Fridges, what to do when not in use

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 17:08
ThreadID: 98194 Views:2684 Replies:10 FollowUps:5
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Hi All, I like many others, have a fridge mounted in the back of the cruiser.
What i wanted to know or get ideas from other on what is the second best way to preserve the fridge when not in use, The easiest way in my mind would be to leave the door ajar to allow to air, I cannot do this because I didn't leave enough room above the fridge when I built it's box, so I have to leave it closed, not ideal.

What can I do to over come this, thanks in advance

Shane
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 17:47

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 17:47
Shane, Isn't the lid fully removable? Mine is and I thought they all were.

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:28

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:28
Hi Shane

I put a towel across it so the lid doesn't seal down and the towel absorbs any moisture. There should be room to do that.

Motherhen
Motherhen

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Reply By: Kris and Kev - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:31

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:31
I leave the fridge in the back of the cruiser, but take the lid off and store it in the shed until we need the fridge again. Some take out the fridge, but we find it very handy to leave it in so we can use it when needed.

Kevin
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Reply By: Aussi Traveller - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:31

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:31
Take it out and turn it into a beer fridge, I do.
AnswerID: 495496

Reply By: Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:35

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 19:35
Shane
As well as the above, I give mine a run every month or so (as I do in the car) to keep the seals from drying out.
Cheers
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 22:24

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 22:24
Andrew, there are no seals in these fridges. Fully sealed units.

Now your car air conditioner...... that's different, there is a shaft seal.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Andrew & Jen - Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 16:16

Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 16:16
Thanks Allan - something learnt :-)
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 16:33

Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 16:33
Adding a bit more Andrew, virtually all fridges in the last 50 years have the motor within the sealed refrigerant chamber, and this includes Engel with its "Swing" motor, so there is no seal needed.

Where the motive force is supplied via a belt/pulley/shaft as in a car then a seal is of course required on the shaft. The issue of these seals "drying out" and leaking is a moot point and the subject of many arguments. But it won't do the compressor any harm to be run occasionally 'just in case'.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 22:32

Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 22:32
The instructions that came with my Engel recommended that it be run as a 240 volt fridge - rather than sit idle.
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Follow Up By: River Swaggie - Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 22:42

Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 22:42
I totally agree,Ive a Evakool 60l fridge and run it every 6 weeks...I also leave the lid open an inch although its removable too..
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Reply By: Member - Peter H1 (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 20:15

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 20:15
Also wipe it out with Vanilla, it will keep it smelling fresh.
PeterH
AnswerID: 495501

Reply By: Cravenhaven - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 23:09

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 23:09
I just put a small wedge under the lid to allow some air movement so that it dries out and stays that way. It doesnt need to be a very big gap 1/4" or so..
cravenhaven

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Reply By: mountainman - Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 23:58

Sunday, Sep 23, 2012 at 23:58
i clean it out after use, and keep it locked, never had an issue, or mould.
no different to an esky, done the same, no problems.



AnswerID: 495511

Reply By: pop2jocem - Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 10:44

Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 10:44
Shane, yep for what it's worth mine is a drama to remove from behind the seats of our extra cab. We just turn it off, wipe it dry and put a clean hand towel under the lid so there is a small gap (5-6mm). If anyone has a mould problem try wiping it out with a little oil of cloves. Kills mould a treat and leaves a slight odour which we don't mind but some might not.

Cheers
Pop
AnswerID: 495527

Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 15:55

Monday, Sep 24, 2012 at 15:55
Thanks for the reply's, a really simple fix after all,

Shane
AnswerID: 495545

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