Norcold Fridge...How Level

[JAE Darbo]

Highly recommend arprv.com for intel and their safety system. I added two fans to force air across the radiator.

Note: you will read in arprv.com that we’re not only concerned with efficiency of the system. Fires are often the result of refrigerators that operated at excessive angles; and the fire may happen well later than the actual unlevel operation. This is a big deal.

[Jefvm]

Now I could understand that while operating on propane you very well could have a problem with you refrigerator operating correctly due to the angle of the flame and even possibly a fire.
I would have a hard time seeing this issue while hooked to shore power.
Just a little CYA I'm no expert and I'm sure there are many on this site. but my understanding is the ammonia cooling system while on shore power or generator is heated by an electric element which causes the ammonia to circulate creating your cooling.

[gr8rcfan]

A key point is when they say 3* side to side, thats in reference to the refrigerator. Since the refrigerator is installed sideways in the camper, that means the camper cannot be parked on more than a 3* grade. Also, if you park more than 3* for more than 24 hrs, then put the rig on blocks to be closer to level, you need to leave it that way for many hours, maybe 24 to let the fluids settle, before you attempt to turn it on

[Mikeroe66]

Not sure the quoted "ARP Fridge Defender" would work in all cases. All the unit seems to do is monitor boiler temperatures. Which indeed would prevent failures and a fire. But not necessarily with warm inside temps. If senses hot temps alot and if all it does is turn fridge off till it cools down, what about inside fridge temp? That will be getting warmer. As I see it, this is a unit and fire protection device. NOT a food saver.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Mikeroe66

Not sure the quoted "ARP Fridge Defender" would work in all cases. All the unit seems to do is monitor boiler temperatures. Which indeed would prevent failures and a fire. But not necessarily with warm inside temps. If senses hot temps alot and if all it does is turn fridge off till it cools down, what about inside fridge temp? That will be getting warmer. As I see it, this is a unit and fire protection device. NOT a food saver.

If you're using good common sense (and leveling your rig): it just seems like a product that is looking for a need...

[JAE Darbo]

Disclaimer: I do not have stock in arprv.com. I am a 50-year experienced safety investigator and risk manager...

"If you're using good common sense (and leveling your rig): it just seems like a product [ARP Fridge Defender] that is looking for a need..."

Well, have you ever driven your rig up or down an incline in excess of 3degs? Or have you ever been unable to "level your rig" in a boon-dock site? Maybe you live in a idyllic world where you always know your deck-angle, even though a lot of folks don't have a readout, either while driving or parked.

The issue with the ammonia absorption vapor cycle refrigeration system is that if it does over heat, it can do damage to the plumbing that may result in a fire at a later date. Each time the boiler overheats, the damage accumulates and, eventually, you’ll have a dead refrigerator.

The Fridge Defend continuously monitors the boiler temperature and automatically shuts down the boiler if temperatures begin to climb out of normal range. Best of all, the Fridge Defend by ARP continues to monitor and re-starts the fridge once it cools down again, so that your food doesn't spoil. And all without any effort by you!

The ARP also has a feature that engages an external fan circuit as the temperature of the coil begins to rise, thus serving to shorten the start-up cooling cycle and keep the frig-efficiency at its best, with the least use of either battery power or gas. (if not on shore-power); see my attached picture.

"A product that is looking for a need..." would hardly have a customer rating of "Safety 98%", "Reliability 96%", "Efficiency 78%". This customer stated "I installed an ARP with fan control in my Class A MH. I just love how the Fan Control has improved the cooling in my Norcold."

https://www.arprv.com/ratings-arp-home.php

"Good common sense (and leveling your rig)..." is definitely important, but for the peace of mind I have that my rig will not go up in flames caused by an overheated frig, plus increased efficiency of the automatic fan system, it is worth every dime of its about $200 cost.

Call me any time...


John Darbo
+1.817.714.2665
WA9DXE
johndarbo@aol.com

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1557143343

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Jefvm

Now I could understand that while operating on propane you very well could have a problem with you refrigerator operating correctly due to the angle of the flame and even possibly a fire.
I would have a hard time seeing this issue while hooked to shore power.
Just a little CYA I'm no expert and I'm sure there are many on this site. but my understanding is the ammonia cooling system while on shore power or generator is heated by an electric element which causes the ammonia to circulate creating your cooling.

The damage is done while unlevel and the ammonia is unable to properly complete its cycle. This damages and weakens the piping which, when it fails at a later date, may cause the dreaded fire.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by gr8rcfan

Also, if you park more than 3* for more than 24 hrs, then put the rig on blocks to be closer to level, you need to leave it that way for many hours, maybe 24 to let the fluids settle, before you attempt to turn it on

Never seen this anywhere, Can you reference this in some Norcold or Dometic documentation? This is not like a compressor fridge which when transposted on its side needs to be upright for 24 hours to let the oil in the compressor drain to the bottom.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by JAE Darbo

Well, have you ever driven your rig up or down an incline in excess of 3degs?

Driving your RV "out of level" is not an issue since the movement of the RV prevents the static condition of the ammonia which causes the damage when the RV is parked unlevel for hours while the fridge is operated.

[Bob Denman]

Yup!
Good point.

[bigtimeflyfishing]

I'd be interested to know if others have had the same experience I have - when I park in my driveway with the front end up (don't know the exact degree but it's fairly steep) my fridge works great. But even at a fairly small angle with my nose down, my fridge stops working. In short, when in doubt I keep my nose up just a hair and never have a problem.

[JAE Darbo]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1557143343

Goat floating as per instructions. :-)

Happy RVing.

[JAE Darbo]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Driving your RV "out of level" is not an issue since the movement of the RV prevents the static condition of the ammonia which causes the damage when the RV is parked unlevel for hours while the fridge is operated.

Can't say I agree about in motion.

The critical issue is fluid temp. I can say my system will never overtemp while the ARP is on duty, regardless and the fan option improves airflow over the coils, thus improving cooling efficiency; less gas/electricity.

John Darbo

[Bob Denman]

As a guy who has spent his entire Adult life selling insurance: I can see your reasoning...

But I also think that if this were a big enough issue: the manufacturers would have been looking for ways to reduce the chances of a loss occurring.

[JAE Darbo]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

As a guy who has spent his entire Adult life selling insurance: I can see your reasoning...

But I also think that if this were a big enough issue: the manufacturers would have been looking for ways to reduce the chances of a loss occurring.

=======================

Both major mfgr put out recalls on the problem. They only shut the system down if the angle goes over a limit; they do not monitor actual system temp in the heater tube, and this is the critical issue. Also, they do not restart after a shut down, thus the frig goes off and stays off, unless you actual see that it needs a reset.

In addition, the mfgr's recall devices do nothing for efficiency, e.g. the cooling fan option's in the ARP system.

Yup; I have mine in place and on duty anytime the frig is engergized, $200 well spent.

John Darbo
WA9DXE
+1.817.714.2665
johndarbo@aol.com

[Wonderdog]

If the beer is cold enough for you, you're good.

[Bob Denman]

I'll drink to that...