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Topic ClosedRefrigerator at Sub-Freezing Temps

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this_is_nascar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Refrigerator at Sub-Freezing Temps
    Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 3:15pm
When it's 30, 20, 10 degress outside, will the refrigerator still work properly on either electric or propane or is there some temp limit that stops it from working?
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 6:38pm
If it's that cold out, we just use a cooler set outside. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 8:55pm

I just went to Dometic's website and found a similar model's operating manual.  I don't see any mention of a minimum or maximum operating temperature.

http://www.dometic.com/4e0e2322-4af5-4b4c-b50f-daa71478e943.fodoc

I also looked at Wikipedia's article on the ammonia absorption process and didn't see any mention of operating temperature.  However, it did mention that the boiling point of the refrigerant is around 0 F (-18 C).  It is a mixture of ammonia, water and hydrogen in a pressurized system.  I would imagine that the process will work as long as the refrigerant is above its freezing point.  The article didn't mention what that is, but ammonia by itself freezes at -77 C and boils at -33 C.  So I'm sure the freezing point of the mixture has a similarly low temperature.  Let's say it is -50 C, or -58 F.  There are few places in North America that get that cold and so the process should work anywhere you go, any season.  Hopefully a chemist can chime in here to confirm or blow this completely out of the water!

One other thing to consider is the heat sources (flame or electric resistance elements) don't output that much heat.  On the fridge I mentioned above I think the AC heater is rated for 175 watts.  Eventually the atmospheric temperature will be cold enough to rob the system of enough heat to operate the absorption process unless more insulation is added.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 11:39am
Thanks for the responses.
"Ray & Connie"

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 12:31pm
Found this info on cold weather RVing, lots of info on the reefer here. 


No experience myself in this area, but one thing they do talk about is blocking off the outside vents. If you're running on propane this seems like a really bad idea to me ...
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 4:44pm
Originally posted by HuronSailor

Found this info on cold weather RVing, lots of info on the reefer here. 


No experience myself in this area, but one thing they do talk about is blocking off the outside vents. If you're running on propane this seems like a really bad idea to me ...
 
I agree but...........it would be a great way to test the CO detector (assuming one survived to see the results)!  LOL Cry
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