Noob Refrig Question

[KrowNB]

This is our first year with our RV (Class B). I'm wondering about what others do about their refrigerator when they're not using it. I know through winter storage, etc to turn it off, clean it out and leave the door open. But once camping season starts but you're not using it full time when the rig sits for a week or two between uses, do you leave the unit plugged in and the refrigerator running on AC with condiments, etc left there for the next trip? Or is this two hard on a small 3-way frig - i.e. should you clean it our and shut it off to give it a rest?

[Harvey51]

There is an excellent write up on RV fridges at RV Doctor. This part suggests that the leading cause of failure depends on time in operation and humidity. This makes me think turning off the fridge when not in use will prolong its lifetime.

Though a blocked percolator tube is but one cause of rendering a cooling unit faulty, by far the largest cause of unit failure today is due to leaks in the tubing, especially in those areas imbedded in the polyurethane foam block which surrounds the evaporator sections. It’s been estimated that as many as 85% of cooling unit failures are due to leaks in these areas. Here’s why.

Cooled tubing within the refrigerator attracts moisture in the form of condensation. This moisture envelopes the tubing and is typically retained there because the insulating foam prohibits it from being evaporated. A rust pocket develops and eventually a leak or crack appears. The hydrogen inside the unit is pressurized to over 300 PSI, so any small rusted area is likely to rupture at some point, especially under that kind of pressure. The tiniest of cracks simply cannot hold back the internal pressure behind those small hydrogen molecules. When cracks do occur in visible sections, though infrequently, a yellowish residue will be present and the wondrous odor of ammonia will be quite evident. If ammonia is detected when the refrigerator door is opened, it's time for a new cooling unit. Any crack or leak in the tubing renders the unit inoperable and replacement is, once again, a mandate.

http://www.rvdoctor.com/2001/02/rv-absorption-refrigeration-cooling.html

[Wishbone51]

I've had mine on for the last couple of months. I always wanted a locking fridge in the garage so I could put stuff in there that I didn't want to be gone when I got home from work. Then I thought of my trailer. It's been wonderful! 🙂

[cbshoestring]

Just an energy saving question for me. I do not leave it on, unless I plan to use it. Couple days before we pull out, I will pre-cool by filling it with some ice packs, water, etc... Then start loading it up.

[seaeagle2]

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

[FLGup]

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

[wanderingbob]

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 !

[KrowNB]

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

[nineoaks2004]

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.

[Bobbo]

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

[SoundGuy]

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.

[Old-Biscuit]

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.

[the_bear_II]

X-2 leave it on

[2012Coleman]

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.