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Old 08-14-2015, 10:53 PM   #1
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Refrigerator Slow to Cool (I think?)

We have a 2015 26 RLWS and this is our first year camping. We have noticed lately that the refrigerator is slow to get to safe cooling temperatures. We ensure that there is adequate flow through the refrigerator and, for the most part, pre-cool any items we place in the fridge.

Is this normal for this time of year? Is this a matter I need to take the unit in for service? I noticed there is a cable with what seems to be a temperature probe "dangling" in the refrigerator. Is placement of this "probe" critical? What is this cable with probe?

Any advice, suggestions, reassurance, would be appreciated.

Regards,
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Old 08-14-2015, 11:23 PM   #2
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I have the Whirpool 18 cu ft refrigerator and also had problems.

I opened the freezer and didn't hear a recirculating fan. It is located behind a cover in the middle of the freezer. When I removed the cover the fan had frozen so all i did was turn it and it has run ever since.
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Old 08-15-2015, 05:34 AM   #3
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Maybe this post will help......

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...r-15241-3.html
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Old 08-15-2015, 07:08 AM   #4
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Refrigerator Slow to Cool (I think?)

The thing that is dangling should be attached to one of the cooling fins. Mine is on the far right not sure if they are all in the same place. You can adjust the temperature by moving it up and down the fin.
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Old 08-15-2015, 07:20 AM   #5
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The fridge in your unit is very different than a home unit. It has limited cooling and recovery power as compared to a home fridge. That being said, if used properly, it will do a great job.

1. Start the fridge the day before your trip. This allows it to coll.
2. Pre cool (at home) as much of the food and drinks as possible before loading
3. If camping in very hot areas add a circulation fan in fridge .
4. If loading warm replacement drinks, add a few at a time and allow fridge to catch up.
5. minimize open time while looking for items
6. Make sure the RV/fridge is level.

RV fridges are most efficient when they are full. Check the small slider clip in the fins to insure it is on the fin and in the coldest position.

A fridge works by removing heat energy from items. An empty fridge has very little cold mass to absorb heat and the temp rises quickly. A fridge full of cold items has a larger heat adsorbing capacity and is less effected by an open door or added warm items..
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Old 08-15-2015, 07:54 AM   #6
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Ice Packs

We usually put 5 or 6 ice packs in the freezer and 2 in the fridge at start-up.
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Old 08-15-2015, 12:18 PM   #7
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I agree with the previous responses. I start my frig at least a day or two before we pull out. The RV frig takes a long time to cool down because there's no compressor. The heater element and burner make the liquid move through the system. During the day or two before we pull out I am putting things in as we think of them or buy them before hitting the road so when it's time to go it's loaded. Yes the more food and ice in the better off you are.
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Old 08-15-2015, 01:37 PM   #8
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Propane fridges take a loooong time to get cool, especially in the summer.
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Old 08-15-2015, 01:49 PM   #9
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Propane fridges take a loooong time to get cool, especially in the summer.
and the fridge takes longer than the freezer.
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Old 08-16-2015, 09:44 PM   #10
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Thank you all for your input. I repositioned the thermister in the plastic "slider" then positioned to "Colder." It barely got the refrigerator to 40degF; the freezer, however, was doing a great job of freezing things. I'm probably going to take the trailer into the dealer and have them inspect it.

Thank you all!!

Happy Camping
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Old 08-17-2015, 02:50 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by mlarryeliz View Post
Thank you all for your input. I repositioned the thermister in the plastic "slider" then positioned to "Colder." It barely got the refrigerator to 40degF; the freezer, however, was doing a great job of freezing things. I'm probably going to take the trailer into the dealer and have them inspect it.

Thank you all!!

Happy Camping
before you take it to the dealer, how long did you give the fridge to cool?
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Old 08-17-2015, 06:52 AM   #12
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If the freezer is working the fridge should too. there is only one system in the fridge, cools both the fridge and freezer. I find if the fridge is real full you do not get enough circulation to cool things in the bottom or in the door without a small fan mounted inside. With the fan my fridge is around 1 or 2C (36F).
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Old 08-17-2015, 07:11 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Happy Vibe View Post
If the freezer is working the fridge should too. there is only one system in the fridge, cools both the fridge and freezer. I find if the fridge is real full you do not get enough circulation to cool things in the bottom or in the door without a small fan mounted inside. With the fan my fridge is around 1 or 2C (36F).
There was a recent post on this subject. My fridge takes about 8 hours to cool down to 1 or 2 deg. C and remains there. My freezer will cool down to -18 C (0 F) in about an hour and half and stay there.
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Old 08-17-2015, 09:00 AM   #14
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A small battery powered fan to circulate air inside reefer does wonders... We also installed 3-120mm computer fans to force air flow over the coils. Maintains 1* freezer and 37* reefer.
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Old 08-17-2015, 09:21 AM   #15
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After placing the thermistor on the slider and sliding it up we went to bed (approx 10:30p). The next morning the fridge was at 40degF and it was lightly loaded with items for a weekend outing.

I know the refrigerator used to get much colder; I had to ensure it didn't freeze. I don't recall the outside temp at that time but since this is our first year I can assure you that it was cooler outside. Does that have a bearing on the fridge despite that the freezer is not having trouble reaching freezing temps?
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Old 09-21-2015, 07:41 AM   #16
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Question. We keep out TT in storage (no power hook ups)until we are ready to use it. We have no room or way to bring the TT home and keep it plugged in to cool the fridge. Would it hurt to let the fridge run off battery and LP over night?
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Old 09-21-2015, 07:54 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Riccochet View Post
Question. We keep out TT in storage (no power hook ups)until we are ready to use it. We have no room or way to bring the TT home and keep it plugged in to cool the fridge. Would it hurt to let the fridge run off battery and LP over night?
Allot would depend on the condition of your battery and what other 12V things are on. There will be some small draw from smoke detectors and the like but it shouldn't drain a fully charged battery. We are in the same situation as you keeping our RV at a storage facility with no electricity. We power up the fridge and turn on the propane the day before a trip. When we are ready to roll the next day is when we load the fridge with everything pre cooled or frozen and hit the road.
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Old 09-21-2015, 08:03 AM   #18
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Allot would depend on the condition of your battery and what other 12V things are on. There will be some small draw from smoke detectors and the like but it shouldn't drain a fully charged battery. We are in the same situation as you keeping our RV at a storage facility with no electricity. We power up the fridge and turn on the propane the day before a trip. When we are ready to roll the next day is when we load the fridge with everything pre cooled or frozen and hit the road.
Thanks for the info! The unit is a new 2015 27VRL. I already replaced the battery with a Sears PM1 group 31 AGM battery. Didn't want to deal with checking fluid levels and I know these batteries can push out juice for a long time. Same ones on my bass boat. I guess I'll just fire up the fridge the day before and let her get cool.

Thanks again!
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