Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 15, 2025 ...

Running Absoption Refer "Off Level"

October 11, 2012, 01:13:38 pm

Running absorption refer "off level" for even a short time  with high ambient temperatures is causing damage.
An absorption refer works only because gravity moves liquids around inside at designed rates when the refer is level. Running an absorption refer "off level" will slow (or even stop) the movement of liquids inside, causing the boiler to run hotter, or even to overheat. When the boiler overheats, the corrosion inhibitor liquid (sodium chromate) crystalizes and drops to the bottom of the tubing or the boiler restricting the movement of liquid. Crystalized sodium chromate will never re-liquify and will permanently reduce both the cooling ability of the cooling unit, and the corrosion inhibiting ability of the remaining sodium chromate. If crystalized sodium chromate plugs the small perculator tube, which is inside the boiler, the absoption process stops and the cooling unit must be flushed and recharged or replaced.

I believe that the more time an absorption refer is run "off level", the shorter its life will be.

Running an absorption refer "off level" is damaging, like driving at 70 mph at 110F with an under inflated tire. Even if the tire does not blow, it has been damaged.

Quote Selected

Re: Running Absoption Refer "Off Level"

Reply #1 – October 11, 2012, 01:29:48 pm

I wonder just how "off level" off level is.  Anyone know the limits?

Keith

Quote Selected

Re: Running Absoption Refer "Off Level"

Reply #2 – October 11, 2012, 07:20:16 pm

Interest question as how much "off level" is OK?  Know that there are some refers in use in sailboats, usually trimaran or catamarans.  Not sure if I ever seen one in use in a sailboat.

Quote Selected

Re: Running Absoption Refer "Off Level"

Reply #3 – October 11, 2012, 07:51:18 pm

I believe as long as your moving, level or not is moot. However parked and not level is where problems occur with the ammonia settling and not circulating. If the degree of "unlevel" is uncomfortable for us humans I don't think the refer is happy. We try to make sure the "humans" are happy hopefully that's good enough for the refer.

Roland

Quote Selected

Re: Running Absoption Refer "Off Level"

Reply #4 – October 12, 2012, 12:26:27 am

I would think that the level of "unlevel" while driving is not an issue because the mere fact that the coach is going up and down and sideways will assist the liquid to travel around the system. While stationary is a different matter as the pressure is not sufficient to "push" liquid uphill for too long.
(simple terminology)
John H

Quote Selected

Re: Running Absoption Refer "Off Level"

Reply #5 – October 12, 2012, 06:48:21 am

I checked on line with Thetford Corporation the maker of Norcold refrigerators. Normal leveling of the vehicle is sufficient if the frig was installed correctly. With the vehicle leveled the refrigerator is made to operate within 3 degrees of level side to side and 6 degrees of level front to back as you look at the front of the refrigerator. With the vehicle leveled use a level to check refrigerator installation. Even 3 degrees is a lot , 3 degrees for a length of 10 inches is  .510 inches . Gam

Quote Selected