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BillTex · 07-30-2007, 07:43 PM

Call me paranoid, but now that we just spent big $ on a new fridge, I am being very cautious in how we use it.
If you make a quick stop; lunch, etc and you can only park on an angle, should you shut the fridge off rather than run it off-center?

How long is too long?

Thanx, Bill

uwe · 07-30-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Call me paranoid, but now that we just spent big $ on a new fridge, I am being very cautious in how we use it.
If you make a quick stop; lunch, etc and you can only park on an angle, should you shut the fridge off rather than run it off-center?

How long is too long?

Thanx, Bill

I was told that modern refrigerators are less sensitive to operating at perfect level than the older models were. A half a bubble on the level is supposed to be acceptable for short term. I consider short term a few hours. But, as always, I could be wrong and my information might be corrupted....

ScottW · 07-30-2007, 08:20 PM

The recent (2006 & 2007) owners manuals say that if you aren't uncomforable walking in the trailer, then the incline is OK for the fridge...or words similar.

68 Overlander · 07-30-2007, 08:23 PM

I like this guy and what he does. Tons of useful info on this site Bryant RV Services

Kevbo10 · 07-30-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottW

The recent (2006 & 2007) owners manuals say that if you aren't uncomforable walking in the trailer, then the incline is OK for the fridge...or words similar.

this sounds like good advice. i have a 2005, and have never had a problem, exact level or not, although i'm sure there's a limit. think the long, long, long trailer. k.

DrPlay · 07-30-2007, 10:27 PM

Was just out West (100 degrees plus everyday). The refrigerator fan never went off. Is that normal?

lewster · 07-30-2007, 10:48 PM

Heeeeers the skinny on the 'newer' model fridges. I don't know when this 'newer' cut-off date is, but I would think that it is late 90's.

The term 'level' refers to one's perception of level.......that being if you are reasonably comfortable to walk and stand in your trailer, then it's OK to run the fridge. Running the unit 'off level' can compromise the absorptive properties of the hydrogen/ammonia coolant mix in the cooling tubes of your fridge and in the extreme, will eventually cause a blockage to form in the smaller tubes of the cooler, causing you fridge to no longer operate within it's specifications. The leveling is necessary as the absorptive cooling process relies heavily on gravity to accomplish the cooling task.

As for the fridge fan.........this fan is thermostatically controlled and in high temps, the condenser section where the sensor is located gets very hot, causing the fan to run. Two problems with the Dometic design are:

1. the thermostat is actually in the wrong position for getting an accurate picture of what is happening in the condenser and
2. the trigger temp is not where it shold be.

Solution: The fan is a bronze bearing type that is very noisy. I suggest that you order a cooling fan kit from RV_Cool aka Snyders Refrigeration and a Forum member. I have installed a bunch of these kits and they increase the cooling capacity of the unit in high ambiant temps by using a better t/stat placed where it needs to be and a ball bearing quiet computer fan with a plenum that directs the cooling air where it's needed.

TBRich · 07-30-2007, 11:50 PM

"Was just out West (100 degrees plus everyday). The refrigerator fan never went off. Is that normal?" DrPlay

We are in southern Arizona, where the fan runs almost continually in the summer months...which was fine when we were in SoAZ...but then we went to northern AZ in much cooler temps...and it still ran continuously...when we got home we took it in and it was mis-wired...since having it fixed it has run as we expected....TB

"Solution: The fan is a bronze bearing type that is very noisy. I suggest that you order a cooling fan kit from RV_Cool aka Snyders Refrigeration and a Forum member. I have installed a bunch of these kits and they increase the cooling capacity of the unit in high ambiant temps by using a better t/stat placed where it needs to be and a ball bearing quiet computer fan with a plenum that directs the cooling air where it's needed. ...Lewster.

Good to know as the fan is sometimes pretty noisy...might just have to get it relpaced!....Thanks! TB

BillTex · 07-31-2007, 06:31 AM

Hi Lew, I was hoping you would jump in!
Does this mean, that even short stints off-level the fridge should be shut down?
This is what I have been doing with the new fridge (shut down if off-level, even for more than a few minutes, and then restart when we get under way again.)

I just can't get my Wife to by-pass a yard sale...sometimes the roadside parking is way off!

Thanx, Bill

lewster · 07-31-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Hi Lew, I was hoping you would jump in!
Does this mean, that even short stints off-level the fridge should be shut down?
This is what I have been doing with the new fridge (shut down if off-level, even for more than a few minutes, and then restart when we get under way again.)

I just can't get my Wife to by-pass a yard sale...sometimes the roadside parking is way off!

Thanx, Bill

Hey Bill,

Sounds good to me! Why play Russian Roulette with your new fridge? It won't lose that much temp anyway if you don't open the door when you have it turned off.