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Eugene · 06-19-2021, 06:39 AM

Hi all

I have a 7 year old Dometic RM2351 refrigerator installed in my 68 Caravel

The fridge works well on propane and electric.

Rarely used.

But this summer we have a seasonal site and would like to run fridge continuously for several months.

Fridge has ventilation duct that runs through the roof with a fan

When operating the fridge on ELECTRIC, does the fan need to be continuously running?

When operating the fridge on PROPANE, does the fan need to be continously running?

Thanks!

OTRA15 · 06-19-2021, 06:46 AM

Is this "flue" system [not "vent" IMO] original equipment on your 1968, and does your owner's manual have any guidance?

Our old 1985 Sovereign 25' had a similar system, and I don't think we even had a fan in the "flue" system, because the heat of the propane flame and electric heating element created enough up-draft to get the hot air up and out through the roof.

"fridge roof flue site:airforums.com" search results FYI:

https://www.google.com/search?q=roof...=airforums.com

If there is sufficient ambient intake air through the exterior [presumably louvered] door, no fan should be necessary IMO.

But why leave the trailer for that long with the fridge on? Aren't there safer and less costly alternatives?

The odds of some kind of electrical etc. failure are probably close to zero percent, but why risk any damage over months of absence?

Peter

Eugene · 06-19-2021, 07:09 AM

Yes, original flue/vent system

I have the manual, figured that would be referencing a 68 fridge, but I will take a look.

The trailer will be occupied 4 days a week.
The fridge takes about 24 hours to get to our preferred temperature, so leaving it on during our 3 day absence is preferred.

Thanks for the reply Peter.

Bill M. · 06-19-2021, 07:45 AM

If you have electricity to the site I would run it on electric and leave it on. We run our frig 4 or 5 months at the time. Mine does not have a fan system. I would leave the fan vent on also.

uncle_bob · 06-19-2021, 09:05 AM

Hi

With power to the site, the only real risk it wearing out the fan. Fans are normally not a crazy expensive thing to replace.

If you still have the original Univolt converter / charger in the trailer, *that* would be a much bigger concern.

Bob

Wazbro · 06-19-2021, 06:18 PM

I doubt your trailer originally came with a fan. I think fans weren't original equipment on trailers until this century, when they didn't have the rooftop flu on all models.. Though many people added them to improve fridge efficiency and ability to actually maintain food safe temps inside the fridge in hot weather.