Absorption Fridge Question

ROAD RUNNER · Veteran Member

Absorption Fridge Question

hako · Guru

If the van was sitting in the full sun the fridge was probably at +40C so I reckon that taking a day to get down to "cold" temperatures is pretty much normal for an absorption fridge. If you are smart you turn the fridge on the night before you leave.
Good Luck.

Karlene · Member

I've not been rigorous in measuring times or temperatures but my impression is that our absorption fridge in a 2007 Jayco Sterling 23ft caravan cools well within 12 hours. The fins inside the fridge feel cold only after an hour after switching it on for the first time after not been used for many weeks.

KFT · Guru

making sure the fridge is level will also help a great deal with the cooling effect.

absorption fridges are not known for a quick recovery from an internal temp increase particularly when the cabinet is empty. Some blocks of ice will help it cool quicker.

frank

ROAD RUNNER · Veteran Member

Thanks a lot friends, your reply's all make good sense and will go a long way in easing my mates anxiety,

safe travels,

Eddy

GaryKelly · Guru

I'm with Frank. I started my absorption fridge after several months of non-use by adding frozen bricks before using the gas. It took a few hours to get down to 3/4 degrees but worked brilliantly. If you don't have access to a second fridge to freeze a couple of bricks, then ice would do.

adrian foley · Member

Bit of info for everyone,with absorbsion fridges it is a good idea to turn the fridge over and give a bit of a shake and leave overnight when it has not been operated for a while.This practice was the norm years ago with all absorption fridges and part of the servicing procedure.After a while when it is upside down you will hear the refridgerante trickling.Leave turned off during this procedure.Many complaints of fridges not cooling that I have received over the years have been resolved by simply doing this.Probably not taught to the younger gasfitters these days but was to this old time Gasfitter.

ROAD RUNNER · Veteran Member

I remember years ago spending Xmas day removing the fridge from my 1981 Viscount Grand Tourer (which I still lovingly use today) and turning the fridge over unfortunately didn't help. The repair guy said mine probably developed a leak as the tubes were mild steel and prone to corrosion. He did say it was good practice to run the fridge at least once a month to circulate the gas which sounds plausible. I couldn't afford to buy a new one so went for a reasonable sized 240v bar fridge which hasn't missed a beat, is very quiet and works in extreme heat. The good part was spending around $150 vs over $1,000. We also carry a 40lt Engel and 25lt Waco on 12v so don't really miss or need the absorption fridge. I think there is a lot going for a domestic 240v fridge

Eddy

Peterpan · Guru

Yes I tried turning the fridge upside down, unfortunately damaged the roof of the van.

Ooops sorry, have to go back on my meds.

oldtrack123 · Guru

Peterpan wrote:
Yes I tried turning the fridge upside down, unfortunately damaged the roof of the van.
Ooops sorry, have to go back on my meds.

You only needed to turn the FRIDGE upside . smile biggrin

PeterQ

johnno02 · Veteran Member

GaryKelly wrote:
I'm with Frank. I started my absorption fridge after several months of non-use by adding frozen bricks before using the gas. It took a few hours to get down to 3/4 degrees but worked brilliantly. If you don't have access to a second fridge to freeze a couple of bricks, then ice would do.

That's exactly what I do too,it is amazing how fast you can get an absorption fridge cold

by putting in a good amount of Techni Ice,or similar,about an hour after

turning it on.

snapper49 · Senior Member

Your 24 hours is about right I always turn mine on a day or so before I want to use it

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I use water bottles as cold sink . Helps maintain cooler temps when rather m/t..
Thinking of fitting a Perspex shield on lower section so when door is opened we don't loose the
Cold air as much.. One good part about the a esky / chilli bin type ...

GaryKelly · Guru

I asked a mate of mine in Texas about regularly firing up my 2-way absorption camper fridge (an old Electrolux). He used to work on them before moving over to IT. For what it's worth, here's a paste of his answer:

Nope, no need to fire the fridge up once a month. Your cooling coil is a permanent sealed ammonia charge, maintenance free, non-serviceable. Either a rust thru pin hole leaks the ammonia charge or running the fridge off level causes the chemicals to crystallize like a clogged artery, either of which would be time for a new fridge. The only reason you might want to fire the fridge up once a month on gas would be to check that the burner is clean and no spiders have crawled up into the orifice.

oldtrack123 · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
I asked a mate of mine in Texas about regularly firing up my 2-way absorption camper fridge (an old Electrolux). He used to work on them before moving over to IT. For what it's worth, here's a paste of his answer:

Nope, no need to fire the fridge up once a month. Your cooling coil is a permanent sealed ammonia charge, maintenance free, non-serviceable. Either a rust thru pin hole leaks the ammonia charge or running the fridge off level causes the chemicals to crystallize like a clogged artery, either of which would be time for a new fridge. The only reason you might want to fire the fridge up once a month on gas would be to check that the burner is clean and no spiders have crawled up into the orifice.

Hi Gary

He was totally correct biggrin

The one about running applies more to OLD style compressor fridges which had shaft seals that required regular lubrication to keep them pliable

Most modern compressor fridges are now sealed units with no such seals, but it is still a good idea to run them occassionalyl to circulate the oil

Remember, it is important with absorption fridges to ensure they are level when operating

Being out of level can lead to permanent damage.

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 5th of December 2014 01:06:07 PM