Leaving the fridge door open when RV is idle

[edsnewwizhoo]

Our 12v Furrion Fridge can be turned off, but when you open the doors, the lights go on. I'd like to leave the doors cracked for when the RV is idle for long periods so odors do not develop in the fridge, but then the lights would stay on. There is no fuse in the 12v panel for the fridge. I could disconnect the batteries, but then I have no battery power for anything when I go in/out of the RV, and I lose my communication with the batteries/Cerbo GX. Is the fridge hard wired to a 12v bus bar somewhere?

 

[UFF]

Guessing I would say it goes to a circuit breaker. That’s how mine is on a 2023 310rl.
I have a norcold and it does shut all the way off, so I don’t have that issue. Could always do a shut off by the breaker if that is what you have.

 

[Socal-Paul]

The lights in ours go out after a short period of time but there is still a draw. Again in ours there is a yellow fuse holder in the battery area that I have read is for the refer. We have the regular solar panels which handle the refer when turned off with the doors open.

 

[Long Islander]

When we aren't using the trailer I turn the refrigerator off and I install the little black plug into the frig that lets the doors latch to it. The doors stay and inch or two open allowing air flow in, so the frig doesn't get moldy inside.

 

[fireman0175]

Another option for storage is to install a blade switch on the negative connection on your battery box. Unless you are plugged in, all power will be removed.

 

[M and E]

I have a question related to this. Why turn it off? Legit question, I do not have the answer. I know how to fix a fridge when I know what is wrong with it, and I know how they work (which is where my position comes from), but that is about where it ends. It seems to me that the compressor life could be reduced by turning it off between trips and restarting it. We do leave ours on when in covered storage, AC on at 79, water and pop in the fridge. I know the manual says to shut it down when stored but it also says on page 13 of the manual “Generally, it is not suggested to stop the refrigerator or turn off the power switch, otherwise, the lifetime of refrigerator may be affected.”

My thinking is that there may be a longevity benefit to leaving the refrigerator in normal service rather than repeatedly allowing it to warm to ambient and then pulling it back down. Maintaining an already-cold refrigerator subjects the system to relatively small periodic cooling loads, while restarting a warm refrigerator requires a prolonged pull-down cycle. That doesn't mean normal compressor runtime is harmful, and startup itself is also a high-stress event. So avoiding unnecessary full warm-up thorugh pull-down cycles would seem preferable to repeatedly shutting the refrigerator down.

I have zero clue if am off my rocker, spot on, or somewhere in the middle. It's been trouble free for us so far...tempting fate maybe?

 

[Lantley]

For the record I have owned 3 RV's since 2005 All with absorption model refrigerators. I have left them all on during the camping season which runs from March through November. I have not had any fridge issues.
I do not run my air conditioning during storage time. I have not had any humidity or AC issues .

 

[RockDr896]

I have a question related to this. Why turn it off? Legit question, I do not have the answer. I know how to fix a fridge when I know what is wrong with it, and I know how they work (which is where my position comes from), but that is about where it ends. It seems to me that the compressor life could be reduced by turning it off between trips and restarting it. We do leave ours on when in covered storage, AC on at 79, water and pop in the fridge. I know the manual says to shut it down when stored but it also says on page 13 of the manual “Generally, it is not suggested to stop the refrigerator or turn off the power switch, otherwise, the lifetime of refrigerator may be affected.”

My thinking is that there may be a longevity benefit to leaving the refrigerator in normal service rather than repeatedly allowing it to warm to ambient and then pulling it back down. Maintaining an already-cold refrigerator subjects the system to relatively small periodic cooling loads, while restarting a warm refrigerator requires a prolonged pull-down cycle. That doesn't mean normal compressor runtime is harmful, and startup itself is also a high-stress event. So avoiding unnecessary full warm-up thorugh pull-down cycles would seem preferable to repeatedly shutting the refrigerator down.

I have zero clue if am off my rocker, spot on, or somewhere in the middle. It's been trouble free for us so far...tempting fate maybe?

You are not alone. I haven't turned mine off since Dec 2023. I will find the limits of my fridge and report it's death, should it happen. Once I know it's true life span, I can maybe make adjustments on the next one...LOL.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Mine has been on since the day we brought it home...unless I am doing something to the RV that requires me to disconnect power.

 

[Flyer32RLS]

I assume, and we all know what that means, that you are referencing either a home fridge or gas/elec type. We have the 12V. Love it as it only takes about 1-2 hours to cool to temp. Leave it running? I would think that being on would shorten the life. Something running will always wear vs not running. Not sure how a 12V works but should I br turning mine off between camping trips? Usually go out once a month at least and can't see letting the fridge or AC units run everyday.
What say everyone?

 

[M and E]

Well at least I’m in good company!

 

[M and E]

For the record I have owned 3 RV's since 2005 All with absorption model refrigerators. I have left them all on during the camping season which runs from March through November. I have not had any fridge issues.
I do not run my air conditioning during storage time. I have not had any humidity or AC issues .

I’m not sure I could get away without running an AC. No clue.

 

[Lantley]

I’m not sure I could get away without running an AC. No clue.

Are you in Florida? Don't get me wrong the Mid Atlantic gets plenty hot and humid in the summer. But no doubt about it Florida is hotter versus where I'm at in the summer?

 

[M and E]

Are you in Florida? Don't get me wrong the Mid Atlantic gets plenty hot and humid in the summer. But no doubt about it Florida is hotter versus where I'm at in the summer?

I am. SW Florida, 9 miles from the coast.

 

[Lantley]

I am. SW Florida, 9 miles from the coast.

Generally speaking my interior temperatures with no AC running, and all slides closed when it's hot out are in the 90 to 95 range. I do try to leave the roof vents open during heat of the summer.

 

[Socal-Paul]

Just a couple of thoughts. When we had the gas refer there was no way I was leaving the flame burning for a month or two between uses. If I was fortunate enough to have a power source other than the solar I might consider leaving the refer on for an extended period of time but I don't and I'm not going to make the hour round trip to check on the battery. Just saying

 

[Lantley]

Just a couple of thoughts. When we had the gas refer there was no way I was leaving the flame burning for a month or two between uses. If I was fortunate enough to have a power source other than the solar I might consider leaving the refer on for an extended period of time but I don't and I'm not going to make the hour round trip to check on the battery. Just saying

I'm certain those of us that leave the refrigerator on 24/7 during camping season have electricity available. You are correct leaving fridge on in gas mode is not practical

 

[M and E]

Generally speaking my interior temperatures with no AC running, and all slides closed when it's hot out are in the 90 to 95 range. I do try to leave the roof vents open during heat of the summer.

That's super interesting to me. The amount of fear that others have put in me on mold growth without AC running is indescribable. Makes sense to me but you're proving it otherwise.

 

[Lantley]

That's super interesting to me. The amount of fear that others have put in me on mold growth without AC running is indescribable. Makes sense to me but you're proving it otherwise.

Will heat alone cause mold growth? I was under impression you would need a water source to create the mold not just heat. Now I have seen some pretty bad mold situations in unattended Rv's when there was a leak or moisture involved.
Consider RV's sit on dealer lots for months unsold in all kinds of hot weather without their AC'S running. They can easily sit there for months in some cases years without being sold but I don't believe mold becomes an issue unless there is a leak.

 

[M and E]

Will heat alone cause mold growth? I was under impression you would need a water source to create the mold not just heat. Now I have seen some pretty bad mold situations in unattended Rv's when there was a leak or moisture involved.
Consider RV's sit on dealer lots for months unsold in all kinds of hot weather without their AC'S running. They can easily sit there for months in some cases years without being sold but I don't believe mold becomes an issue unless there is a leak.

No, but spores, moisture and the absence of light will. I think that combination led to the idea that running the ACs while in storage comes from, remove the moisture. But very good point regarding the rigs on the lot. I’m not saying running the ac is the right thing or necessary. I do but only on the advice of others. Never really looked at the reason why… may be a lemming on this one!