Is there any reason to occasionally run refrigerator on gas?

[SYC2Vette]

I believe that the "gas" cycle components are simply the hermetically sealed system and heater. Would there be any long term reliability enhancement by occasionally running in this mode to "exercise" the system?

[rintintin]

No where on the manual it says you have too. Having said that it would not hurt to make sure everything is working and do 5e maintenance as suggested in the manual

[uncle_bob]

Hi

There's always the chance of "stuff" building up in the gas side of things. It's debatable if running the system blows stuff out or not.

Bob

[overlander63]

It won't hurt. If nothing else, you'll be aware if a mud dauber builds a nest somewhere in the system.

[Zardoz]

It’s a universal law that EVERYTHING needs to be worked to stay in shape. When we (likely everyone) are driving, the fridge is running off propane. While I can’t provide any specific data, I can tell you that I’ve read that operating off propane will give you lower temperatures in your freezer & fridge.

[dnas]

For whatever reason, our refrigerator doesn't want to work on anything but gas. Nadda, zilch, zip on shore power. We think it gave up the ghost because last year on the last trip, it beeped 33 times every 3 minutes, which was it's way of saying "good bye".

[drbrick]

Use AC when at home to cool the refrig then switch to LP when Glamping - standard procedure.

[almcate]

We spent a couple years full time before I retired and day-to-day and week-to-week routine made everything intentional, from when to fill the gas tank, planning the next stops, finding laundries, diners, and something interesting hiding in nowhere's ville. Also assured everything either broke or got checked just before it broke. Back in sticks and bricks and doing checks is so much easier to fall into the just after it broke category. Typically, we run fridge on gas when towing, so think I can pass on that one, but happy to "intentionally" think through if I needed to add it to my checklist.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by overlander63

It won't hurt. If nothing else, you'll be aware if a mud dauber builds a nest somewhere in the system.

Bingo!

Always a good idea to exercise each and every system from time to time IMO.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

I believe that the "gas" cycle components are simply the hermetically sealed system and heater. Would there be any long term reliability enhancement by occasionally running in this mode to "exercise" the system?

We run our refer on gas while otr, then back to ele in camp assuming doe hookups.
B

[CruizinDux]

Just to add/clarify, If I'm in storage for awhile, mid way to the next tip I often load the batts and exercise the WH, Furnace and refer. Also about a week before leaving more to simply make sure it's working vs giving it exercise. While OTR I often flip on the WH gas when in the CG since we usually go the FHU's route. Don't think it need scheduled exercise like a large genset...just want to know it's ready to go.


b

[Mike1997]

Mine is a 3 way Dometic. Before I bought it, it set in a warehouse plugged in for a long time but everything worked. When I pulled out for the trip home, it switched to 12v just as it should. At home I plugged it in again. A month later got it ready for the first trip and again, if motor was not running it was plugged in......until I got to Key West!! There I had to boondock for 5 days while on a wait list for hookup. That's when I discovered it would not fire on propane. Cause was a faulty control board. Same issue occurred later with my furnace and water heater. They go bad with age.....however, its a easy fix.

I recommend turning it on as part of a maintenance check even if your not using it. That's how I also found discovered the DuoTherm t-stat would not start the furnace after new board was installed. $150 later, its working.

[brundom]

We used the fridge on propane almost entirely for three weeks. Then refilled propane tanks. We were at 8000 ft elevation in Yellowstone. After that fridge would not stay on when in propane mode. When we got home, still would not run for more than 15 - 20 minutes on propane. Would go off and orange light would stay on. Got the burner serviced, but no apparent issues were found by the technician. Any suggestions on what we can do differently to avaiod this problem next time?

[popaugen65]

Always run the gas occasionally. I rarely ran my furnace and over the years and condensation built up to the point that the gas valve to the furnace "froze" up. $$$ to repair. One would not anticipate condensation, but after prolonged shutdown during the winter (months), propane leakage out and air leakage in brings with it moisture into the lines. And no, I was never able to detect any propane leakage in the 15+ years I had the trailer.

[Daquenzer]

I am of the mind one should test everything on a regular basis. As to the refrigerator I use LP while traveling. I will have to say I always switch from AC to LP long before we have to leave. From time to time the LP doesn’t start right up, and I have to bleed the line a bit by turning it off and then on a few times. I think you should also run the hot water heater on LP from time to time as well. Even run your inverter etc to make sure it works. Run the Heat Pumps as well. In fact really should do an all systems check on regular basis.

I’d rather know something doesn’t work at home rather than on the road.