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Topic: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving (Read 924 times) previous topic - next topic

SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Those of you with residential refrigerators installed in your coaches, do you have the refrigerators running while driving?  I am especially interested in those that travel the mountains of the western US and Canada. 

From where I live in the CO mountains, unless I go southeast, I will be climbing to at least 9,000' and many times 11,000'. 

My Samsung residential refrigerator (model number: RS22HDHPNBC) has developed a refrigerant leak according to the appliance repair tech.  He commented that he sees lots of problems with Samsung refrigerators at altitudes above 7,000'.  On our most recent trip we went over Fremont Pass (~11,300') with the refrigerator running.  I am wondering if I should not have had the refrigerator running at that altitude?
Tom and Lisa

2003 U320 38' PBBS
Build No. 6217

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #1 –
I have never turned off any of the residential refrigerators I have had in coaches. 9,000 ft is the highest I have traveled though.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #2 –
First time I have ever heard of any kind of problem with Samsung fridge and high altitude.  It would never occur to me to shut off our fridge, or to avoid a Rocky Mountain High.  (John D. reference)

Now AIR BEDS...that's another story!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #3 –
I have been 10,666' (Vail Pass) and many other high points, but do not have those exact heights, and have not had a problem with my Samsung RF18HFENBSG.  The only time I had a problem was when I did not run the AC and the interior of the coach got to around 110 degrees and the ice cream was not hard, but still cold like soft serve.  The sun was also beating on the refrigerator side of the coach.  Decided to run the AC and suck up the electric bill ;), not a problem after that.
Oscar & Janet Valent
2023 Coach House 261XLQD
Former 2004 U320 3820 PBBS
Former 2007 Newell Coach #815
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #4 –
I had mine over 7000 feet many times and no issues
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #5 –
Not sure elevation is that important.

BUT, when leaving a CG, I turn OFF the residential refrigerator.  We have a remote-read thermometer in the refrigerator.  The readout was at the driver's side ( the one NOT holding the steering wheel-- ya, you read correctly). If/when it reaches 42 degrees F, it went back on.  That kept food safe, but did not work the inverter or refrigerator more than necessary.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #6 –
There is nothing in the installation or use instructions for out RF18... Samsung regarding altitude.  We have been over many passes in the 9,000 ft range with no problems. Ours is on all the time.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #7 –
 I severally doubt altitude was an issue leading to a refrigerant leak. A couple of ? That might lead to extremely high refrigerant head pressure that may cause a leak to occur.
 Did you seal off and insulate the external access panel?
Did you seal off the old roof vent?
While under way these air leaks could bring in a considerable amount of hot ambient air causing extremely high head pressure.
Somehow the condenser air behind or below the refrigerator  needs to freely circulate into the inside of the coach to avoid high head pressure leaks and failures. Best done by gravity, but A pancake fan could help.
In a nutshell, a poorly ventilated condenser coil in a hot space is going to lead to extremely high head and tubing pressures and high tubing temperatures while vibrating and bump loads which will cause tubimg joint failures.
Vent it and add some support to any cantilevered sections of the coil.
 Yah I suck at explaining stuff.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
BUT, when leaving a CG, I turn OFF the residential refrigerator.  We have a remote-read thermometer in the refrigerator.  The readout was at the driver's side ( the one NOT holding the steering wheel-- ya, you read correctly). If/when it reaches 42 degrees F, it went back on.  That kept food safe, but did not work the inverter or refrigerator more than necessary.
Brett, how did you (or, rather, the "driver" - hey, I resemble that remark!  :))  ) turn the refrigerator off/on while underway?

We have the Samsung RS22HDHPNSR (same as the OP's RS22HDHPNBC, only stainless steel not black), and there does not appear to be a way to turn off the refrigerator unless it is done by cutting off the power (ie, unplugging it or shutting off the inverter).
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Patricia –
Brett, how did you (or, rather, the "driver" - hey, I resemble that remark!  :))  ) turn the refrigerator off/on while underway?

We have the Samsung RS22HDHPNSR (same as the OP's RS22HDHPNBC, only stainless steel not black), and there does not appear to be a way to turn off the refrigerator unless it is done by cutting off the power (ie, unplugging it or shutting off the inverter).

Just turned on/off the inverter.  The refrigerator is the only thing we run on it while driving.

If other 120 VAC things running while driving, turn on/off the breaker for the refrigerator in the main 120 VAC breaker panel.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #10 –
There is no on/off switch for these Samsung Refrigerators.  Samsung recommends unplugging it if it is not in use for an extended time.  I wired the outlet for mine to a switch on the front end end the kitchen cabinets (along with another duplex outlet).  Makes it easy to shut power off.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #11 –
My brother got a Samsung and he had a compressor failure and leak in his house. The repair guy said that Samsung expects a certain number to fail in a year he got a new fridge out of the deal.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John S –
The repair guy said that Samsung expects a certain number to fail in a year...
Since perfection is such a elusive goal, I imagine every manufacture expects a certain number of every product to fail in a year.

That's why they invented warranties...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #13 –
A residential refer was, I am sure, designed to be at the same temps as the human owners live it and to be stationary.

That being said they seem to work well as far as the moving. 

Interesting that there is no off switch and the refers compressor is basically never off. 

My buddy found more than 10 degree swings in a old style on/off compressor refers temp
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #14 –
Our son lives in Leadville, CO (10,200) and we visited there when we had our Samsung in the coach. We were camping in Buena Vista, because I just cannot hang at the 10,000 level for too long, and BV is about 7,500.  We had no issues with our fridge at BV, nor when we drove to Leadville and stayed for just a few days. We never turned it off ... driving, boon docking, or in a campground. Never a problem, and it is still treating the new owners well as far as I know.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #15 –
Way back when, we replaced the inverter with a new one just so we could run the residential refrigerator when necessary. We've done it that way a couple of times, but usually the generator is on while driving. That keeps the air conditioners running and lets the navigator have all of her toys working.

We've not yet been in the mountains with our coach, so don't know how anything will handle the altitude. I think the highest we've ever had the coach was about 6000 feet for a few minutes.
 

Re: SOP for residential refrigerators while driving

Reply #16 –
We have our Samsung RF18 refrigerator operating while we travel. Typically it is powered by our Magnum inverter, but if we need to use our generator for other reasons then it powers the Samsung. So far everything has worked perfectly.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186