RV Fridge- Are the manufacturers purposely keeping us in the dark?

[chillybob]

It took me a long time to get around to installing fridge protection and I don’t know why it took so long. It should be mandatory on all units with an absorption type fridge. Maybe it was being locked up and becoming a computer geek. The device is the ARP. If an RV fridge is operated while out of level it can cause corrosion inside the pipes and quickly cause a blockage and a fridge that will not work properly, or at all. The worst case scenario is a fire that will destroy the unit. I suspect replacing damaged fridges is a lucrative business for a couple of companies and the RV repair industry and it just could be the reason for the darkness. After all, hardly anyone dies in a fire and insurance usually covers fire damage. The ARP is a sleep at night fix but turning off a fridge immediately when it is not level will go a long way toward extending it’s life as well. The bottom line is that it’s up to RV owners to become educated on this subject to shine a light on the darkness they don’t tell you about.

[huntr70]

Who doesn't tell you that an RV fridge has to be level when operating?

Every one of our PDI/Demo techs tells every customer exactly that while going over their unit.

Long term out of level will hurt it, but driving down the road with it on and out of level is fine, as the ammonia still circulates.

[Scousers]

Just read the manual...

[chillybob]

Using propane while driving down the road is probably fine. There are precautions a person can take. Stopping for a break or lunch out of level probably is not. The downside of out of level is accumulative and not very likely noticeable in the short term. Replacement costs are in the thousands so a few hundred is cheap insurance. You are a little defensive about this post. If your firm is doing the right things right good for you and the company. The owner has to take full responsibility for doing right things right after the PDI and I’m willing to bet many RV sales companies do a poor job of advising new owners of the downside of ruining their fridge.

[chillybob]

Not sure how accurate this info is so I guess it’s unconfirmed.
“On average there are approximately 4000 RV fires per year. It is reported that the number two cause is RV refrigerators. The number one cause is reported to be within the engine compartment, often in the electrical system”. This quote brings into question of how many fridge fires could be prevented by owners being more informed of potential heating issues and also by using an ARP safety device. This post is intended to raise awareness of those owners with an open mind and keen interest to improve their RVing experience. If it offends some, I don’t care!

[huntindog]

It took me a long time to get around to installing fridge protection and I don’t know why it took so long. It should be mandatory on all units with an absorption type fridge. Maybe it was being locked up and becoming a computer geek. The device is the ARP. If an RV fridge is operated while out of level it can cause corrosion inside the pipes and quickly cause a blockage and a fridge that will not work properly, or at all. The worst case scenario is a fire that will destroy the unit. I suspect replacing damaged fridges is a lucrative business for a couple of companies and the RV repair industry and it just could be the reason for the darkness. After all, hardly anyone dies in a fire and insurance usually covers fire damage. The ARP is a sleep at night fix but turning off a fridge immediately when it is not level will go a long way toward extending it’s life as well. The bottom line is that it’s up to RV owners to become educated on this subject to shine a light on the darkness they don’t tell you about.

Every owners manual I have read points this out. It has also been pointed out during all of my PDIs, and it is a common discussion on the RV forums I have been involved in.

This has to be the worst kept secret ever.

[Capt Bob]

OK, I'm not going to Google an ARP so...
What exactly does this device do or protect?
Been driving around with one of these type reefers on two different RVs for years.
What bullet exactly have I been dodging?

[chillybob]

You can go to the ARP web site, read about the device and how it came about. You will be more informed for sure and it will be your choice whether to believe what you read or not to believe.

[chillybob]

You are right, operating manuals do cover the subject. How many people understand why a fridge must be level when operating is anyones guess. Those who do not pay much attention to the manual or the PDI instructor could be in for a costly replacement from the accumulative effects of parking off level, getting tied up at a construction site for extended periods and just not being aware of the cause and affects of clogged pipes. I have always shut off my fridge off after 5 minutes if the unit was not level. As well, Dometic states that over heating of their fridges could occur on long hills. This post is not for know it alls, it’s to ring a bell for those that don’t know enough!
Also, replacement of fridges is a lucrative business for the manufacturers and some RV repair shops. I suspect many replacements could be avoided if most RV’s were as informed as huntindog.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

OK, I'm not going to Google an ARP so...
What exactly does this device do or protect?

Shuts it down if it gets too hot.