Community Forums

richp5 · 05-05-2019, 01:37 PM

We use our RV 1 x every 6 weeks and have it plugged in to 50 amp when parked. The fridge has been on since late March keeping drinks cold and wondered if leaving it on is bad long term. We're going on a 4-day trip in two weeks so when I return i'm wondering if it should be turned off when parked for extended periods.

Thanks for any replies.

MSHappyCampers · 05-05-2019, 01:58 PM

I don't see any harm either way! We leave ours off until the day before a trip.

ThePowells · 05-05-2019, 02:00 PM

You can turn a fridge off???

marjoa · 05-05-2019, 02:39 PM

My response is based on my assumption that you have a absorption fridge.

When we went on—periodical trips—we'd turn our absorption fridge OFF and prop the doors open until the day before our next trip. We lived in Houston, TX at the time and it gets really hot there in the summer. Absorption fridges usually have a venting problem anyway to dissipate all the heat in the back, so I saw no need to add to that problem when not using it. I have since done a lot of work on our fridge including installing an ARP unit, 2 fans in the back and working on the upper baffle area to channel heat out the roof. We FT now and the only time it is turned OFF is when we're under way to our next destination and everything stays nice and cold until our next arrival.

For anyone interested, here's a link to the thread of what I did to my fridge Post# 9
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/norco...ml#post4554384

If you have a absorption fridge leaving it ON while stored is ok, just be sure your coach is level or it can damage that type of fridge over time. If it were me I'd turn it OFF between trips.

My 2 cents.

Nevadastars · 05-05-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePowells

You can turn a fridge off???

Pepper2 · 05-05-2019, 02:42 PM

Every device/component has a life span expectancy. Why use up life span when your not using it. Before FT'ing I always turned our frig off and started it the night before we went camping.

Cat320 · 05-05-2019, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepper2

Every device/component has a life span expectancy. Why use up life span when your not using it. Before FT'ing I always turned our frig off and started it the night before we went camping.

Same here, actually we turn it on two days before departure, that way when we load the refer the day prior, it's already cold.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-05-2019, 03:19 PM

No movng parts in an absorption fridge, so not much wear & tear to leave it on. The most harm would be to your wallet, in the form of a notably larger electric bill (the electric mode is a power hog). But why leave anything on for 6 weeks when not needed? I'd turn it off it the time between trips was that long. Or anything over 2-3 weeks.

ThePowells · 05-05-2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Ours hasn't been off in 2 years and 2 months.

Our fridge will way outlast our time in this coach and probably us.

Old-Biscuit · 05-05-2019, 10:08 PM

Picked up our new 5th wheel Sept of 2006.....set it up next to house and started loading it for life on the road.
Fridge was turned on that week.

Other then 3X-4X a year for defrosting that fridge has been ON....AC when available and propane when AC not available.

5vr currently is parked next to S&B *we have FHU.....fridge is stocked with basics'

5rv is available for use as guest quarters, emergency and my favorite....Man Cave
When working in yard and I need a break....A/C Unit, TV and a Cold beverage is readily available

Costs us roughly extra $40/mo on electric bill........cheaper then any local storage and it's right here usable.

Arch Hoagland · 05-05-2019, 10:23 PM

Do any of you people who leave your refrigerator on 24/7 live in California?

Electricity is expensive out here, can't imagine leaving mine on when it's parked next to the house.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-06-2019, 07:39 AM

It shouldn't be an always or never situation. If you are using the RV when at home, e.g. guest quarters or man-cave, keeping the fridge on makes some sense. If it's just sitting there, closed up and waiting for the next trip, turning it off is a simple method of cost and energy savings.

Hit_the_Rhod · 05-06-2019, 08:18 AM

On all the time. But ours is a residential fridge. If a Dometic or Norcold, it would be off, ALL the time until I got a chance to replace it with a residential, but that's just me!

grindstone01 · 05-06-2019, 08:26 AM

A refrig is no different than a light, if your not using it, turn it off, why waste electricity/gas? That said, our refrig has been on for 6+ years of full timing, 4 years with a Norcold and last 2 years with a residential refrig. Got tired of soft ice cream!