flameout
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1968 Shasta StarFlyte
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Post by flameout on Jul 13, 2017 18:19:49 GMT -8
We are getting ready to take our first camping trip tomorrow, in our new to us camper. I've ran the fridge on both gas and electric in the past week or so, just sitting in the driveway, and it worked fine. Now we have the camper loaded up, and hitched to the truck, but it's not sitting very level and the fridge isn't getting cold at all after running on electric for the past few hours
Normally after an hour or so, the freezer will start getting cold, but now nothing. Its drawing 1.09 amps, so it's definitely doing something. Ive read that the fridge needs to be level to operate and that running it when not level can actually damage it. Is there any truth to either of those statements? I was hoping to have the fridge cold by morning, but that's not looking like it will happen
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flameout
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1968 Shasta StarFlyte
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Post by flameout on Jul 13, 2017 19:32:06 GMT -8
I went out about an hour ago and jacked up the rear to make it more level. Just went out and checked and it's getting cold! So anyone having problems with their fridge not working properly, first make sure its level!
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Post by vikx on Jul 13, 2017 22:39:55 GMT -8
Older fridges do need to be level to operate, but will get cold regardless at first. As time goes on, the cooling unit becomes damaged, so the cooling is intermittent/lacking if out of level.
Also, gas operation is much better for cooling than electrical. If yours is 12 volt only, that "keeps" the temp while traveling. If it has 110, the heating element will cool the fridge but takes a lot longer.
I'm guessing your unit is old and tired but still working. Enjoy while it lasts...
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flameout
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1968 Shasta StarFlyte
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Post by flameout on Jul 14, 2017 4:44:47 GMT -8
Yes, it's old for sure. 49 years old. No 12v, just gas and 110. I hope it lasts a few more years though. Checking this morning, there was ice cubes in the freezer, but rest of fridge was only about 46°.
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Post by vikx on Jul 14, 2017 21:50:36 GMT -8
I think it's starting to fail.. Typical of the old ones; cold freezer and warm fridge. Take some water jugs full of ice??
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 3, 2017 9:01:34 GMT -8
My experience with fridges of any age is that running them empty or expecting them to cool food down will overwork them.
Stock the freezer with ice and frozen food, stock the fridge with cold food. That should hold for the drive, then turn it on when at the campsite.
By design, most compressors are for intermittent running so they don't overheat. They need the cold sink of the food inside.
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Post by vikx on Sept 3, 2017 20:26:43 GMT -8
Ruderunner is correct for compressor fridges. Most of our RV fridges are absorbtion units and do not have compressors. (they operate by heating anhydrous ammonia) Here is a link to the general info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RV_FridgeOlder RV fridges tend to fail quite often. The cooling unit has to be rebuilt rather than recharged if it leaks. Nowadays, there is no company who works on the smaller units, so many fridges are not repairable. They were great little fridges, and very efficient. Sadly, today's fridges don't last as long. Typical. I never recommend buying a used RV fridge, regardless of price. They either don't cool at all or will quit at any time. Signs of a failing fridge are cold freezer/warm fridge, no cooling, gurgling and yellow powder on the cooling unit. Severe rust on the cooling unit is not good. |
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 10, 2017 5:49:19 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
Make sure the sealing strip around the door is completely seated when the door is closed.
My 85 pop up trailer has a Dometic gas/110 fridge. There is a pin that I use at the top right hand corner of the fridge that is used to keep the door shut during travel or if you place the pin in a second hole, it's used to keep it ajar when stored so mildew wouldn’t grow inside. However, it just creates a gap in the corner of the door sealing strip. Most of the sealing strip is in contact with the fridge box. It does allow air to enter, but the gap would remain after the pin was removed.
The result was that the fridge wasn’t cooling as the air would escape during operation through that gap. So, I started to not use the pin and just leave the door completely open during storage. That corrected the issue.
This was about 8 years ago, but now, the fridge just takes a lot longer to cool down after igniting. That would put the fridge at 32 years old.
Finally, if my memory serves me correctly, I read somewhere years ago that it’s a good idea to store the trailer level because it helps maintain the chemicals in the fridge.
Cheers,
Rod
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