Community Forums

begete · 02-16-2011, 10:23 AM

I know this has been discussed before, but unable to find the thread.

Must a refrigerator be levelled when the rig is in storage for the winter?

azloafer · 02-16-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by begete

I know this has been discussed before, but unable to find the thread.

Must a refrigerator be levelled when the rig is in storage for the winter?

No, just when it is running. Joe

Its Paid For · 02-24-2011, 05:33 PM

Just in case others run across this thread, here is why a running fridge needs to be in a level rig or you may ruin fridge or efficiency be way off.

Behind your fridge is a tank that typically holds amonia, and a series of tubes that zig zag down the back of the fridge. The pipe actually enters your freezer section between the stainless plate. If the nose is to high, the amonia wont flow through zig zag, but may all get stuck on the low side if way off, ruining cooling unit. It may just restrict flow, making unit 50% effective or worse. Likewise if nose of RV is too low, fluid stuck in other side of zig zag.

Side to side would be less of an issue, but level all around is best.

GaryKD · 02-24-2011, 06:20 PM

Hi begete,
Joe is correct. The refrigerator needs to be level only when it is operating.

Matusky · 02-24-2011, 08:37 PM

How does everyone feel about running the fridge while traveling down the road?

WSRG · 02-24-2011, 08:53 PM

The normal bouncing around as the coach goes down the road makes up for any "out of level" condition. This movement causes the ammonia solution to slosh around inside the cooling tubes and actually promotes efficient cooling in the fridge, so it's OK to run the fridge while driving.

Bill

Arch Hoagland · 02-24-2011, 09:00 PM

I don't worry about the refrigerator being level either parked or traveling.

I've had several RV's and never had a problem with any of the refrigerators no matter what angles I've parked at.

w6pea · 02-24-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matusky

How does everyone feel about running the fridge while traveling down the road?

I have heard horror stories about that subject. A lot of people say they do, a lot say they don't. I have never seen it happen in person but have seen it on the evening news of several expensive motor homes going up in flames.
I personally don't run with it on but to each his own.
jmho

offthewall · 02-24-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matusky

How does everyone feel about running the fridge while traveling down the road?

Always do. Have been for 3 travel trailers, and 2 motorhomes. Never an issue. They are designed for such use.

zman62 · 02-24-2011, 09:15 PM

I ruined a fridge from not being level. We were leaving on a trip and the fridge had been on for days prior. I had just set up a new vehicle to tow behind the coach. When I hooked up to the coach the wiring was all wrong . Where the coach was sitting during my rewire job was at a steep angle. I never even thought about the fridge. Hours later we were off on our trip. Once we arrived at our campsite it was flashing codes. It was diagnosed as dead...

Its Paid For · 02-24-2011, 10:25 PM

Like I have said, running while not level forces amonia to not be able to circulate through tubes.

Some Dometic and Norcold had recall issues for the fires. Check your model and simply repair the issue if a recall model.

GaryKD · 02-25-2011, 01:52 PM

Hi Matusky,
I've been running the refrigerator while traveling down the road since 1978. Absolutely no problems encountered. The reason was posted by WSRG.

Tha_Rooster · 02-25-2011, 02:01 PM

Unless you store your rig on it's side you'll be fine just straighten it up a few hours before you plug it in.

RJay · 02-25-2011, 02:44 PM

If memory serves me Norcold recommends a tolerance of 3 degrees front to back and 6 degrees side to side. Applying that to a 40 ft motorhome means that the front bumper can be 24” above or below the back bumper and still operate within specs. I think the refrigerator can tolerate the RV being out of level more than the occupants.