R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Refrigerator Temp
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedRefrigerator Temp

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Elkhart View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 Aug 2012
Location: Elkhart Lake Wi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Refrigerator Temp
    Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 9:44am
The other day when it was in the 90+ deg. range outside the Refrigerator Temp. could only get down to 48 50 deg., but over night the temp when the outside temp fell it went back to 34 deg. I read in one of the treads on this form that a absorption type frig can only go 40deg below ambient(outside temp). if this is true it would explain the temp swing.
Keith & Kelly
2012 171 Pod
2013 Ford F150 TV
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 10:02am
Were you plugged in or running on battery or using propane?
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
Elkhart View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 Aug 2012
Location: Elkhart Lake Wi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 10:09am
plugged in, then propane same result
Keith & Kelly
2012 171 Pod
2013 Ford F150 TV
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 10:13am
I have had that happen when using battery while travelling down south. But never while plugged into power.  I  know it takes a while for the fridge to cool down when first plugged in.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 11:18am
What you're seeing is normal per my experience. Overall about 40F delta from outside ambient. There is a lag as it warms up outside and a longer lag as the fridge tries to cool down after a hot afternoon. Propane or shore power about the same, 12V battery not so good. Opening the door is really bad. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Outbound View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 767
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 1:01pm
I believe that the 40F differential applies to thermo-electric coolers, not gas absorption.

In five years of owning my r-pod, I've never had an issue.  In fact, I haven't touched the thermostat in years - its set to 2 degrees Celsius and reliably stays there (I have a food service thermostat in the fridge) on A/C, D/C or propane.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 1:34pm
My post was not based on theoretical thermoelectric or absorption technology. It was based on my observation of the Dometic 8501 in my RP172. It reflects not only the technology, but the particular application including unit capacity and box insulation. I wish I could have maintained 40F (4C) with ambient at 95F, but I couldn't. In testing I did use a wireless thermometer to avoid unnecessary door opening, but the fridge was in use. The larger Dometic in my Camplite works better but I attribute that to better design and construction. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Budward View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Location: SC/NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 438
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 2:17pm
My 8501 so far is doing well, no problem maintaining in the 30's in 95+ heat.  This is on propane, or AC,  never tried it on 12V.
I did add a thermostat and 2 12V muffin fans to move air through the compartment, I've done that on many RVs in the past with good results.  These were added to the rpod within days of bringing it homeSmile
2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!
Back to Top
fwunder View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 3:31pm
The thermostat and fans sound like a good idea. Can you show some pictures or explain a bit more. I'm not sure why you would need another thermostat?

I haven't had any probs with the fridge, other than a quick defrost after a couple of weeks on the road. I'm guessing moving air through the box would help. Pictures would be great.

thanks,

fred


2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2014 at 8:21pm
The specs I found said it will maintain at least 44 degrees up to 90 degrees ambient, but I've seen better than that with mine.

That said, I've posted here how in the last year I've had issues with the gas mode on our fridge.  The latest diagnosis is it may be the gas valve which will be very expensive to replace.  I'll be messing around with it for a while before I go that route.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz