Winter Storage - Refrigerator Use

[Retjake]

My Winnebago Brave is covered, and I am running my refrigerator on shore power. (Propane is shut off). The vehicle is oft times below freezing, any problem with this?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Retjake

My Winnebago Brave is covered, and I am running my refrigerator on shore power. (Propane is shut off). The vehicle is oft times below freezing, any problem with this?

Welcome to the forum!

Why are you running the fridge?

[Retjake]

I was told it was better for the unit to run it, and we use the rig when we lose power in the winter. I also provides some air circulation in the rig when it is covered. So far so good, no problems, just didn't know if running it created any hazards. Thanks for the prompt reply.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Retjake

I was told it was better for the unit to run it, and we use the rig when we lose power in the winter. I also provides some air circulation in the rig when it is covered. So far so good, no problems, just didn't know if running it created any hazards. Thanks for the prompt reply.

Even tho its on electric it still puts out heat through the roof vent.
But to be efficient it needs air circulation.
I would think if your at or near freezing temps outside you wouldn't need to run it incase of an power outage as it would almost be at temp anyway.
But if you lose power you then must switch to gas anyway?
I'm assuming you must have a gennie to keep battery charged?

[RamblerGuy]

Originally Posted by Retjake

I was told it was better for the unit to run it, and we use the rig when we lose power in the winter. I also provides some air circulation in the rig when it is covered. So far so good, no problems, just didn't know if running it created any hazards. Thanks for the prompt reply.

Maybe I missed something, but you stated that the rig is covered. Do you have an RV cover or is it covered by a roof? The refrigerator has a lower sidewall vent and either a roof or upper sidewall vent that must be unobstructed when the refrigerator is in operation. They vent the heat and combustion fumes from the propane flame and the heat from the cooling coils. If you have an RV cover, you would need to pull it off the vents to run the refrigerator on other propane or electricity.

Also, I don't understand how running the refrigerator will provide air circulation in the rig. There's no venting from the inside to the outside.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Retjake

My Winnebago Brave is covered, and I am running my refrigerator on shore power. (Propane is shut off). The vehicle is oft times below freezing, any problem with this?

You are getting great advice. Running the fridge while covered is a bad idea.
The heating element that heats the ammonia could burn out or possibly even catch fire without cooling circulation.

When below the "on" temperature, the fridge will not "warm up" the contents of the refridgerator. Anything in the lower compartment will freeze solid.