV never shut their's off. Just sayin...

absorption fridges don't have any moving parts to wear out.