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Topic: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days. (Read 1152 times) previous topic - next topic

Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

We are storing our coach in an enclosed pole barn and connected to a 50 amp circuit.  We know what to do with heat and with the Aqua-Hot and the generator, but Sandy and I have different opinions as to whether or not we need to empty the fridge and turn it off.

What would you do?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #1 –
George,

I know of no overwhelming reason to support either decision.

If you do turn it off, make sure to dry out the inside and leave both refrigerator and freezer doors open.

If in a real humid area and you shut it off, you might do as I do and put a 15 watt light bulb in the outside refrigerator compartment to keep everything above the dew point so moisture doesn't condense on the metal components.

Brett
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: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #2 –
If it was me....  (and I am known to be a "nervous Nellie"  ;) )

I would turn off the fridge and empty it out (obviously).

Reason being - even if you have good power where you're storing, you don't know what may happen.  The fridge could kick over to gas in the event of a power failure.

So what?  you ask...  well, we have seen what happened when the cooling unit failed (leaked) and the power (on a beautiful, sunny day), went on and off repeatedly.  We even smelled the ammonia and reported it to the facility owner.

(note this is not our coach)

Later that evening we found out that coach was destroyed in the fire that resulted when the refer igniter lit the ammonia of the failed cooling unit.

Better safe than sorry.  Theoretically, you might get away with shutting off the propane valve, but all it takes is one spark (the first time the igniter tries to fire)...  Or less offensively, but still nasty, have the fridge fail early on and have it closed up and not running.  P-U (and lots of clean up)!

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #3 –
I leave mine on in that setting, as long as it is level. I think less corrosion forms on outside of coils. The corrosion forms on outside of coils, based on condensation being trapped with insulation.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #4 –
Sandy wins.
 
Good advice, Michelle.  Thank you.  We will turn off, clean out and leave doors ajar.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #5 –
If nothing else, it gives you a chance to clean the fridge (and an excuse to throw out those "not quite great, but we paid money for them" items languishing, uneaten)  ;)

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #6 –
Yup!
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #7 –
I leave mine on all the time. I defrost it a couple times a year though. No issues in nine years on the FT and three yes on the Born Free.
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: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #8 –
                 george ,  i've  had foretravels since 1996 , have never turned one off except to defrost . have not had problem so far . A factory  tech for my fridge at the FMCA  Perry Ga. said to me , let  it run ,less movement of heated unit if left on, rather comming from cold start up . Claims heat and expansion  into cool and contraction is the movement issue . I am only  repeating his words , I have zero smarts on this subject .
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #9 –
Hi George,
    Take anything out that will spoil, and leave the refer on electric. 
Turn off the propane if it will make you feel better.  Usually, when the electric goes off, it will eventually come back on before the tubes
start to accumulate much moisture, and will dry out the tubes when it starts up.

Good luck,
LynnD
'01 GV

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #10 –
Lynn,
 
We will turn off the fridge, but I am curious about using it on electricity.  Is there heat in the flue then?  I thought the vent tube or pipe was only for the heat from the gas flame. I'm still learning.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #11 –
George,

The flue is hot under electric.  The electric heating element is actually buried in the flue insulation.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #12 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
We will turn off the fridge, but I am curious about using it on electricity.  Is there heat in the flue then? 
I thought the vent tube or pipe was only for the heat from the gas flame. I'm still learning.
George, I have photos of where the heating elements are in the flue when I replaced my cooling unit.
Both electric & propane need to send the heat up the flue.
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/replacing_refrigerator_cooling_unit.htm
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #13 –
Thank you, Barry.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #14 –
Hi George,
    Didn't want you to think that I was ignoring you, but never have seen a need for multiple posts, saying basically the same thing.  As long as it gets answered, correctly, that is good enough for me.

Good luck,
LynnD
'01 GV

Re: Should we turn off the fridge? We are storing the coach for 28 days.

Reply #15 –
George,

Something we've been doing since the '40's that may be helpful follows:

A cup of fresh coffee grounds placed in a stored fridge will absorb moisture and any persisting odors. Freezer compartments too. Inevitably, someone always seems to shut the door(s).

We have tried baking soda and it's effect doesn't work as well. Baking soda will form a crust from moisture and the effect is nullified, it appears.

With your short term storage, the above my not be required. In my situation, one of the coaches is always in storage.

FWIW

John
Just enjoying life &  friends wherever we  park


 '91 Foretravel U300/'94 Foretravel U280