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10-04-2015, 02:23 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Installed a New Refrigerator Gadget
I put this ARP Version 2.1 Refrigerator Control unit on a guy's fiver yesterday ... it turned out so slick an install, I think it's Montana worthy. Whether it does what is claimed for the guy ... only time will tell, but at @$135.00 I don't think anyone can go wrong as far as preventive measures go. This unit basically senses the temp in the fridge boiler and temporarily shuts off 110VAC or gas when your unit is out of level enough to trigger a significant rise from normal operating temperature. It waits till a cool down occurs, then brings back 110VAC or gas. If your fiver is consistently out of level enough to make the boiler temp too hot ... over time it will degrade the water, ammonia, and sodium chromate mix in the system and possibly restrict flow in the system. This causes reduced cooling or eventually no cooling at all.
It took about an hour and a half in install, but is not too challenging. The model I put on has an integrated cooling fan control as well that does way better than the stock "clicker" switch that controls our fans. I don't have any affiliation with the ARP company, but they currently are about the only game in town as far as what it does.
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10-04-2015, 02:29 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Very interesting. If possible keep us informed if he finds any problems from the unit.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-04-2015, 04:10 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,774
M.O.C. #12947
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When our cooling unit failed a second time in June, the first time due to a plugged system, the second time due to a leak, I purchased the same ARP device with an add-on fan. Prior to the techs installing the new cooling unit, I installed the boiler temperature sensor. After the fridge was installed back in the rig, I installed the control device and extra fan. I left the original double fans to be controlled by the Norcold system, and have the new fan controlled by the ARP device. I have to say, the fridge is working much better than it ever did, even since it was new. Occasionally, I see the green light on the door out, and the unit is shut down to cool, then, less than 30 minutes later, it is back working again. The freezer is keeping ice cream solid, and the beer and sodas are very cold, all with the temp setting at '5'. I would recommend this device without reservation. I also have no interest in this company that makes them.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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10-05-2015, 02:05 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Please educate me. Why would a unit be out of level that bad for long enough to need this?
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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10-05-2015, 03:22 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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You must not visit the same campgrounds I do ... oh wait I already knew that ... I see sooo many people that just pull in and unhook as she sits. How about the times you lite off the fridge before a trip while it sits really unleveled in your driveway? Say you stay all night in Wally World's parking lot still hooked up to the truck on the sloping end of the parking lot ... granted it's just over night, but the overheated boiler tube starts making little sodium chromate crystals inside your fridge piping which can't be undone and leads to a blockage down the road. Alternately, the over heated cooling tubes expanding and contracting when the fridge cycles weaken and eventually crack causing the mixture to leak out (yellow stains and ammonia smell)... over an extended ownership of doing this ... it doesn't happen overnight ... your unit starts not cooling as well or just fails altogether. I work on RV's on the side from time to time ... there are bunches of people that have fridge failures or poor performance and a good percentage of the time it is caused by running them off level over and over again. Damned this is beginning to sound like a commercial ... but you did ask.
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10-06-2015, 02:04 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Thanks for the education. Being a fulltimer I didn't realize so many people do those types of things. Unless we are actively moving, we are level. I guess I don't need this item. Our reefer hasn't been off in 4 years and so far hasn't missed a beat. Knock on wood!
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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10-06-2015, 03:26 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Yeah ... this won't be of need for some, but I figured it would be good reading material for others. Fulltiming and recreational RVing are sometimes two different worlds. One of my favorites is RV's nose high at campgrounds and the general answer to why is "it makes the A/C drain better" ?????????????? I'd guess they have velcro straps to hold them in bed at night. Ha!
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10-06-2015, 05:35 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,795
M.O.C. #7560
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We had one of the units on the Silent Auction table at the Fall Rally and I had the privilege of making the high bid on it and now I have to figure out how to install it properly. Any suggestions Dieselguy?
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10-06-2015, 07:54 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Eureka
Posts: 276
M.O.C. #14208
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How many people tow with the refrigerator on gas. Drive for 4-5 hours before you get it to a level camp site. My question is, Is this bad for the refrigerator ? Should we drive with the refrigerator in the off position? I always shut it off when fueling up the truck? Thanks for the information.
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10-07-2015, 02:51 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Jimmer ... many of us tow with the fridge on. It doesn't hurt the fridge as during your trek down the highway you're always turning, going up going down, changing lanes, starting, stopping. This movement keeps the fridge solution flowing as needed.
Rondo ... it's pretty straight forward. The hardest part is attaching the sensor to the boiler tube. You have to remove the door on the flue housing and part the insulation to get to the tube itself. I cut a long slit in the insulation with a sharp knife and just parted it instead of grabbing it with a pair of pliers and pulling it out ... works way better. Go to their website and watch the videos and photos of installation for your particular unit. http://www.arprv.com/
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10-07-2015, 03:07 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Livingston
Posts: 1,150
M.O.C. #12333
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Certainly would have preferred to had spent $135 for this gadget in lieu of 10 times that for the new residential but now that we have the new frig we love it.
Thsee devices should be standard install on all new rigs!
__________________
Les and Sue Young, 2009 Int 4400 LP, 2020 DRV Mobile Suites [/url] https://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/2019/11/freedom-from-grid-rambling-rv-rats.html[/url]
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10-14-2015, 10:34 AM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Quincy
Posts: 71
M.O.C. #13543
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I listened to the ARP owners sales pitch at the Good Sam Rally in Phoenix last spring - convinced me on the merits of safety and improved frig performance. He actually did an install for me out in the parking lot. I noticed an immediate improvement in ice cream - recommend the product.
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10-14-2015, 02:36 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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As stated, leveling of the frig is not an issue when moving, and according to our service dept is good for the frig,
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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10-16-2015, 12:57 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 1,239
M.O.C. #5906
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The unit that Rondo won at the Rally was discussed in the Tips & Tricks session with several favorable comments. We don't know a what point "out of level" becomes an issue, but we have been in campgrounds where soft ground has knocked us out of level over our stay. We also had an issue that Keystone corrected where our Auto Level would not hold the level position. We intend to get one of these, just in case.
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