Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

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stevek
Posts: 1184
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:33 pm

Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by stevek »

Our fridge went out in our house. Our Born Free is parked in the driveway, and the BF is NOT level. On electric only, can I use the BF fridge with out having to worry about any damage to the fridge? Thanks...
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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Dallas Baillio
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Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:52 pm

Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by Dallas Baillio »

Steve, What I have read and been told is that if the cooling tubes that zig zag are not level the refrigerant inside the tubes will solidify at one of the zigs or zags and stop the cooling process. I have also heard that level from front to back is more important than side to side relative to the angle of the tubes. Propane or electric operation make no difference as the refrigerant moves the same on either setting.

Now realize that the terms I use (cooling tubes, refrigerant etc) may not be the correct technical name for these parts but I am sure my explanation is correct. I imagine someone with the correct lingo will post and correct my terms.
Dallas Baillio
2001 26RSB
Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club Member
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shilohdad
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Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:58 am

Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by shilohdad »

Do you have, or can you buy, any leveling blocks or ramps? Dallas is right that you can’t be so out of level that the refrigerant fluids can’t flow down the tubes. A rule of thumb is that if you feel comfortable walking/living in the RV, you are probably OK. Dallas is also right in that the front to back level is the most important. We usually try to keep the height difference from front to back no more than 3 inches, though it can probably go a bit more.

Also, can you maneuver the RV so that the RV is kinda sideways in your driveway? Would that get rid of the front-to-back leveling problem?

Whatever, good luck to you.
Joe and Lucinda
Tonto, Meadow and Shadow, the papillons
Shiloh and Morpho at Rainbow Bridge
2017 Spirit
Formerly 2006 24RB
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stevek
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Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:33 pm

Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by stevek »

Thank you guys. And for ideas. Anyway the power went out here last night. When the power came back on, the household refrigerator came back on. The freezer works OK, but not the fridge. Dead. Go figure. I will call the repairman. Been really hot here. Records broken :lol:
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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tomzleapin
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Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by tomzleapin »

Quote from Norcold manual:
CAUTION: The refrigerator is made to operate within 3° off level side-to-side and 6° off level front-to-back (as looking at the front of the refrigerator). Operating it at more than these limits can cause damage to the cooling system and create a risk of personal injury or property damage. Make sure the vehicle is level before you operate the refrigerator.
Tom
2005 24' RB
Towing 2016 Mini Cooper convertible on tow dolly
New Hope, MN
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stevek
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Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:33 pm

Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by stevek »

Thanks Tom..
So....from a table I found: 3 degrees = 5.24 % slope
And if my BF is 24 feet x 12"/ft x .0524 slope = 15.1 inch??
What am I doing wrong?
I was trying to figure out how much in inches in elevation my BF could be out of level?
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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shilohdad
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Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by shilohdad »

Steve, there is an app for iPad/iPhone (probably available on Android, too) called Bubble Level that could be of help. You can first find a flat surface in your house to zero the detector, then go out to your RV and see what degrees of slope you have.
Joe and Lucinda
Tonto, Meadow and Shadow, the papillons
Shiloh and Morpho at Rainbow Bridge
2017 Spirit
Formerly 2006 24RB
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stevek
Posts: 1184
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:33 pm

Re: Will my Fridge work out of level, on electric only?

Post by stevek »

Thanks.
I have an old iPhone SE. And an app is on my phone. I did not download. Or maybe it came from various updates to my OS.
It is called "Measure", and has a "level".
Went out and measured my BF.
Front to Back: 4 degrees
Side to side: 0 degrees.
So it looks like with minimal leveling my fridge should work OK :D
Thanks Tom :D
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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