Straight to the meat of this FAQ, spoilable items react the same way everywhere. If a frozen joint of lambs meat requires subzero temperatures to stay fresh and unspoilt in a stationary freezer, it’ll need the same below zero care when it’s out on the road. We smell a problem, and it’s not the meat. It’s not like an RV can load up a full-sized refrigerator, after all.
How Low Should It Go?
In the lower compartment, where produce and dairy items are stored, the temperature should be anchored around the 5ºC mark. A drop of one degree Celsius is acceptable, as is a rise that takes the refrigerator temperature up to 6ºC.
What about the Freezer?
The temperature needs to drop below 0ºC. Problematic ice swells can develop in that frosted compartment if it’s taken below 5ºC, though. Moreover, the system is wasting precious vehicle energy at that point.
Can the Refrigerator Thermostat Be Trusted?
In a word, yes, but a recognized brand is more reliable. Considering the nature of the chilled load, that reliability factor is everything. Don’t just wait to see if the ice cream is melting, mount an independent thermometer inside the food compartment.
What Three Factors Impact RV Refrigeration?
Liquid-powered, a mobile refrigerator soon goes awry when it’s not kept level. Park the RV on level ground. Next, the outside temperature can be hard on motorhome appliances. For the last of the three factors, think about how well the in-vehicle unit is ventilated.
Can The Passengers Help?
Sure, start by maximizing the airflow inside the compartments. Don’t bunch all of the food and bottles to one side of a shelf. Sticking to this approach, always make sure the door is closed and sealed after someone has accessed the refrigerator.
Are Temperature Fluctuations A Problem?
When an RV refrigerator operates properly, it’s a wonder of modern technology. However, these “wonders” can be sensitive to ambient temperature shifts. For instance, if a six-pack of warm soda is placed on a shelf that stored heat will impact the interior temperature. By using an ice chest as a precooling mechanism, this loading problem is happily resolved.
There are indeed a pair of required temperature levels that need to be enforced when an RV refrigerator is in use. The freezer compartment takes its contents below 0ºC. For the lower compartment, a 6ºC higher limit is acceptable. Remember, mobile powered coolers are sensitive beasts. Powered by gas absorption technology, by fluid ammonia, ambient temperature effects are a problem, as is the possibility of an unevenly parked vehicle.