Because this unfortunate occurrence has come up in other context, I'll post this:
For those that have absorption refrigerators, the attached photos are "Poster Children" for the ARPrv module that protects absorption refrigerators from overheating, thermal runaway, bursting and then an increased possibility of fire. This MOT owned coach (sales inventory) burned while we were at MOT during the night of May 23. Day and nighttime temperatures were running in the nineties.
ARPrv | ARP Control | RV Refrigerator | Dometic Recall | Norcold Recall | RV... (https://www.arprv.com/)
The coach had been sitting for a bit, an MOT employee had loaded it for a Memorial Day weekend soccer match trip. The coach was not occupied. After loading, they had noticed that the refer was not cooling down much and then it burned before morning. The fire had been underway for quite a while and the Fire Dept put a lot of water into the coach before entry, so I'm guessing that the insides must have been pretty much destroyed by extensive smoke and water damage.
Sad, but heed the ARPrv protection module and automatically actuated fire extinguisher lessons learned.
HTH,
Neal
Plus 1 on the ARP unit. IMHO a must have for any ammonia refrigerator.
Don't know why ammonia refrigerator manufactures don't include something like it in their products. It's basically just a controller connected to a temperature sensor mounted on the boiler that shuts down the refrigerator when it sees an over temperature condition (usually when the refrigerator is used out of level) then turns it back on when the temperature drops to an acceptable level.
see ya
ken
I'm guessing you would never get the "burned" stink out of it. I wouldn't want it for any price.
But I WOULD take the engine and tranny (+ retarder) if somebody would volunteer to slip them into our GV!
What makes the ARP control different from this, or something similar?
-50-110°C DC12V Heat Cool Temp Thermostat Temperature Control Switch | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/50-110-C-DC12V-Heat-Cool-Temp-Thermostat-Temperature-Control-Switch-/400677190587?oid=121709475222)
It saved our bacon while we were in AZ this winter had installed about a month before we left got to AZ at our hosting site and two days later the fridge went South. That was it for me we installed a residential fridge and no more worries 😎
Kinda interesting as I think the burned coach is similar to ours. As is the refer....I think
Looks like the same principal. ARPrv might have a built in dead band to prevent cycling.
The risk of a fire was the primary motivation for a residential refrigerator for us. We had fire suppression in place. Saw two coach fires and that was it. We are very happy with a worry free residential refrig. It may not be for everyone but it works for us.
Thanks Neil for the thread bump. Lots of newbies this year. Search is a great asset IF you know you SHOULD be looking for for some safety gear or protection item.
How many newbies know about "hot skin"
How many newbies know about "wheel chocks"
How many newbies check their fire extinguisher
Etc. Maybe need a sticky on essential safety gear and coach protection items with links. How about it Mods?
I am looking to put the ARP control on our refrigerator but am curious about the freezer in the basement it is only 120v or 12v and not gas. According to the sticker on the side it contains 134a freon. Has anyone ever had a fire problem on this unit?
Chris
The basement freezer is compressor driven, not really a fire hazard, no ammonia and no hydrogen gas.
Zero chance of being flammable , R-134a spec below.
FLASH POINT:
FLASH POINT METHOD: AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: UPPER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air): LOWER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
FLAME PROPAGATION RATE (solids): OSHA FLAMMABILITY CLASS:
Gas, not applicable per DOT regulations Not applicable
>750°C
None*
None*
*Based on ASHRAE Standard 34 with match ignition Not applicable
Not applicable
I didn't think it was a problem but wanted to get input from others!
Thanks
Chris
also, could I get some input on which ARP system to install -- just the controller or would I benefit by adding 1 or 2 fans?
Chris
There are two different devices you can use. The ARP, which detects overly high temperatures in the boiler section of the refrigerator. Basically, when it senses out of spec temps it shuts down the refrigerator, preventing a cascade event that results in combustion. The next device is a small fire extinguisher with a fusible element which is installed in the access panel area. This device will release a cloud of (I believe it's Halon) to smother an ongoing fire when it senses high temps of improper combustion.
Belt and suspenders. Hard to go wrong with installing them both.
If you are going to stick with the LP refrigerator then protect yourself, your family and your coach and add the ARP device and a fire suppression system. And check your coils regularly for any signs of leaking.
And have a fire escape plan. How are going to get out of the coach if you are in the bedroom and there is a refrigerator or any other fire. The fire extinguisher is by the front door for a reason. If you can get there go there first. Getting out is more important than anything else. Check the fire extinguisher status. Make sure it it OK.
Roger
Where is the best place to purchase the ARP and fire extinguisher?
Chris
ARP is direct.
ARPrv | ARP Control | RV Refrigerator | Dometic Recall | Norcold Recall | RV... (https://www.arprv.com)
Mac The Fire Guy was where we got ours. His store link seems to be broken now.
They are available through Amazon but I would shop for price.
Amazon.com: Fire Fight Products - SS30-90-CAG 90 Degree Small-Format... (https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Fight-Products-SS30-90-CAG-Small-Format/dp/B00ECJ0ICK)
Here are some fire safety video links. Worth watching.
CONTACT (http://www.macthefireguy.com/videos)
You can also buy the ARPrv from RV Cooling Unit Warehouse. They usually have the best price.
http://rvcoolingunit.com/ARP-Control-Cooling-Unit-Failure-Protection--C342739.aspx?sid=298
see ya
ken
We attended the Escapees event in Quartzsite this past January. The inventor of the ARP (Paul) was there and conducted an informational seminar. I never realized the risks that absorption fridge units present and that they are ultimately responsible for many RV fires. This was a "no brainer" decision. The next day Paul installed the unit on our coach as well as our friends coach. I also had him add the additional circuit breaker and cooling fan.
While heading to Chicago from Las Vegas in late April, there were a few times on I-70 in Utah and Colorado on the steep grades that the ARP unit did exactly what it was supposed to do - it shut the fridge down. It started up again when it determined it was safe to. We spend a lot of our time out west so I am glad we had this device installed. In fact, we had a travel trailer (started full-timing in August of 2015) up until last December when we bought our U270 from MOT. If I had known about the issues with absorption fridges and the existence of the ARP device, then I would have certainly installed it in the TT. One would think that the fridge manufacturers would use this device in all new RV's with absorption refrigerators. I was told that there are around 12000 absorption fridges manufactured for the RV industry every month. I think the manufacturers would rather be embroiled in class action lawsuits than pay the inventor of an essential safety device a reasonable fee to use the technology. I am not sure about what percentage of RV fires are caused by the fridge but it has to be up there. Just my 2 cents!
Dave
Totally agree. It would be trivial to add a thermal switch and delay to a control board. Can only guess that while RV frig fires are dramatic they may be less frequent than popular belief. Bean counters running the train I guess.
While fridge fires are a distinct possibility, and do happen although not frequently compared to the hundreds of thousands of them out there. I agree an APR unit is a must. But I also wonder how many owners take the time to clean and inspect, or have a qualified person clean and inspect their fridge a couple of times a year. Along with the heaters and water heater.
About a month ago we where at festival that was dry camping parked next to young couple. They had a new to them 1996 TT, and mentioned that the fridge and water heater where not working. Long story short I took a look and found all matter of bug issues, look like it had been there a while. Cleaned them up and all good.