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06-15-2010, 05:06 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 137
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Leaving Refer On While Plugged In
I have been curious about this matter for a long time now. While we are plugged into shore power (110) while RV is in the drive, is it OK to leave the refridgerator on in electric mode? I am somewhat concerned on how it effects the overall operation and does this cut into length of good operation by the unit. I know that there is probably no hard evidence in either pro or con, but I guess I am looking for experience from others doing the same thing. Thanks in advance!
Carl
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Carl and Valarie * 1997 National RV Dolphin 535,
2003 Jeep Wrangler,
Yamaha Roadstar Silverado
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06-15-2010, 05:12 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 797
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That's a question often asked but never really answered. My spin is that internal rusting of the cooling tubes seems to do most units in. Condensation being the moisture. By having the unit on 24/7 minimizes the temperature flux that might produce the condensation. So I leave mine running. Those that fulltime might have a better feeling for this as they leave theirs running 24/7 as well. Their repair history may tell a different story.
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Peter
1997 F53 Adventurer 37rw
IAFF L-792 (Retired)
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06-15-2010, 05:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 153
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people who full time in parks leave them plugged in all the time, I would think (hope) that the mfr's have taken that into consideration.
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06-15-2010, 05:20 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 320
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Talked with a Tech, who keeps his on 24/7, his fridge is now 18 years old.
Mine has been on for 4 years.
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06-15-2010, 05:47 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,713
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Ours is always on. There is no evidence that constant use in any way shortens the life expectancy of an RV fridge.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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06-15-2010, 08:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 137
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Well, I have to admit, I like the responses, all make sense. We like to "drop into" our unit every now and again, cook outside, eat in the RV etc., change of pace, and it is always so convenient to have a cold refer, plus a place for extra food if needed.
Thanks everybody!
__________________
Carl and Valarie * 1997 National RV Dolphin 535,
2003 Jeep Wrangler,
Yamaha Roadstar Silverado
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06-15-2010, 10:13 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,875
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Ours is on all the time.
__________________
2001 National Tradewinds 7370 300 Cat
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
Officially fulltiming. The Journey Begins
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06-15-2010, 11:42 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,603
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I have heard that leaving the fridge on will extend its life.
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06-16-2010, 06:03 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,589
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I keep mine on 24/7 but alot of people forget the importance of being level. Below is an excerpt from the Norcold Service Manual:
Leveled Operation
The circulation of the refrigerant through the cooling
unit is accomplished by gravity flow; therefore, the
refrigerator must be operated leveled. Off-level
operation will effect the flow of the refrigerant through
the cooling system. The maximum off-level operation
limits are:
3 degrees from side-to-side.
6 degrees from front-to-back.
Exceeding the maximum off-level limits can
permanently damage the cooling unit.
The cooling unit or its performance are not affected
when the vehicle is in motion.
__________________
2007 Newmar DSDP 4023
Discovery is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
If you want to see what man made go East; if you want to see what God made go West.
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06-16-2010, 09:47 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ca/UT
Posts: 417
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When we first got our C, we left it plugged in.
We now have an A and leave it plugged in as well.
This way its ready to go when we are or in an emergency(like an earthquake).
Hope this helped answer your question.
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donnie(KE6DON), Linda, and 2furrykid s Buddy & Rain
2016 SouthWind32VS, 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited
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06-16-2010, 09:54 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 4,946
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think of it like a nuclear power facility
shutting down causes longer start up times and cool down.
ours in all of our rigs has stayed on 24/7, if its going to sit a while with no door opening events i will run the temp to 2 or 3 vice its normal 5 or 6
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USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, #3998 no your eyes are fine, there are really 6 slides
2022 F150 King Ranch or 2012 Edge toads
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06-16-2010, 10:01 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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Ours stays on 24/7 while in storage unless it's being defrosted.
Rusty
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06-16-2010, 10:35 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,696
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I suspect it's far more an issue of personal preference and usage than anything to do with longevity of the cooling unit. The Dometic in our '88 Kit 5er is only turned on when actually used - which is rather sparse - and works as good as it did when we bought it new in '88. We run it on electric as much as possible - and as far as we can see, the expense of running it for extended periods when not actually being used is the main downside...
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John Day....|'88 Winnebago Super Chief 27ft. Class A Eastern .....|'88 KIT model 240 24 ft. 5er Oregon ......|'02 Dodge/Cummins 2500 Quad Cab
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06-16-2010, 11:09 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 474
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While it likely will not shorten the life of the fridge, its a huge waste of electricity. Why leave something turned on that you are not using. Such a waste.
__________________
38ft 2008 Damon Daybreak 3575 (forward kitchen)on Ford 22,000lb chasis, 242" WB.
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