Reefer--leave it on?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by idroba

But weather the refrigerator is full or empty does not change the inherent efficiency of the RV absorption system or the efficiency of the home compressor system one bit.

I yield the point.

[Msmoto]

Maybe there is a confusion about how efficient the use of the refrigerator is in relationship to how it functions as a mechanical device. One can improve the overall energy efficiency by not opening the door as often, but as pointed out the mechanical efficiency is a fixed characteristic……. unless we add in the confounding factor of ambient temperature. One can state in general the energy usage for a refrigerator in Alaska may be less than for one in Florida, but again, the basic design will determine the efficiency relative to other refrigeration units.

Did I confuse this enough?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

Maybe there is a confusion about how efficient the use of the refrigerator is in relationship to how it functions as a mechanical device.

Call it efficiency (a measure of design) vs. effectivness (a measure of usage) and we'll be fine. You can't change a refrigerator's efficiency without changing the design, but you can change its effectiveness. Earlier in this thread I referred to "efficiency" when I should have said "effectiveness," leading to Idroba's correction as to the meaning of "efficiency."

[BeachHouse]

I love it when the engineers chime in. I am not an engineer, but probably should have been. I have an architecture education, but an energy efficiency career, prior to getting into the custom cabinet business.

Trying to explain efficiency vs cost to operate is difficult. Like is a gas furnace more efficient than an electric one? The answer people want is what is less expensive to operate. And, the answer to the question about cost to operate is 'it depends'. Not a very helpful answer but one I had to deal with day in and day out.


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[idroba]

And we can all be friends in the end and enjoy our cold beverage of choice from our refrigerator. I like mine to be very cold, as close to 32 as possible please.

[mefly2]

We shut ours down between weekend trips ...

[m.hony]

Ditto

[Sitting duck]

I always turned mine off and left the door open when not in use.
My biggest problem was wasp nests, not wear.

[TheParula]

Hi begging help , cant figure out where to ask ? leaving tomorrow for 3 weekswith no electric and our refridgerater is not working right. All day only the freezer will work. the fridge is not cooling ? says E3. = low voltage batteries are new and charged ,what can we do or try any thing will help thank youits a newer Serenity

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by TheParula

Hi begging help , cant figure out where to ask ? leaving tomorrow for 3 weekswith no electric and our refridgerater is not working right. All day only the freezer will work. the fridge is not cooling ? says E3. = low voltage batteries are new and charged ,what can we do or try any thing will help thank youits a newer Serenity

How sure are you about the batteries? Many stories about new trailers whose batteries weren’t properly maintained on dealer lots so even new units have less ham good batteries (happened to me). Unless the fridge is meant to run on batteries, the batteries would only power the electronics - you’d want to have it set on propane (not electric, unless plugged in) for the cooling process.

You might try shutting it off for a few seconds then turning it back on and being sure it’s running on propane. Also try putting frozen blue ice packs in the fridge at the top part by the fins.

Hope that helps.