I turn the fridge on 18 hours before travelling, and keepball the food cold inside the house fridge. I transfer the food to the cold RV fridge, and, I add 4 - 6 ice packs to the fridge for the drive. Keeps everything below 40'F for up to 12 hours.
The Norcold absorption fridge we had in our motorhome would barely cool to 40 F on max cool until I (1) added a D-battery operated fan to blow on the cooling fins at the top of the fridge and (2) added a small fan system to the fridge's exterior vent to push out that hot air. Once I did that, the fridge would consistently cool down to the mid-30s F on less than the max cool setting.
Absorption fridges don't get as cold as the "new and improved" fridges. But they are the best option when I'm dry camping in the middle of nowhere, with no hookups, for a week straight. The newer fridges draw too much power, unless you want to spend thousands on batteries and solar.
The reality is that lithium batteries are quickly becoming THE standard for RV batteries whether you have a 12 volt compressor fridge or not. And right now, lithium batteries can cost less over their lifetime than lead acid batteries.
something I do when traveling is I'll take a couple of butter tubs ( when empty ) and make Ice with them and put them in our frig to help keep the food cold longer, plus I put some in the freeze and will rotate them on longer travel days. I will not drive with my propane on. Never have and never will.
Great video, Todd. I would like to add to try to keep the side of the RV that has the refrigerator in the parked shade and use a wireless thermometer inside the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
Some good tips here for sure, many which took me a couple years to figure out. Have also noticed good improvements in performance by adding some fans to the back side of the fridge to increase that airflow out the roof and well as some fans inside the fridge to create some circulation. Trying to get some shade on the outside wall behind the fridge also seems to help some. I use some wireless thermometers in my fridge and freezer which really help to understand if it's operating at a food-safe temp (which can be a challenge at times when camping in 95F+ temps). Going to go look now to see if you already have this video but would be curious to see a comparison of absorption vs 12v vs residential (although option 3 probably more of a 5th wheel option over travel trailer). Also, curious propane vs shore power for the absorption fridge and if there is any difference in performance. Thanks for the content, always informative!
Basically, as someone who loves to cook while camping, trying to determine if I need to look at moving to a 12v fridge if it would give better performance in warm temps.
Sucks to be you, know what you have in your freezer! Love 6:09 it! Hey bearded one, just replaced my rear turn signal bulb with a lower number bulb that I had. Both are single element bulbs one is a 115 & the other is a114 or ? Seems to be working fine. My Sprinter seems to like it. What do you think?-Tim
My solar charge controller works intermittently. I have power from my panel into the plug on the roof, but power is not reaching the controller. Short of tearing the RV apart looking for a possible lose connection, is there another possible issue that I can check?
The intermittent nature of the problem is odd. A loose connection is the most likely culprit. Check the connections going to the controller first, then check the connections on the solar panels. Most likely, you'll find the problem in one of those two places.
Get a new fridge. Seriously. If an absorption fridge gets blocked up (e.g., because it was operated out of level), it's permanently ruined. Another reason not to use one of these dinosaurs.
Hopefully the residential fridge fits thru the door. Otherwise, a slideout room needs to be removed to allow the fridge to be removed/repaired/replaced.
Never got to far with this video. WHAT is an ABSORPTION refirgerator??? The term is seldom used. Likely propane?? Is it my newer 12v?? Guessing it is not. Need to back up and skip the adds and explain the MAIN subject mater up front so ALL the information is not just throw away for most of us.
Not one of the 7 most common tips. If you don’t understand then look at over 300 videos we have done to look for your answer. This video still cost you NOTHING and I never get far with people who aren’t grateful for the efforts in the first place. Might want to back up and be appreciative in the first place. Hey but thanks for trying.
I love the “don’t be a quitter” statement. That busted me up.Also “keep your tube maintained”.
That is why I love 12v one. None of that stuff to Worry about
Ditto that! As long as you have enough battery and solar power, 12v is FAR superior to absorption fridges in literally every way!
I turn the fridge on 18 hours before travelling, and keepball the food cold inside the house fridge. I transfer the food to the cold RV fridge, and, I add 4 - 6 ice packs to the fridge for the drive. Keeps everything below 40'F for up to 12 hours.
The Norcold absorption fridge we had in our motorhome would barely cool to 40 F on max cool until I (1) added a D-battery operated fan to blow on the cooling fins at the top of the fridge and (2) added a small fan system to the fridge's exterior vent to push out that hot air. Once I did that, the fridge would consistently cool down to the mid-30s F on less than the max cool setting.
Him with the grapes KILLED me!!! This guy is fn AWESOME!!!! He’s gotta be a riot to hang out and drink together!! 🤣
Excellent tips Todd. Many thanks. 👍😊
We installed fans on the inside and on the outside to improve the performance.
Absorption fridges don't get as cold as the "new and improved" fridges.
But they are the best option when I'm dry camping in the middle of nowhere, with no hookups, for a week straight. The newer fridges draw too much power, unless you want to spend thousands on batteries and solar.
The reality is that lithium batteries are quickly becoming THE standard for RV batteries whether you have a 12 volt compressor fridge or not. And right now, lithium batteries can cost less over their lifetime than lead acid batteries.
Very good video!! Thanks Todd. Some of us still use absorption fridges.
something I do when traveling is I'll take a couple of butter tubs ( when empty ) and make Ice with them and put them in our frig to help keep the food cold longer, plus I put some in the freeze and will rotate them on longer travel days. I will not drive with my propane on. Never have and never will.
Never thought I’d turn to an RV tech to teach me critical grape and tube maintenance! Another fine installment.
Great video, Todd. I would like to add to try to keep the side of the RV that has the refrigerator in the parked shade and use a wireless thermometer inside the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
This was funny but very informational. Can’t wait to attend the certification course. Looking at next February!!
" Let's face it, nobody likes sweaty grapes." Love it!
Great information. Thanks
You missed keep the refrigerator vent in the shade if possible. Being out of the sun, even on a hot day, will allow an absorption unit run cooler.
Excellent video!
I learned something new! Thank You
Some good tips here for sure, many which took me a couple years to figure out.
Have also noticed good improvements in performance by adding some fans to the back side of the fridge to increase that airflow out the roof and well as some fans inside the fridge to create some circulation. Trying to get some shade on the outside wall behind the fridge also seems to help some. I use some wireless thermometers in my fridge and freezer which really help to understand if it's operating at a food-safe temp (which can be a challenge at times when camping in 95F+ temps).
Going to go look now to see if you already have this video but would be curious to see a comparison of absorption vs 12v vs residential (although option 3 probably more of a 5th wheel option over travel trailer). Also, curious propane vs shore power for the absorption fridge and if there is any difference in performance.
Thanks for the content, always informative!
Basically, as someone who loves to cook while camping, trying to determine if I need to look at moving to a 12v fridge if it would give better performance in warm temps.
Sucks to be you, know what you have in your freezer! Love 6:09 it! Hey bearded one, just replaced my rear turn signal bulb with a lower number bulb that I had. Both are single element bulbs one is a 115 & the other is a114 or ? Seems to be working fine. My Sprinter seems to like it. What do you think?-Tim
Hey Todd I got a question about a tankless hot water heater
LOL great video
👍👍👍👍👍
My solar charge controller works intermittently. I have power from my panel into the plug on the roof, but power is not reaching the controller. Short of tearing the RV apart looking for a possible lose connection, is there another possible issue that I can check?
The intermittent nature of the problem is odd. A loose connection is the most likely culprit. Check the connections going to the controller first, then check the connections on the solar panels. Most likely, you'll find the problem in one of those two places.
What can be done about a blockage in the system?
Get a new fridge. Seriously. If an absorption fridge gets blocked up (e.g., because it was operated out of level), it's permanently ruined. Another reason not to use one of these dinosaurs.
I level the rig using the fridge as the point of level. For me that means the trailer is not level.
Biggest thing you should know…get a residential refrigerator. Way better.
Hopefully the residential fridge fits thru the door. Otherwise, a slideout room needs to be removed to allow the fridge to be removed/repaired/replaced.
Never got to far with this video. WHAT is an ABSORPTION refirgerator??? The term is seldom used. Likely propane?? Is it my newer 12v?? Guessing it is not. Need to back up and skip the adds and explain the MAIN subject mater up front so ALL the information is not just throw away for most of us.
Not one of the 7 most common tips. If you don’t understand then look at over 300 videos we have done to look for your answer.
This video still cost you NOTHING and I never get far with people who aren’t grateful for the efforts in the first place. Might want to back up and be appreciative in the first place.
Hey but thanks for trying.
Google is your friend.