Refrigerator how cold?

[hkreck]

I have a new Flagstaff 21FBRS with a Dometic refrigerator. I have the slide on the fins set all the way up in the coldest level. In the morning the frig is at around 35 degrees by the mid afternoon it's up to around 41-42 degrees. I am just wondering how cold it should get at the present setting? I had an other RV with a similar frig and it seemed like it ran colder than this. I do have a RV smart fan set up inside of the frig so the air is circulating. Any thoughts?

[Chuck_S]

You many benefit from an external fan blowing up the stack to increase cooling back there.

Also consider using propane in stead of 115vAC.

-- Chuck

[hkreck]

I have considered the outside fan. I checked on the Dometic site and found out that the normal temp for this frig is 38-42 degrees. So maybe it ok where it's at? I may try putting a fan outside of the lower vert to see if circulating air up there helps out before buying a fan to put in there.

[ependydad]

Household fridges are 38 degrees. Seeing 38-42 degrees is within acceptable ranges to me.

Once you hit 45 and up, then it's too warm.

[Scrapper]

If your fridge has a roof vent it will cool better than ones with both side vents. The addition of computer fans installed behind the fridge will help, just make sure the fan is blowing upward. Doing a search on the forum will get you several diy fan installation threads.

[5picker]

It isn't unusual during the heat of the day (especially if the sun is beating on the side where the refrigerator is located) to rise in temp several degrees.

At 42º I would have no concern but much more than that and you need to figure how to shade it the sun from the R/V or add some cooling fans to help. And yes, refrigerators in slides are much more prone to inefficient cooling than those that vent directly to the roof. (chimney effect)

The sides of these R/V are awfully inefficient at insulating the refrigerator from high temps. That was one of the original touts back in the day of going with a residential style refrigerator in an R/V was because they set inside, a bit away from the outer wall and have their own insulation. Of course we've all come to find they have their own set of issues as well.

[Theo]

I take it that your fridge is on the rear wall of the TT? One thing that may help is to be aware of your orientation when you camp. Try to avoid having the sun hit the rear of the trailer during the day by facing the rear of the trailer to the north, if possible.

I have also seen some homebuilt window shade-like thingies that mount to the side/rear of the trailer to prevent the sun from baking the exterior behind the fridge. I'll see if I can find a photo...

Here!

[Chuck_S]

First thing to do is switch it to LP which is much more efficient than 115vAC. Choose shaded campsites or otherwise minimize direct sun on the refrigerator wall.

-- Chuck

[Whitaker]

Also adding a small refrigerator fan inside the fridge will help by keeping the air moving.

[Lifestylers]

residential unit here..stays at 33 freezer showing -5 Dometics, had one...suk