
Keeping your camper refrigerator cool during hot summer days can be challenging. Camper refrigerators, which are usually absorption refrigerators, work differently from residential-style fridges and require more care and attention. Here are some tips to keep your camper refrigerator cold:
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Level of the camper | Level the camper to ensure the refrigerant fluid moves correctly through the pipes |
Refrigerator side | Keep the refrigerator side in a shaded area |
Airflow | Ensure clear airflow from the unit to the outside |
Start the refrigerator | Start the refrigerator 24 hours before departing |
Door openings | Keep door openings to a minimum |
Stocking | Avoid stocking hot food or beverages |
Ice | Buy ice if needed |
Temperature check | Check the refrigerator's temperature with a thermometer |
Leftovers | Store leftovers only after they have cooled to room temperature |
Defrosting | Regularly defrost the refrigerator |
Door seal | Check the door seal for a tight, even fit |
What You'll Learn
- Level your camper to ensure the refrigerant fluid moves through the pipes correctly
- Keep the camper's fridge side in a shaded area
- Turn the fridge on 24 hours before departure so it's cool when you stock it
- Don't leave the fridge door open for too long
- Keep the door seal tight and clean or replace the gasket if necessary
Level your camper to ensure the refrigerant fluid moves through the pipes correctly
To ensure your camper refrigerator is working optimally, it's important to level your camper. This is because RV refrigerators have an absorption factor that cannot run uphill, and they can stall out when sitting at an angle, especially older models. By levelling your camper, you ensure that the refrigerant fluid can move through the pipes correctly, effectively extracting heat from the absorption fridge.
To level your camper, start by parking as close to level as possible. It's recommended to park with the front end of the camper facing downward, as the rear wheels are typically the ones that lock when you're parked. By having the front end lower, you can then use blocks or jack pads to lift the front end. This will also prevent your jacks from sinking into the ground and causing damage to the parking pad.
When levelling, always use a bubble level to check the balance of your camper. Place it on a countertop, floor, or table, preferably close to the centre for a more accurate measurement. Measure both the left-to-right and front-to-back levels simultaneously. If you're only off-balance on the front-to-back measurement, raise both ends on the front or back (preferably the former). If you're only off on the left-to-right balance, raise both wheels on the side that is lower. If you're off on both measurements, you may be able to adjust the wheel that is low on both by using blocks or jack pads to lift it.
By taking these steps to level your camper, you can ensure that your refrigerator's refrigerant fluid is moving through the pipes correctly, helping to keep your food cold and avoiding the risk of spoilage or costly repairs.
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Keep the camper's fridge side in a shaded area
Keeping the fridge side of your camper in a shaded area is one of the best ways to keep your camper refrigerator cold. When the sun shines on the fridge side of your camper, the refrigerator has to work much harder to maintain its temperature. By parking your camper so that the fridge side is in the shade, you can help to reduce the amount of heat that the refrigerator has to deal with.
There are a few things you can do to ensure that the fridge side of your camper is in a shaded area. Firstly, try to park your camper so that the fridge vent is facing away from the sun. If possible, position the vent to face north, as this will minimise the amount of sun that hits it during the day. You can also install an awning on the fridge side of your camper to provide additional shade. This will help to keep the sun off the refrigerator and improve its efficiency.
If you're going to be staying in one place for a while, you might also consider installing a small shade sail to block any direct sunlight from falling on the fridge. Just make sure that the shade sail doesn't obstruct the airflow to the fridge vents, as this could actually make the problem worse.
By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your camper refrigerator running efficiently and maintain a cold temperature, even in hot weather.
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Turn the fridge on 24 hours before departure so it's cool when you stock it
When preparing for a trip in your camper, it's important to ensure that your food and drinks will stay cold and fresh throughout your journey. To do this, it's a good idea to turn on your refrigerator at least 24 hours before you plan to depart. This will allow it to reach its optimal temperature and ensure your food stays cold.
- Timing is key: Set a reminder to turn on your refrigerator a full day before you need to use it. This will give it enough time to cool down properly.
- Stock it up: Once the refrigerator has been running for 24 hours, you can start filling it with your food and drinks. A full refrigerator maintains cold temperatures better than an empty one.
- Keep it organised: Arrange your items in a way that makes sense to you. This will help you find what you need quickly, reducing the amount of time the door is left open.
- Be efficient: Try to minimise the number of times you open the refrigerator door. When you do open it, work quickly and know exactly what you need before opening it.
- Keep it level: Ensure your camper is levelled correctly. This is crucial for the proper functioning of absorption refrigerators, which are commonly found in campers and RVs.
- Shade is your friend: Park your camper in a shaded area, or create shade using an awning. This will reduce the amount of heat the refrigerator has to release, improving its efficiency.
- Plan your route: If possible, avoid parking in direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. This will help keep the refrigerator from working overtime to stay cool.
- Be mindful of the weather: Humid weather and hot temperatures can affect the performance of your refrigerator. If possible, choose a camping location with a cooler climate.
- Maintain your refrigerator: Regularly defrost your refrigerator and check the door seals for any damage or wear. This will ensure your refrigerator is working at its best.
By following these instructions, you can help ensure that your camper refrigerator stays cold during your trip. Remember to give it enough time to cool down before stocking it up, and always practise good habits when using it to maintain its optimal temperature.
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Don't leave the fridge door open for too long
Keeping the camper fridge door closed as much as possible is one of the most important things to do to maintain the correct temperature. Leaving the door open for too long can cause a multitude of issues.
Firstly, the compressor has to work harder to maintain the temperature inside the fridge, which puts extra load and pressure on it. This leads to increased wear and tear on the compressor, potentially reducing the lifespan of the refrigerator and causing breakdowns.
Secondly, the temperature fluctuations that occur when the door is left open for too long can cause the food inside to spoil more quickly. The warm air that enters the fridge when the door is open accelerates the decomposition of the stored goods, reducing their lifespan.
Thirdly, leaving the door open for long periods will increase your electricity bill, as the refrigerator will have to use more energy to maintain the temperature inside. This is also wasteful and harmful to the environment, as the excess energy consumed could have been avoided.
Finally, condensation can form on the floor and shelves of the fridge if the door is left open for a long time, creating a safety hazard as it may cause slippery surfaces.
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Keep the door seal tight and clean or replace the gasket if necessary
Keeping your camper refrigerator door closed and sealed is essential to maintaining the cold temperature inside. If the door doesn't seal properly, cold air can escape, causing the fridge to work harder to pump out more cold air, which can lead to higher power bills and food spoilage.
To prevent this, it's important to regularly check and maintain the door seal, also known as the gasket. The gasket is made of rubber and goes around the door of your refrigerator, creating a vacuum and airtight seal to keep the cold air in. Over time, the rubber can become hard and less flexible, making it more difficult to form a tight seal.
To keep your gasket in good condition, it's recommended to clean it regularly. You can use a mild soap and water solution or a mixture of 1 quart of warm water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Gently wipe down the gasket with a microfiber cloth or toothbrush dipped in the cleaning solution. Pay special attention to the inner folds of the rubber seal, as spills and grime can build up there, affecting the seal's effectiveness.
In addition to cleaning, you can also apply a thin layer of Vaseline or petroleum jelly to the gasket. This will help the rubber stay flexible and form a better suction seal with the fridge door pocket. However, be careful not to apply too much, as a thin layer is all that's needed.
If, despite your best efforts, the gasket still doesn't seal tightly, it may be time to replace it. A shrunken, twisted, torn, or broken gasket will not be able to create an airtight seal, and replacing it is a straightforward repair that most people can do themselves. You can find replacement door gaskets for various fridge makes and models at appliance parts suppliers, and they are typically not too expensive.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to make your camper refrigerator colder. Here are some general tips:
- Keep the side of your camper with the refrigerator in the shade.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator door more than necessary.
- Ensure the refrigerator is level.
- Ensure proper airflow from the unit to the outside.
- Keep the door seal tight and undamaged.
- Don't overfill the refrigerator.
- Don't put hot food or beverages in the refrigerator.
- Don't let the refrigerator produce ice on warm days.
- Absorption refrigerator: Don't use the propane setting if the camper is unlevel. Check the evaporator fins or coils frequently.
- Compressor refrigerator: Similar to a standard home refrigerator, this type runs only on electrical power.