RV fridge

Topic: RV fridge (Read 1463 times) previous topic - next topic

RV fridge

April 30, 2020, 12:56:37 am

Without opening up a can of worms on what's better RV or res fridge. I have a JC refrigeration cooling unit gas electric. As luck would of have it we be stuck in Yuma till around May 15th 105 today.but we are under cover. The question is we are able to keep the fridge at 40-42 freezer at -10 with 2 fans running in the back of fridge for the evaporator. Is that about as good as it gets give the ambient temps?

Re: RV fridge

Reply #1 – April 30, 2020, 01:04:11 am

Cannot answer your question directly but if possible I would point a fan at the refers exterior door in the body. More airflow over the coils? Set on a ladder? Plugged in to 110 volt.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #2 – April 30, 2020, 01:09:43 am

These are 12v fans installed with tstat in the back of the fridge for the condenser at the top of the fridge

Re: RV fridge

Reply #3 – April 30, 2020, 01:39:53 am

I would add the additional at the bottom through the door. Can't hurt. Other than that the refer seems to be over its capacity?

Re: RV fridge

Reply #4 – April 30, 2020, 01:51:07 am

No doubt 100+ degrees is a bit over the design point of RV fridges.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #5 – April 30, 2020, 06:47:30 am

Bruce, yes.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #6 – April 30, 2020, 08:52:06 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – April 30, 2020, 01:39:53 am

I would add the additional at the bottom through the door. Can't hurt. Other than that the refer seems to be over its capacity?

Actually it COULD hurt. You need laminar flow over the condenser, not turbulent air. Fans above the condenser sucking air through the condenser and up through the roof vent gives best refrigerator performance.

Also, verify that there is the correct (narrow) gap between the back of the refrigerator and side of coach-- your refrigerator owners manual gives these specs. Too large a gap allows more turbulence and allows air to go around instead of through the condenser.

Clearly, any way to shade that side of the coach is a big help to refrigerator performance.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #7 – April 30, 2020, 09:39:49 am

Bruce, do you have any fans on the fins inside the refrigerator? They not only keep the fins from frosting up in humid conditions (not Yuma) but they circulate the air and keep the temperature inside a bit lower.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #8 – April 30, 2020, 10:01:43 am

Or one of these;

Re: RV fridge

Reply #9 – April 30, 2020, 10:10:01 am

I would avoid introducing any plastic into the fridge compartment in case of a fire. If you have made the compartment fire resistive, there is nothing to burn once the hydrogen has burned off in a short time. Don't want to give the fire any fuel to keep going. Naturally, I'm talking about a propane RV fridge.

Pierce

Re: RV fridge

Reply #10 – April 30, 2020, 10:44:23 am

That blue plastic fan actually goes inside the refrigerator.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #11 – April 30, 2020, 01:03:47 pm

Quote from: bbeane – April 30, 2020, 12:56:37 am

I have a JC refrigeration cooling unit gas electric. As luck would of have it we be stuck in Yuma till around May 15th 105 today.but we are under cover. The question is we are able to keep the fridge at 40-42 freezer at -10 with 2 fans running in the back of fridge for the evaporator. Is that about as good as it gets give the ambient temps?

I installed the JC Refrigeration cooling unit in our fridge and I think it has a little more capacity for moving heat than what came from Dometic.

Either way you're doing well with those figures.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #12 – April 30, 2020, 01:15:45 pm

Ammonia Refrigerator Hot Weather Mod

Re: RV fridge

Reply #13 – April 30, 2020, 01:46:09 pm

Seems the fan pushing the air in then up does work. A redneck ghetto cure would be to put a tiny window air on a support and blow cold air into the refers grille?

Re: RV fridge

Reply #14 – April 30, 2020, 01:51:33 pm

Quote from: Travelin' Man – April 30, 2020, 10:44:23 am

That blue plastic fan actually goes inside the refrigerator.

Sounds good. The twin fans at the top of the fridge seem to work well too.

Brett's idea about avoiding the sun on the fridge side of the coach in the hottest time of day seems good. Nice to have white outside of the coach by the fridge too.

Pierce

Re: RV fridge

Reply #15 – April 30, 2020, 05:08:31 pm

Is your coach painted?

Re: RV fridge

Reply #16 – April 30, 2020, 05:21:51 pm

Nope white gelcoat. Put another small blower in the back 39 in the fridge -10 in the freezer. I think about as good as it gets when it's 105

Re: RV fridge

Reply #17 – April 30, 2020, 05:25:25 pm

Quote from: bbeane – April 30, 2020, 05:21:51 pm

Nope white gelcoat. Put another small blower in the back 39 in the fridge -10 in the freezer. I think about as good as it gets when it's 105

I'd say it's doing pretty good given absorption refrigerators are only good for 50 to 60 degrees below ambient.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #18 – April 30, 2020, 06:43:31 pm

Quote from: Doug W. – April 30, 2020, 05:25:25 pm

I'd say it's doing pretty good given absorption refrigerators are only good for 50 to 60 degrees below ambient.

Thanks, I think it's ok as well. As soon as I get the trans shifter control back we be heading for cooler weather.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #19 – April 30, 2020, 06:48:09 pm

If I was closer Bruce I'd stop by for an ice cold beer.
Where y'all headed, New Hampsha?

Re: RV fridge

Reply #20 – April 30, 2020, 08:08:41 pm

Idaho

Re: RV fridge

Reply #21 – April 30, 2020, 09:06:14 pm

When it gets past 105 and since mechanically refer is doing its best, may put a bowl of ice inside to help it a bit. Won't need to in Idaho but there will be days in Yuma.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #22 – April 30, 2020, 09:38:49 pm

Quote from: bbeane – April 30, 2020, 08:08:41 pm

Idaho

Cool!

Re: RV fridge

Reply #23 – May 01, 2020, 10:56:52 am

If you keep the inside of your coach cool I don't think you'll have a problem. Just keep the door closed as much as possible and get in and out quick when you put something in or take it out. Don't put a case of warm soda or water in there and expect it to cool down any time soon.

Re: RV fridge

Reply #24 – May 01, 2020, 02:54:58 pm

With those kinds of temps I don't think you can do much better than low 40º. I won't worry about it.

One thing I learned about absorption it takes a while to catch up once it does get warm. I was re-fanning the absorption fins inside the fridge the other day and had the door open about 15 minutes. Temp went up 10º. Took over 24 hours to get back to normal.

As Mr. Slim says open as little as possible in those temps. Move your beer to an ice cooler!

see ya
ken

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