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06-27-2016, 06:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Chelmsford, MA
Posts: 102
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Running Fridge for extended length of time.
With my old, aged camper, I would take it out for 2-3 day weekends. I would start the fridge on, say, Thursday. Use it all weekend. Unload it Sunday and shut the fridge off (even though I have shore power available in the driveway).
Now, with my new Roo, I'm getting ready for a lengthy, 9 night trip. I got the fridge going on Sunday so I could start stocking it up to be ready for departure on Friday. Part of me was feeling like maybe I shouldn't be running it for such a long spell. (because I never have)
So I got to thinking.. what do others do? When you return from a trip do you leave stuff in the fridge, and keep it running, ready for the next trip? Or do you do as I do and unload it after each trip and shut it off?
Lastly, Which is better for the fridge? Leaving it running with fewer starts and stops? Or shutting off after each trip, yielding less overall run time?
(obviously our home fridges run 24/7 for years... but I assume RV fridges are a different beast)
__________________
2013 Rockwood Roo 23SS
2021Nissan Titan SV 4x4 w/integrated Tow package
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06-27-2016, 06:54 PM
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#2
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,460
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 172av8r
With my old, aged camper, I would take it out for 2-3 day weekends. I would start the fridge on, say, Thursday. Use it all weekend. Unload it Sunday and shut the fridge off (even though I have shore power available in the driveway).
Now, with my new Roo, I'm getting ready for a lengthy, 9 night trip. I got the fridge going on Sunday so I could start stocking it up to be ready for departure on Friday. Part of me was feeling like maybe I shouldn't be running it for such a long spell. (because I never have)
So I got to thinking.. what do others do? When you return from a trip do you leave stuff in the fridge, and keep it running, ready for the next trip? Or do you do as I do and unload it after each trip and shut it off?
Lastly, Which is better for the fridge? Leaving it running with fewer starts and stops? Or shutting off after each trip, yielding less overall run time?
(obviously our home fridges run 24/7 for years... but I assume RV fridges are a different beast)
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Not much different running an rv refrig than at home its your choice. I start mine up couple of days prior to leaving and some time gone for two weeks..Get home unload turn off but not necessary but I do. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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06-27-2016, 07:01 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southey, Saskatchewan
Posts: 13
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Let it run. Some people live in their rv all summer. My parents have theirs run likely 6 months if the year.
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06-27-2016, 07:20 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: x
Posts: 12,423
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I know of no cautions about the length of time a fridge can run as long as it is kept in a fairly level position if you are stationary.
__________________
Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
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06-27-2016, 07:37 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 172av8r
With my old, aged camper, I would take it out for 2-3 day weekends. I would start the fridge on, say, Thursday. Use it all weekend. Unload it Sunday and shut the fridge off (even though I have shore power available in the driveway).
Now, with my new Roo, I'm getting ready for a lengthy, 9 night trip. I got the fridge going on Sunday so I could start stocking it up to be ready for departure on Friday. Part of me was feeling like maybe I shouldn't be running it for such a long spell. (because I never have)
So I got to thinking.. what do others do? When you return from a trip do you leave stuff in the fridge, and keep it running, ready for the next trip? Or do you do as I do and unload it after each trip and shut it off?
Lastly, Which is better for the fridge? Leaving it running with fewer starts and stops? Or shutting off after each trip, yielding less overall run time?
(obviously our home fridges run 24/7 for years... but I assume RV fridges are a different beast)
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nope you can run your rv fridge 24/7/365 mine has been going non stop for 14 months .
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06-28-2016, 06:33 AM
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#6
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Insert witty title here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 4,034
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Quote:
Originally Posted by northstar1960
nope you can run your rv fridge 24/7/365 mine has been going non stop for 14 months .
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Do you turn yours off on Feb 29? 
__________________
2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
Husky WDH with Sway Control
2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6L V8 Duramax
Forever in my memory. Forever in my heart.
Laurie J. Wood 3/22/67 - 8/23/19
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06-28-2016, 06:58 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: South East
Posts: 996
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I start mine 2 days before a trip and unload it when I return and shut it down. But my trips are few and far between because DW still works. On the other hand I have a buddy that started his when brought the trailer home and it's still running. That's where he store's his beer. Never has had a problem.
__________________
Retired Fire Dept Battalion Chief
2016 Ever-Lite 232RBS
2012 F150 FX4 W/Max tow & Ecoboost (Best tv ever)
2018 F250 Lariat (ok but I miss my F150)
Getting old ain't for wimps!!!
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06-28-2016, 07:02 AM
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#8
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Engineer of Crazy Train
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tiverton, RI
Posts: 1,585
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I start mine up for the first trip, shut it down when I winterize. I keep the fridge stocked, because with my job, we go on spur of the moment camping trips, when time off becomes available. Less to pack.
__________________
TV - 2015 Ram Truck EcoDiesel
TV - 2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel (Retired to Daily Driver)
TT - 2015 Rockwood Roo 183 (SOLD due to 2 years off work)
Locomotive Engineer
Nights Camping --- 2015 - 19 Camped | Winterized -- 2014 - 18
Come read my Camping Blogs
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06-28-2016, 08:12 AM
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#9
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Dometic recommends to NOT run fridge for extended periods without use "fyi"
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
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06-28-2016, 08:34 AM
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#10
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,142
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I suppose the key word is 'extended'
The only downside I would see to leaving it on would be ice build up (defrost) and wasting energy. (while on but not being used) All contingent on being level.
I have a 'take out' RV refrigerator that I once left on for over a year and it continued to work perfectly fine. I only turned it off to defrost as the ice had built up thick.
While I don't use it continuous any longer, I still use it for emergencies (no power) and hunting.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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06-28-2016, 08:39 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS
Dometic recommends to NOT run fridge for extended periods without use "fyi"
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
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without use . guess if it's on your using it . keeping it stocked i'm sure is what they want so it's not empty space being cooled .
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06-28-2016, 01:28 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 78
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We started ours in April and it is still running and will be until we shut it off in the winter.
__________________
John Spear
RMCS (SW) USN Retired
2012 Ford F-150
Rockwood 2503s
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06-28-2016, 01:50 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 12
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We run our 24/7 during camping season. Once we're home from our last trip, I empty it, turn it off, clean it down, and prop it open. When we use to leave it on year round, we left meat it the freezer one winter, and for some reason, I don't remember, it got turned off. Not good!
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06-28-2016, 01:52 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Our last one ran for 10 years only being shut off when it was being defrosted. The new one has been running since we got it except once during defrosting.
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin! 
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06-28-2016, 01:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bronston, KY
Posts: 734
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We run ours constantly for 4 to5 months each winter with no issues except frost build up. I'm sure Dometic is referring to running with no load. Keeping all that empty space cold is difficult.
Bill
__________________
Life is a journey, not a destination.
2005 Georgetown 359ts
Bill & Virginia, Kentucky
Nights camped in 2011...78 , 2012...73,
Nights camped in 2013...123, 2014 ...101
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06-28-2016, 01:57 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Foresthill, CA
Posts: 329
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The longer mine runs, the harder it is to catch up to....
__________________
Pod2Vibe
Magnetic 2019 Isata 5 30FW 4X4 (arrived 2/15/19)
TOAD: 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth
2015 Solera MBS 24R - Hellwig/Sumo Equipped, Sold
(Sold the Vibe TT, as well)
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06-28-2016, 02:00 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Marion, LA
Posts: 220
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Bought my first RV with a frig in the 70s, first year Itasca made a coach. Have had RV's continuously ever since. I've never turned a RV fridge off after driving, or pulling, out of the dealer's lot. Wife uses it for an extra frig when need arises. Also, I keep cold beer out there, just in case. Would add that we're generally camping every couple of weeks, and sometimes out for weeks on end.
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06-28-2016, 02:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,559
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We used to only run ours for a few days before/after a trip and unload it, turn it off between trips.
Now that we are retired we never unload it, never turn it off. Our 'between trip' times are much smaller now *subtle brag*
Just depends on your circumstances!
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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06-28-2016, 04:37 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sierra Nevada foothills
Posts: 236
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This is apples and oranges but I pulled a Norcold out of a very old abandoned camper in 2000 and it ran on 120 VAC in my garage until about 6 months ago when it failed catastrophically. If Dometic says no extended running, perhaps they are letting us know that their units are not built as tough?
What fails to release the coolant? Is it usually a failed weld or does a tube just burst?
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06-28-2016, 04:54 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Athens
Posts: 685
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We dewinterize the motorhome when Canadian spring hits and stock the fridge. After each trip we plug it in and restock anything used ready to go again. We've done it this way in 5 different units over 35 years without problems.
__________________
Phil, Heather & Olaf the Boxer
Ontario Canada
Lexington 283GTS
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