Running refrigerator in freezing temps?

[dcason]

Hubby thinks that he read an article against not running the rv refrigerator at sub freezing temps. Can anyone help me with this...search reaped nothing. Can our refrigerator be
run when it is in the teens at night for maybe 5 nights while we pack it up? 30's during the day (low).
Donna

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Then I'll try to enlighten you directly.

My understanding is that when the temperature is low enough the working material gels and temporarily clogs the tubing. The boiler continues to operate and reaches temperatures high enough to precipitate the anti corrosion material. When the ambient temperature rises the particulates can clump together in the tubes and may form a permanent clog.

Unfortunately, the anti corrosion material does not dissolve back into the solution.

I hope this helps.

wing_zealot wrote:
I followed the link and read what it said. Apparently is must be poorly written because it was misunderstood and caused no enlightenment. But thanks for explaining the difference.

[Sandia_Man]

No issues with our Dometic fridge operation in sub-freezing temps. Work just fine in 100 degree temps for that matter.

[old_guy]

my first TT frig was my beer back up frig. 24/7/365. had it for 20 years and it still worked the day I traded it in. and that's no lie, I really did have it for 20 years. darn good TT.

[wing_zealot]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Freezing the fridge when it is non operational is just fine. Freezing it when it is running is what causes damage. If you followed the link and understood what was said it would lead to enlightenment.

Norcold has an add on kit to prevent freezing for their products.

wing_zealot wrote:
My refrigerator has been frozen every year for the last 12 years I've had it. And the same thing for the one before this one. I believe it got down to -20° F last year for a while. It hasn't been above freezing in 3 or 4 weeks now here. My TT hasn't been plugged in or had a battery in it since late November (as is usual). I guess I must have been extremely lucky over the last 20 years.

I followed the link and read what it said. Apparently is must be poorly written because it was misunderstood and caused no enlightenment. But thanks for explaining the difference.

[pigman1]

Caveman Charlie wrote:

pigman1 wrote:
We've got 3 chest freezers and 2 refrigerators running outside in unheated buildings and have not had any trouble in the last 25 years. I'm not concerned about the RV as it sits in one of the same unheated buildings when we're home.

Those are not absorption refrigerators though.

Yep, and I don't have an absorption refrigerator in my RV.

[Caveman_Charlie]

pigman1 wrote:
We've got 3 chest freezers and 2 refrigerators running outside in unheated buildings and have not had any trouble in the last 25 years. I'm not concerned about the RV as it sits in one of the same unheated buildings when we're home.

Those are not absorption refrigerators though.

[shum02]

Ivylog wrote:
You should be fine. If it does not cool well put a light bulb at night in the outside vent area as it takes heat to make it work.

x2

This is a great trick with absorption fridges for cold weather camping. I've camped well in excess of -20C/-4F with no issues to mine.

[pigman1]

We've got 3 chest freezers and 2 refrigerators running outside in unheated buildings and have not had any trouble in the last 25 years. I'm not concerned about the RV as it sits in one of the same unheated buildings when we're home.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Freezing the fridge when it is non operational is just fine. Freezing it when it is running is what causes damage. If you followed the link and understood what was said it would lead to enlightenment.

Norcold has an add on kit to prevent freezing for their products.

wing_zealot wrote:
My refrigerator has been frozen every year for the last 12 years I've had it. And the same thing for the one before this one. I believe it got down to -20° F last year for a while. It hasn't been above freezing in 3 or 4 weeks now here. My TT hasn't been plugged in or had a battery in it since late November (as is usual). I guess I must have been extremely lucky over the last 20 years.

[wing_zealot]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The fridge can freeze up. It can be permanently damaged.

For many cold weather solutions surf here:

Winter RV Camping

My refrigerator has been frozen every year for the last 12 years I've had it. And the same thing for the one before this one. I believe it got down to -20° F last year for a while. It hasn't been above freezing in 3 or 4 weeks now here. My TT hasn't been plugged in or had a battery in it since late November (as is usual). I guess I must have been extremely lucky over the last 20 years.

[Dutch_12078]

We've run our fridge in temps down to a few degrees below zero F with no problems. Running it on LP might be more of an issue than running it on AC due to the burner location versus the insulated electric heat strip.

[WyoTraveler]

I've been running mine in temps down to 5 to 10 degrees. Never had any problems. Haven't ever done anything different. I would be concerned about covering vent holes. Sometimes I think some RVers become overly concerned about cold wx camping. If that fridge could freeze and be damaged with it on it could probably freeze and damage it when off. My MH sits in 25 below zero temps outside.

[dcason]

THANKS! That is what I was looking for...want to take care of baby and make sure she lives a long time with no pricey repairs.
Donna

[Ivylog]

You should be fine. If it does not cool well put a light bulb at night in the outside vent area as it takes heat to make it work.