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Refrigerator in Texas heat


woman_who_sees

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Our refrigerator keeps going up from 40 degrees to 60 or more.  Is this normal in hot weather?  Can we do anything about it?

Bill (DH), Jan (DW), Sunshine (DBird), and Gila and Tacobelle (DCats)

 

2004 Winnebago Sightseer

 

"Folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" (after a cup of coffee)

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I’m assuming that you have a Dometic or Norcold fridge.
 

Short-term fixes (maybe) . . .

If possible, shade the fridge side of your RV.

Put some dry ice in the lower part of your fridge.

Longer-term fixes . . .

Install a fan inside your fridge.

Install a fan on the TOP of your fridge compartment so the it pulls air UP and out of the compartment. Then make a path for air to be pulled from INSIDE into your fridge compartment and BLOCK the existing outside air vent.

Install a adjustable thermistor.

Install a residential fridge,

 

 

SKP #79313 / Full-Timing / 2001 National RV Sea View / 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
www.rvSeniorMoments.com
DISH TV for RVs

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If it is the original 2004 refrigerator, it may well be on it's last legs. It is normal for an RV refrigerator to need to operate on it's highest setting in hot weather and temperatures will vary some, but not that much. Mine is able to keep the chill area below 40 degrees in even the hottest weather. 

Check in the back for any signs or a yellow sludge or powder. If it is there that is an indication of a refrigerant leak. 

Edited by Kirk W

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

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If the fridge is on the sunny side (south and west) you need to get it shaded without blocking air flow.  As noted, due to age, it may be on its way to the RV graveyard.  Look on the outside of the unit for any signs of a yellow powder on the piping, especially at the joints.  If you have the slightest hint of ammonia smell it is leaking.

You can also add a 12-volt 4" computer fan in the outside compartment blowing up toward the top to aid in cooling the unit.

Ken

Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot

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  • 4 weeks later...

Simple tricks I've learned.   Use a thick foam cooler to put your cold foods in while transporting from the grocery store to camp.  Plan your moves before you open the fridge to minimize time the door is open.  Like having a bottle of water ready to go back in to replace to cold one you are taking out.

Our first trip out we realized how handy a small dorm type 120VAC fridge would be to keep outside.   Next trip our lasted 4 months and we took our tiny dorm fridge.   This fall we go for 7 months and are taking a 4.3 cu ft mini fridge.

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And many RV parks prohibit outside appliances such as refrigerators.  Better check before you set it up. 

Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot

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On 7/8/2022 at 10:08 AM, TXiceman said:

And many RV parks prohibit outside appliances such as refrigerators.  Better check before you set it up. 

Where we spend the winter allows outside fridges.   I did wire in a 12 VDC power supply fan to help with air circulation over the coils.

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  • 4 weeks later...

look into a iceco  unit.

icecofreezer.com

 

wont really solve the problem. but these unit do work 120V ac or 12V dc. will also do "other" voltages.

can be used as a extra. to store food stuffs. or as a usable unit that way you keep the in-house closed.

but as to the built in unit. do you have a aux fan on the outside coils blowing hot air out and away? is this area clean? no bugs, dust, trash? and after X number of years they do fail, just due to the loss of coolant. motors wearing out, etc.

but if parked for a couple weeks, months. shade that part of your rv. but never block free air movement.

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  • 1 month later...

Our solution was expensive. We had a Norcold 1094 AC/LP unit that was 14 years old. We the working parts replaced with a Dutch Aire unit. Now it even keeps ice cream frozen.

Other things to do to help. Defrost frequently - I do it every 10-14 days in humid climates. It will work much more efficiently.

Keep groceries in insulated containers when coming from the store. Keeping the temperature down reduces the strain on the unit.

Don't overload it with warm food. 10# of hamburger may be a good deal but it has a large heat mass to overcome when tossed in the freezer

Jinx and Wayne

2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

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