DOMETIC FRIDGE/ FREEZER.

[Mtbcol]

Afternoon all. Sorry it's me again. I've noticed that our freezer compartment is getting warmer now the temperature in the vehicle/ outside has dropped. I'm plugged into ehu at home and the freezer compartment was at around -18 until this morning when I checked it was only -2. We had about 1°c last night outside. The vehicle was about 3°c inside when I checked this morning. Is this normal for one of these absorption units? We've come from a 240 volt compressor fridge, so not sure. A lot of differences and new things to learn compared with our self built campervan .
Thanks. Colin.

 

[AllanD]

Not 100% sure but without looking it up I think winter covers should be fitted for anything below 6 degrees or thereabouts.

 

[Mtbcol]

Not 100% sure but without looking it up I think winter covers should be fitted for anything below 6 degrees or thereabouts.

Thanks Allan. I found some long plastic things that looked like they would fit in the external fridge vents, must be those, I'll have a look tonight . I just found it odd that the temperature when up inside the freezer compartment when the temperature outside the unit went down. Must be the physics/ chemistry of these absorption units.

 

[AllanD]

Yes it does sound a bit the wrong way around. I'm no expert on fridges but remember hearing or reading about it sometime in the past and I think it's something to do with how the heat exchange works with absorption fridges, the pipework at the back of the fridge with the cooling fins on can't get too cold from the outside air so the winter covers help to prevent or reduce this problem when it's cold outside (I don't think the inside temperature of your van matters to the same extent).

Hopefully someone in the know might add more to this but for now I just rely on what I've learned over the years, when a bit nippy outside put the covers on, when not so nippy take them off .

 

[Canalsman]

The problem you describe affects all fridges that have one cooling circuit controlled by a thermostat in the body of the fridge.

If the ambient temperature drops too low, which is what you have described, the body of the fridge requires no cooling. Consequently the freezer temperature will rise rapidly.

 

[Mtbcol]

The problem you describe affects all fridges that have one cooling circuit controlled by a thermostat in the body of the fridge.

If the ambient temperature drops too low, which is what you have described, the body of the fridge requires no cooling. Consequently the freezer temperature will rise rapidly.

Thank you. Sounds about right then. I was just worried it was developing a fault. Colin.

 

[Mtbcol]

The problem you describe affects all fridges that have one cooling circuit controlled by a thermostat in the body of the fridge.

If the ambient temperature drops too low, which is what you have described, the body of the fridge requires no cooling. Consequently the freezer temperature will rise rapidly.

Covers on it is then

 

[Canalsman]

Covers on it is then

The covers will make no difference...

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Yes, fridge vent covers do a lot of good in winter for RV (recreational vehicle) and caravan absorption fridges. Manufacturers like Dometic and Thetford recommend fitting them when the outside temperature drops below 8°C (46°F).

Benefits of Using Fridge Vent Covers in Winter

• Improved Efficiency and Performance: In cold temperatures, excessive cold air flow over the fridge's heat exchanger prevents it from reaching the optimal operating temperature needed for the absorption process to work efficiently. The covers help restrict this airflow, allowing the necessary heat to build up and the fridge to cool properly, which can save power and money.
• Protection for the Unit: The covers protect the external parts of the fridge from excessively cold air, as well as from rain, moisture, and debris like leaves and dirt.
• Pest Control: When the vehicle is in storage, the open vents can be an attractive entry point for insects, bugs, and other pests. Covers help seal these entry points.
• Prevents Overcooling: Without a cover in very cold weather, the fridge might overcool and potentially turn into a freezer, which is usually not the desired outcome for the refrigerator compartment.

 

[Mtbcol]

Yes, fridge vent covers do a lot of good in winter for RV (recreational vehicle) and caravan absorption fridges. Manufacturers like Dometic and Thetford recommend fitting them when the outside temperature drops below 8°C (46°F).

Benefits of Using Fridge Vent Covers in Winter

• Improved Efficiency and Performance: In cold temperatures, excessive cold air flow over the fridge's heat exchanger prevents it from reaching the optimal operating temperature needed for the absorption process to work efficiently. The covers help restrict this airflow, allowing the necessary heat to build up and the fridge to cool properly, which can save power and money.
• Protection for the Unit: The covers protect the external parts of the fridge from excessively cold air, as well as from rain, moisture, and debris like leaves and dirt.
• Pest Control: When the vehicle is in storage, the open vents can be an attractive entry point for insects, bugs, and other pests. Covers help seal these entry points.
• Prevents Overcooling: Without a cover in very cold weather, the fridge might overcool and potentially turn into a freezer, which is usually not the desired outcome for the refrigerator compartment.

Thanks Pudsey. I found the DOMETIC handbook lady night in amongst the hundreds of documents that came with our motorhome and confirm it tells you to put the covers on below 8°C, so I will do that.

 

[Mtbcol]

Luckily we've nothing in either the freezer compartment or the fridge at the moment, it's just on in readiness, so I guess not putting the covers on until tomorrow ( when I finish work ) will be ok?