Frig Problem

[east lake hunter]

2007 Flagstaff 206 ST

Had pop closed up; plugged in power cord and turned on frig (120V)(it's a three way frig) last night.  Pop up sitting in my garage.  Got home from work today and raised top to start packing for the weekend when I noticed a burnt plastic smell (not bad just like plastic getting hot)  then I realized the vinyl windows that had been laying across the top of the flipped down galley were warm not melted just really warm and the top of the galley above the frig was really warm.   I checked the vent outside and it felt like heat was coming out.  

How much does a 3 way frig put out?   It seems like to me that there's a lot of heat coming from the frig.   But there again I'm no expert.

For sure headed back to the dealer, but was just wondering if any one else had this same problem.

[wavery]

2007 Flagstaff 206 ST

Had pop closed up; plugged in power cord and turned on frig (120V)(it's a three way frig) last night.  Pop up sitting in my garage.  Got home from work today and raised top to start packing for the weekend when I noticed a burnt plastic smell (not bad just like plastic getting hot)  then I realized the vinyl windows that had been laying across the top of the flipped down galley were warm not melted just really warm and the top of the galley above the frig was really warm.   I checked the vent outside and it felt like heat was coming out.  

How much does a 3 way frig put out?   It seems like to me that there's a lot of heat coming from the frig.   But there again I'm no expert.

For sure headed back to the dealer, but was just wondering if any one else had this same problem.

Was your 12v on also. On our fridge, we have to be very careful about that. You could actually have the 12v - 120v and propane all going at once.

Ours has a caution label on it.

[east lake hunter]

Dealer said it was a "no-no."   On a Flagstaff, you should never have your frig on for an extended period with it closed up.   You would think they would have told me that.   You would think there might be something in that thing they call an owner's manual or maybe even a warning sticker by the access door to the frig controls.  You know something like "hey stupid, don't turn on the frig unless you have the camper open"

Oh well thank goodness nothing got hurt.   The frig is the least of my problems now.

Forgot to undo roof latch when trying to open camper this weekend.  Realized the problem once the electric winch made "huge" pop.  Now that side of roof will not go all the way down and the latch in question is now bent.   Oh well, I have got to take it back to the dealer for a few minor adjustment problems, they can fix that while I'm there.  If we didn't learn something ever camping trip it wouldn't be camping.

[wavery]

Dealer said it was a "no-no."   On a Flagstaff, you should never have your frig on for an extended period with it closed up.   You would think they would have told me that.   You would think there might be something in that thing they call an owner's manual or maybe even a warning sticker by the access door to the frig controls.  You know something like "hey stupid, don't turn on the frig unless you have the camper open"

Oh well thank goodness nothing got hurt.   The frig is the least of my problems now.

Forgot to undo roof latch when trying to open camper this weekend.  Realized the problem once the electric winch made "huge" pop.  Now that side of roof will not go all the way down and the latch in question is now bent.   Oh well, I have got to take it back to the dealer for a few minor adjustment problems, they can fix that while I'm there.  If we didn't learn something ever camping trip it wouldn't be camping.

Not sure why he told you that. It would be interesting to find out why it is a "No-no" to run the fridge while closed.

All of the heat from the fridge is handled on the outside compartment of the fridge. I see no difference whether the top of the camper is up or down. Very little, if any heat should get inside the camper, opened or closed.

[AustinBoston]

All of the heat from the fridge is handled on the outside compartment of the fridge. I see no difference whether the top of the camper is up or down. Very little, if any heat should get inside the camper, opened or closed.

It sounds to me like the cardboard "baffles" that most manufacturers use may have shifted (or be missing) so that the waste heat can easily circulate into the space above the fridge instead of being properly vented.

In any case, I don't know anybody with a fridge-equipped pop-up who does not operate their fridge with their pop-up closed.  What is the 12 volt setting for if not for towing with the pop-up closed?

Austin

[wavery]

It sounds to me like the cardboard "baffles" that most manufacturers use may have shifted (or be missing) so that the waste heat can easily circulate into the space above the fridge instead of being properly vented.

In any case, I don't know anybody with a fridge-equipped pop-up who does not operate their fridge with their pop-up closed.  What is the 12 volt setting for if not for towing with the pop-up closed?

Austin

We always start our fridge (on 110v) 12-24 hours before filling it.

[austinado16]

Agreed. I don't see why having it closed would be an issue at all.

You might consider removing the louvered panel above the fridge's exterior access door and inspect for missing baffles (as AB suggests) and for missing insulation around the fridge body.  There's something going on that's allowing the heat from the coils not to flow out that upper set of louvers.

[beacher]

.... when I noticed a burnt plastic smell (not bad just like plastic getting hot)  then I realized the vinyl windows that had been laying across the top of the flipped down galley .....

When a Coleman/Fleetwood PopUp is closed the Bunk Ends are on top of the folded galley and any cabinets enclosing a refrigerator, or the voltage converter, and any other electrical goodies.  The tenting is above the bunks.  There is no way for the tenting/or vinyl windows to come into contact with anything underneath the bunks.

That being said, when pre-chilling the refrigerator when closed and operating on 110v, or on the road with 12v, and even at the campsite burning propane, the refrigerator should NOT get measurably get hot or warm inside the trailer, due to the refrigerator's heat venting.

I'd check the design of the exterior heat vent to your refrigerator.  If it really gets that hot when it's in operation, it's still going to get that hot when the PopUp is open, potentially causing a hazard.  If it's not properly venting heat, your refrigerator is probably not properly venting Carbon Monoxide to the exterior, (when used on propane).



.

[scoonhr]

I have a 2006 flagstaff, I leave my fridge on all year plug in so it doesn't get stinky.