question about refrigerator
We have a Norcold refrigerator in our 5th wheel. It has a 3 way switch for either auto,off, or gas. If we are connected to shore power while stored at home, does it hurt to let the refrigerator run ...
Forum Discussion
KD4UPL wrote:
I've been told by an RV tech that it's better to let the ref. run than constantly turn it on and off. It keeps everything from expanding in heat, contracting in cold, over and over again.
I leave mine on all season and shut if off over the winter. It's now 14 years old and still works great.
That explanation makes very little sense to me. The fridge is constantly cycling on and off as it runs, so the cooling unit is warming and cooling more when it's on than when it's off.
An absorption fridge cooling unit doesn't really wear out per se. So long as the piping remains intact (no physical damage, no rust holes, etc.) and doesn't clog due to running off-level, it can continue to work indefinitely, or sit indefinitely until asked to work.
I personally turn my RV fridge off when parked because it's an electricity hog. It's nearly twenty years old (many of which were not under my ownership) and, like yours, still operates very well.
