Absorption Refrigeration Protection Control Unit.... new item at Indio

January 15, 2014, 05:06:26 pm

This is one of the few new things I saw at the FMCA vendor show in Indio. It is a control unit for absorption refrigerators which monitors the temperature of the ammonia distillation column in the refrigerator. The inventor claims that the unit does a much better job than the stock control unit. If the temperature gets too high, it shuts off the energy source (gas or electric) and allows it to cool. Evidently the column can easily overheat when not level and this can lead to premature failure and in the worst case scenario, a fire. Here is the website:

ARPrvSafe

and here is a review (not much depth)

Test Report: Absorption Refrigeration Protection (ARP) device - iRV2 Forums

What do you think? Worthwhile? About $120

Re: Absorption Refrigeration Protection Control Unit.... new item at Indio

Reply #1 – January 15, 2014, 08:22:59 pm

Quote from: George Hatfield – January 15, 2014, 05:06:26 pm

....................What do you think? Worthwhile? About $120.......................

George, VERY worthwhile, for NORCOLD and DOMETIC absorption refrigerators (anything with a secondary Hydrogen evaporator agent).
This doesn't just control better! NORCOLD and DOMETIC don't even have this control. That's a large part of why they fail.
Not needed on an ATWOOD He unit as they have a similar, patent pending, tilt safety device.
The ARP device has been around for a few years. The claim is that there has never been a failed absorption refrigerator with this unit installed.
It is a PITA to install though (refrigerator usually has to be fully removed to install it because the whole boiler area must be disassembled and then repacked tightly with original or new insulation, reassembled and refer reinstalled).
It is the aftermarket protection that I am referring to in the following post:

Absorption Refrigerator Options in a U270

I don't know of any competing product(s).
Gary Brinck (of iRV2) is the real deal. Very nice (and capable) individual. He told me about the ARP device when he was first given one to run Beta testing.
Neal

Re: Absorption Refrigeration Protection Control Unit.... new item at Indio

Reply #2 – January 15, 2014, 11:00:06 pm

Thanks Neil. I was hoping you would respond. Keep us posted on how well the Atwood He works for you.

George

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