Community Forums

MidMichHunte · 01-26-2021, 07:55 PM

We have a Whirlpool residential refrigerator in our ‘20 Bay Star and I have a question on winter storage. I have the HM stored in a pole barn that is not heated/insulated but it’s hooked up to 50 amp power. My question is, are the refrigerator batteries connected to the house batteries and therefore being hooked up to power will they stay charged throughout the winter and not freeze?

TIA.

tom chelbana · 01-26-2021, 08:19 PM

As long as you are on 50AMP even 30AMP power you fridge will run fine. On our London Aire we keep the coach plugged in at all times and fridge on.
Newmar Man

twinboat · 01-26-2021, 08:25 PM

You don't have seperate fridge batteries and all batteries will be charged on shore power.

The install extra batteries for 120 volt fridges but they add them to the ones it comes with.

New2road · 01-27-2021, 05:48 AM

On battery, your fridge runs off the inverter that pulls power from the house battery. There are no separate fridge batteries. Newmar adds batteries to house bank when a residential fridge is spec'd out.

On shore power you power fridge ( microwave) directly.

If you are on shore power in storage, keep you Battery Disconnect Switch (salesman) switch on so batteries will charge. Bi-directional relay will switch between house and chassis batteries as need to keep charged.

Winemaker2 · 01-27-2021, 07:17 AM

Agree with above but only caution not mentioned is that many residential fridge freezers do not maintain zero degrees when used in an unheated area. With lo temps the compressor runs very little to maintain the 40* fridge temp and the freezer does not get as cold as a result. Best to not rely on freezer storage of food.

Sbrownstein · 01-27-2021, 07:30 AM

Compressor based refrigerators are NOT designed to run when the ambient is below 50 or so. Not really a good idea to keep the reefer on. Otherwise, batteries will be fine if negative terminal is disconnected or converter powered by shore power.

Bushy · 01-27-2021, 09:38 AM

Why leave the fridge ON while in long term storage? It's easy enough to turn off the fridge, either the fridge directly or its circuit breaker, and leave the doors open to minimize odor. That would be my recommendation.

ArtJoyce · 01-27-2021, 09:47 AM

I think the only think you need to DC o is prep the ice maker and water dispenser is you have them

"007" · 01-27-2021, 07:45 PM

Your batteries will charge when its plugged in and the BCO switch is on.
Shut down the fridge and winterize the coach and make sure your wet cells have water above plates if AGM's not needed.
Every thing explained in this link for storage and winterizing.

MidMichHunte · 01-28-2021, 07:28 AM

Thanks all, I appreciate the advise.

I have:
1. Flipped the breaker for the fridge, we won't be using it until late spring.
2. Hooked the HM up to 50amp shore power
3. Turned the Battery Disconnect on (Red light on)
4. Turned off the inverter, per Newmar CS advise
5. Hooked a trickle charger up to the chassis battery

I'm pretty sure 1-3 are correct per this thread, are 4 & 5 correct/needed?

I did winterize the rest of the rig a few months ago, but the batteries were over looked.

New2road · 01-28-2021, 07:51 AM

As long as your electrical system is fully functioning, no need for the trickle charger. Inverter off won't hurt anything. Just remember to turn it back on in spring.

It wouldn't hurt to locate the inverter, in your cargo bay, and identify where the reset is on the device. We tried to run too large a electric heater when at factory for delivery trying to conserve propane. tripped the inverter breaker, on the inverter itself. My first late night in the dark and very cold Indiana winter RV emergency.

cheers,
j