Leaving Fridge on.......

[HappyCampers]

I have a simple question. So far this season we have not turned off the fridge. We found it much easier to leave it fully stocked, and tend to forget less this way. When we get home I plug in the coach at the house and it runs on the element till we leave for the next trip. Is this a practice that others here use? Is this going to alter the longevity of my fridge? Just curious. Thanks.

[sunnyseagull]

Hi Happycamper I ve been told that it is better to leave the fridge on instead of starting and stopping it all the time its suposed to be easier on the fridge all thought most people including my self dont or are unable to do this so I would say that your fridge will be safe Dan

[DF5.4]

We leave the fridge on from the time we start it before the first outing until we close it up for the winter. I put a 30A plug on the side of the garage so it gets plugged in whenever it's parked there. When we got the Sunline we were told it's better for the fridge to stay on than the cool/heat cycles.

[Honda03842]

We leave ours on unless we're not going to be using the rig for three months or more. Even when they're parked in the yard they're likely to be used when guests visit.

Norm Milliard

[HappyCampers]

Thanks folks, that is just the real life data I was looking for. Now I don't have to worry about leaving the fridge on anymore.

[Honda03842]

We do leave our refigerator on when traveling however we always shut it off when filling our gas tank. The refrigerator creates a spark to ignite the gas that could ignoite gasoline vapors.

Norm Milliard

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by Honda03842

We do leave our refigerator on when traveling however we always shut it off when filling our gas tank. The refrigerator creates a spark to ignite the gas that could ignoite gasoline vapors.

Norm Milliard

Everyone should know this. It is illegal in most (if not all) states to have an open flame near a fuel pump such as when filling your tank with the fridge on in the camper. It shouldn't have to be a law being that it's not a smart thing to do but it's kind of like making it illegal to text while driving, perhaps it's being not too bright that should be illegal. If I know I'm going to stop for gas, I shut the unit off before I leave the house. It will stay cold for many hours. I'll re-start if after I fuel up or when I reach the campsite.

I've never given any thought to leaving it on while plugged in and parked at home. Something to think about.

[Honda03842]

An open flame is not the only potential problem.

If one shuts off the gas supply elimiating the open flame but still has the refrigerator On, I believe the ignitor could still fire, creating a spark, while attempting to light the refigerator. This also applies to the furnace.

Of course the chances are always small but...

Norm Millaird

[DF5.4]

The other thing to think about is when traveling the whole thing is bouncing down the road. If there is a weak spot in a propane line it's more likely to break when moving. There is less of a chance of a line breaking when it's sitting still. With no one in the trailer no one will smell it. If that happens and the fridge is on you now have the chance of fumes building in the trailer and an ignition source. Not a pretty ending. If the line breaks during travel and the gas is off you'll smell it when you turn it on.

This was told to me not long after I got the Sunline buy someone with many more years of camping than I had.

[Hematite]

I don't run anything on the Sunline unless I'm actually in immediate attendance camping and set up on a site. I never run anything while I'm traveling. Not going to change from that policy.