As the fridge is an absorption style, it takes more time to exchange the heat out of the refrigerator than a typical residential fridge. It helps if your fridge is empty when you first try and cool it down for airflow. Many factors play a part in cooling and keeping a refrigerator cold. It initially takes the refrigerator about 24 hours to cool down. It is recommended that you turn the refrigerator on a day before you plan on using it. This allows enough time for it to get cold.
Also, when packing the refrigerator do not overpack it and make sure all items are already cold. If not, this will cause the refrigerator to overwork and have a harder time cooling. The outdoor temperature can also be another factor in keeping your refrigerator cold.
If it is extremely hot or if the RV is parked in the sun, this could raise the temperature in the refrigerator. Also, if your refrigerator is not level this could prevent it from running efficiently.
The reason why it takes so long for these refrigerators to cool down is that they run differently than yours at home. The RV refrigerator does not blow and circulate cold air like the one at home. There are small fans that can be put inside the refrigerator to help circulate the cold air. These fans can be purchased at any camper store or online. Keep the RV refrigerator door closed while in traveling as well. Sides of a refrigerator might appear hot as heat generated by the compressor is drawn to the sides to prevent condensation and improve adhesion of the door seal.
Traditional wisdom has it that the fridge cools better on propane , but there is absolutely no science behind that. Maybe it was true in the past, but modern RV fridges have good-sized electric heaters that are the equal of the propane heater in performance. An RV fridge can be used while driving. Although there are some concerns with running propane while driving , it is still possible.
You could also set your RV fridge to use battery power, which is usually enough to last until reaching your destination.
The only thing that you will do by leaving the fridge on is increase your energy usage. A good rule of thumb is to turn on your RV Refrigerator 24 hours prior to going camping.
This gives the Refrigerator time to cool down sufficiently. The simple reason that I suggest keeping it off is due to energy conservation. The check light on Dometic Refrigerator comes on and the unit isn't cooling properly.
It is set to Auto mode and the gas is turned off. Any idea what the problem could be? When in auto the gas has to be turned on. When you loose power to it , it switches to gas automatically. Using thermistors is a an easy way to measure temperature in an RV refrigerator electrically.
If the thermistor goes bust, then the refrigerator keeps continuously pushing cold air through the metallic fins at the back- which can lead to the fridge freezing everything.
You can run RV refrigerators on batteries , but practically, it is not the best. A refrigerator requires lots of power. So the battery will drain out quickly. Your refrigerator will run for 8 — 10 hours with the batteries on.
On average, it takes the refrigerator 24 hours to reach a stable temperature upon initial startup or each time the settings are changed on the temperature controls. Wait 24 hours after the temperature change before adding food or changing the temperature again, if needed. Move the dial counter-clockwise to lower the cooling or clockwise to increase cooling. With each further temperature adjustment, wait an additional 24 hours before adding food into the refrigerator.
If I switch it to propane and the pilot doesnt light will the gas check light flash? Cooling unit is a thermal dynamic natural gravity flow process As freezer temps drop MORE heat absorption can occur and food compartment will get cold It's a slow process to initially absorb the heat Thanks all, The food compartment is starting to cool now after 2. The model is Norco NLM6 I did find the manual and it says that the gas light will flash if it doesnt light.
It seems a little faster when I'm on V AC rather than propane. Depending on the inside temperature of the refrigerator it can take 12 to 24 hours for mine to cool. Last trip it was inside the Norcold series refrigerator when I turned it on. I put a small fan inside it to circulate the air over the cooling fins. I turn mine on two days before we leave and prechill all items before placing them in the refrigerator.
I plug mine in 2 days before departure. Also never put warm food in it if you can help it. If you can use your house refrigerator to cool down whatever you plan on putting in the RV refrigerator you'll be that much ahead with keeping things cool on the road. Also depends on ambient temp.
During summer, when it can be degrees inside the coach when stored, it can take even longer. If I shut mine off and empty it rare, as I am a full timer , I will turn it on two days or more before I need it, or I will buy dry ice and put that in with my groceries. It can take a day or so to really get good and cold. It doesn't use much propane, so little that I don't worry about propane use at all if it's just the fridge using it for a few days to cool down for use.
When I still had my old I always ran it on propane at least the first day sometimes longer it just cooled quicker, and yes try not to ever put anything thing warm or room temp in there pre cool what you can.
Good luck. It is very helpful if everything you put in the RV fridge is already cold. Even better if you freeze everything that you can safely freeze prior to loading the fridge. They'll thaw quickly, but several bottles of frozen water can go a long way towards cooling it down more quickly. As a full timer mine only gets shut down for defrosting. It made me nervous that after a trip to the grocery store it took days for the temps to come down to safe levels.
I also have remote thermometers in mine so I can read the temps without opening the doors. Full-timer May - July This is the life living with an absorption refrigerator unfortunately. The advice given is all good. You may also like:. BB code is On. Smilies are On. Trackbacks are Off. Pingbacks are Off. Refbacks are Off. Forum Rules.
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