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Topic: How often should the fridge be run? (Read 917 times) previous topic - next topic
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How often should the fridge be run?
For instance, if the LD sits for a few months should the refrigerator be ran occasionally?
Does it matter for the health of the refrigerator or can they sit off with no problem?
2021 Mid Bath
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #1 –
I know they should be run occasionally but I'm unsure how often or for that matter how long. You are supposed to run your generator two hours every month and I was thinking I'd run the refrigerator off the generator at those times but I'm not really sure if two hours is enough to move the settled sediment so instead of answering your question I'll add to it.  :)
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #2 –
We are snowbirds, so during the time we're not traveling (~April through October), our RV is in storage with the refrigerator off (and the doors propped open).  The only time it's turned on during that period is if we're taking a trip someplace, which is infrequently.  Never had a problem with the refrigerator.
Linda Hylton
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #3 –
"I know they [the fridge] should be run occasionally but I'm unsure how often or for that matter how long."

Consider the other extreme... my fridge never gets turned off, except for an occasional defrost/cleaning.   :o   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"I know they [the fridge] should be run occasionally but I'm unsure how often or for that matter how long."

Consider the other extreme... my fridge never gets turned off, except for an occasional defrost/cleaning.   :o   ;)
From what I've read that's preferable to ever turning it off.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #5 –
Interestingly enough, the only time we turn off the fridge is while we are on the road (propane off) and then only for about 4 or 5 hours then the genny gets fired up and the fridge turned on for and hour or two while still on the road.

This has been SOP for the past year and a half. Works great for bugging out and trip prep.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #6 –
We have left our refrigerator off for 3 months while in storage with no problems.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Ross and Beverly Taylor  - 
We have left our refrigerator off for 3 months while in storage with no problems.
I left one sitting in my old camper for two years and was surprised when it didn't work. Then I started doing some research and found out I killed it by not running it for so long due to sediment settling and clogging things up. Live and learn.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
Interestingly enough, the only time we turn off the fridge is while we are on the road (propane off) and then only for about 4 or 5 hours then the genny gets fired up and the fridge turned on for and hour or two while still on the road.

This has been SOP for the past year and a half. Works great for bugging out and trip prep.

Are you trying to avoid having the propane tank valve open while traveling? If that's the only reason, I would rather run it off of electricity instead of wearing out the generator and using extra gasoline. I'd use the inverter in the coach to supply the 300 watts to the fridge; if it doesn't have an inverter, I'd try the 400 watt inverter I already have. It could be connected to the coach battery with a switch that's turned on just before driving off.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #9 –
I've always run fridge on on propane while driving but I suppose it could be a hazard in a bad wreck.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #10 –
Eric,

Not wanting to steer the OP’s thread too far off course, I’ll simply reply. Yes. I never drive the rig with the propane tank turned on for the reasons of safety as Sawyer mentioned.

For tips on RV fridges, I went to YouTube recently and found this quick video for several good ideas. The most interesting one was in how to avoid the freezer defrost issue. https://youtu.be/E0qU4MOaDlo

Eric,

I like the idea of running an inverter to power the fridge while in transit. Thanks. That being said, the generator consumes very little gasoline for the hour or two while traveling (a drop in the bucket in terms of LD gas use) and the genny does get its exercise (albeit not under “load” as recommended for maintenance). So many great ideas here on LDO.

Tedeboy,

It seems that periodically (a few times a year at least) operating the LD fridge is a good practical way of insuring it’s longevity. Personally, I think that running it often may preclude spiders and such from inhabiting the exhaust vents which is another maintenance issue associated with the RV fridge.

More tips for fridge prep:

https://youtu.be/B_DQJdOkm0Q

https://youtu.be/i2MeLDAMWiA

Just sayin’

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #11 –
Most of the absorption refrigerators I have seen failed were due to the cooling unit's plumbing rusting out, allowing the fluid leak out.
Leaving the refrigerator on keeps the pipes warm, eliminating moisture build up and rust. On the other hand, the constant fluid flow through the plumbing can eventually wear it out internally. 

An older refrigerator that has failed due to sedimentation, in the plumbing, can sometimes be revived by turning the refrigerator inside down and then rotating it several times, over a few hours; This can break up the sediments that block the passage of fluids.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #12 –
"I like the idea of running an inverter to power the fridge while in transit."

The fridge in most Lazy Dazes* draws well over 30 amps of 12 VDC when powered by an inverter. Even if the wiring from your alternator can supply that while driving, if you forget to switch over to propane operation when you stop, that massive load will drain your batteries very fast. I had a whole-house inverter system in Skylark, and if I forgot and left it on without switching the fridge to propane-only, the rate of drain was shocking. I was burned a few times before I learned my lesson.

* I believe the larger fridge in the 30-footers draws even more.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #13 –
Andy,

Thanks. Right back to KISS. Stick with what works for ya...if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

One things for certain...I do not like draining my batteries. This is one of the main reasons I moved on to a 12 volt Blu-ray player. 🧐

Kent

2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
"I like the idea of running an inverter to power the fridge while in transit."

The fridge in most Lazy Dazes* draws well over 30 amps of 12 VDC when powered by an inverter. Even if the wiring from your alternator can supply that while driving, if you forget to switch over to propane operation when you stop, that massive load will drain your batteries very fast. I had a whole-house inverter system in Skylark, and if I forgot and left it on without switching the fridge to propane-only, the rate of drain was shocking. I was burned a few times before I learned my lesson.
The alternator is sized to charge the house batteries, and I often see 60+ amps from the E450 alternator when the house batteries are low, and my SOB has 8 or 6AWG cable from the alternator to the coach batteries.

There are ways to avoid forgetting to switch back to propane. I'd probably use a 30 or 40 Amp automotive relay to switch the inverter on/off, and power it's coil from a fuse on the fuse block that is hot when the engine is running. That way, it'd switch to the inverter only when the engine is running; the fridge would automatically switch from AC to propane when the engine stopped and inverter stopped producing AC. I don't mind driving with the propane turned on, so I haven't tried the inverter idea.

I also installed a whole house inverter in my rig, but moved the AC input for the water heater breaker to the AC input side for the inverter. That made sure the inverter would never run the water heater. Next, I moved the AC input for the fridge AC socket to the water heater breaker, so it got AC only with shore power or the generator. The combined water heater/fridge wattage is about 1300 watts, well within the 15 Amp breaker's limit, at least on my rig.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"I know they [the fridge] should be run occasionally but I'm unsure how often or for that matter how long."

Consider the other extreme... my fridge never gets turned off, except for an occasional defrost/cleaning.   :o   ;)
You must have owned a cruising boat at one time  ;)
2003 MB
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #16 –
"You must have owned a cruising boat at one time."

I wish! I used to be a regular at the S.F. Sport & Boat Show.

Wanted a Boston Whaler 17' at one point in my life but when the hull alone went above $6,000 I gave up the dream.   ::)

Besides, the Lazy Daze has been more places than I could ever have hoped to take a boat.   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #17 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"You must have owned a cruising boat at one time."

I wish! I used to be a regular at the S.F. Sport & Boat Show.

Wanted a Boston Whaler 17' at one point in my life but when the hull alone went above $6,000 I gave up the dream.   ::)

Besides, the Lazy Daze has been more places than I could ever have hoped to take a boat.   ;)
Depends on the boat. My uncle who oddly enough is only a few years older than me is in the middle of a years long sail around the world. Was in Indonesia the last communication we got. His boat is basically a floating RV with all the issues we have and then some. Difference is any little part is a major ordeal in third world countries and he often has to order things from other countries, wait weeks for them to arrive and hitchhike many miles to pick them up. His latest adventure was replacing an outdrive in one if his two engines. Sent to Australia for the part, dry docked the boat and rented a little room to stay in while he did the mechanic work himself. Makes you realize how easy we have things in this country and makes it hard to whine when something goes wrong with my LD or anything else for that matter.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #18 –
Our old itaska 21ft had it's fridge fail with in a couple of years when we got it.  I replaced the core in 1997, we used to use it often and I always left it on electric  in storage (Life Boat) till we knew we would be out of town for an extended time.  From 99 till 2006 we were gone so the fridge was off.  Since then it has been on and working fine, we still own that itaska.  The same goes for the 98 ~ MB, we leave it on electric, it keeps things cool and is ready to go at a moments notice. ( life boat )  We do periodically turn it off for defrosting and let it sit till, as fate would have that's probably when it as a life boat might be needed.  I would say that I am with the camp to leave it on electrically when you are in between trips and leave it off if you are dormant for an extended period of time unless you need it as a life boat.

           Karen~Liam
              98 ~ MB
                NinA


1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Sawyer  - 
Depends on the boat. My uncle who oddly enough is only a few years older than me is in the middle of a years long sail around the world. Was in Indonesia the last communication we got. His boat is basically a floating RV with all the issues we have and then some. Difference is any little part is a major ordeal in third world countries and he often has to order things from other countries, wait weeks for them to arrive and hitchhike many miles to pick them up. His latest adventure was replacing an outdrive in one if his two engines. Sent to Australia for the part, dry docked the boat and rented a little room to stay in while he did the mechanic work himself. Makes you realize how easy we have things in this country and makes it hard to whine when something goes wrong with my LD or anything else for that matter.

Well, there's always this option, starting at $50K.  :o

The Viking World Cruise 2019 – Miami to London in 128 Days

Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #20 –
You reeeeeally have to like being on a boat to survive such a cruise. Very few of the stops include an overnite in the port. Most are “touch-and-go” frenetic daytime visits between long days at sea. Expensive way to get a lot of reading done. At least with an RV you can park for most any length of time that the scenery warrants and use serendipity to guide your way. — Jon (who actually likes shorter cruises!)
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #22 –
Quote from: Jon & Loni  - 
You reeeeeally have to like being on a boat to survive such a cruise. Very few of the stops include an overnite in the port. Most are “touch-and-go” frenetic daytime visits between long days at sea. Expensive way to get a lot of reading done. At least with an RV you can park for most any length of time that the scenery warrants and use serendipity to guide your way. — Jon (who actually likes shorter cruises!)

I've never been on a commercial cruise and haven't been to sea since leaving the Navy in 1995 (can't believe it's been that long, seems like yesterday!), but it can't be any worse than spending three months anchored in the Gulf of Oman repairing submarines, can it?  Then again, at least they were paying ME!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #23 –
Defrosted our fridge today-NOT

It’s been 2 months now since I started this little experiment. I placed the plastic dinner place mat in the rear of the LD fridge freezer. Today I decided to “defrost” the freezer. There was enough frost built up to see how well the experiment worked.

In a word, it worked fantastically. After removing the frozen food and shelf, I simply removed the plastic mat with the frost attached to it. There was no frost build up on the back of the freezer-none.

I then scraped the frost from the mat into the sink and replaced the mat in the freezer. Easy as that. No muss no fuss. Couldn’t be any easier.

Here are pics of the whole process. Total defrost time was less than two minutes. I’m so happy. 😻

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: How often should the fridge be run?
Reply #24 –
How thick is the plastic dinner mat? My concern is it might hinder the cooling of the freezer.
2005 Jayco 24SS