Level Frig

[BeckyFe]

I understand that the frig must be level when it is running, but when camped, what is level enough. Does it have to be 100% or can it be maybe be one hair past the center on a level? Thanks for your input.

[Winterbagoal]

Some will say yes, some no, so I'll just say I have used an older Dometic on gas, off level, more than a few times without starting any fires.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Winterbagoal

Some will say yes, some no, so I'll just say I have used an older Dometic on gas, off level, more than a few times without starting any fires.

Off level is not going to start a fire

Off level interrupts the nature coolant gravity flow which will cause the coolant to become overheated---REGARDLESS of heat source

Overheating causes formation of crystals (sodium chromate) that plate out on inside of tubing which leads to obstruction of flow/more overheating/more crystals/more plating ---repeat
Accumulative and permanent damage

Dometic states "comfortably level...no obvious tilting"
Norcold states "3 degrees/side to side & 6 degrees/front to back"
*In other words...comfortably level---no obvious tilting

When parked......go look in outside fridge compartment
See the absorber tube bundle (large tubing)
Is it 'slanted' downward?
Yes...OK
NO....need to relevel RV

[Lt Dan]

You didn't specify the make and model, but on our Norcold 1200 the tolerance was 3 degrees off level side to side and 6 degrees front to back.

OB beat me, as usual!

[Winterbagoal]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Off level is not going to start a fire

Off level interrupts the nature coolant gravity flow which will cause the coolant to become overheated---REGARDLESS of heat source

Overheating causes formation of crystals (sodium chromate) that plate out on inside of tubing which leads to obstruction of flow/more overheating/more crystals/more plating ---repeat
Accumulative and permanent damage

Dometic states "comfortably level...no obvious tilting"
Norcold states "3 degrees/side to side & 6 degrees/front to back"
*In other words...comfortably level---no obvious tilting

When parked......go look in outside fridge compartment
See the absorber tube bundle (large tubing)
Is it 'slanted' downward?
Yes...OK
NO....need to relevel RV

The "starting fires" comment was tongue in cheek. I should have added an explanatory emoji, I see.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Winterbagoal

The "starting fires" comment was tongue in cheek. I should have added an explanatory emoji, I see.

Probably should have.....
'RV fires' get enough bad press

Misinformation spreads faster then the truth does

[Winterbagoal]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Probably should have.....
'RV fires' get enough bad press

Misinformation spreads faster then the truth does

Particularly on public forums.

[bneiva]

I once read where the rule of thumb is this: If you place a leveler on the floor in front of the refrigerator and you find any part of the bubble in the circle, then you are level enough.

Bill

[LETMGROW]

After owning several travel trailers, a class C and a class A over the years I have found if the RV is reasonably level an absorption refrigerator will work fine. By 'reasonably level' I mean if you can open a door partially and it doesn't open more or close by itself and you can walk around inside the RV without feeling like you are walking up or downhill.
A small level laid on a fridge shelf can be helpful but not absolutely necessary.
Do be mindful though not all doors in RV's are hung plumb to begin with so even at dead level the door may want to creep a bit.