Alpenliter
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RayJayco wrote:Alpenliter wrote:I think it might depend on the brand and style of your refrigerator. I recently was going to purchase one of those units for my 2 door Dometic. Mac the Fire Guy asked me what I had for a refrigerator. Told him a 6 cubic ft 2 door Dometic. He told me to save my money, that he nor any of his firefighter friends had ever had a problem with that style.
Did you by chance ask him which brand and style of refrigerator were more susceptible to fire?
No, unfortunately I didn't. I guess I was so relieved that I didn't have to shell out the extra $$$ I forgot to ask.
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MSGTRETIREDCSP
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I worry more about those weird radio waves that come down from outer space. That's why I got a tin foil parachute for my rig.
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RayJayco
Tampa
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Alpenliter wrote:RayJayco wrote:Alpenliter wrote:I think it might depend on the brand and style of your refrigerator. I recently was going to purchase one of those units for my 2 door Dometic. Mac the Fire Guy asked me what I had for a refrigerator. Told him a 6 cubic ft 2 door Dometic. He told me to save my money, that he nor any of his firefighter friends had ever had a problem with that style.
Did you by chance ask him which brand and style of refrigerator were more susceptible to fire?
No, unfortunately I didn't. I guess I was so relieved that I didn't have to shell out the extra $$$ I forgot to ask.
I can certainly understand the relief and happiness!
Gale Hawkins wrote:RayJayco while Norcold gets named often it is more about Physics than Brand I think. A four door model that requires TWO electric elements when on 120 volts AC (uses a hotter burner when on propane) has a greater risk of fire because of the higher BTU's required vs that required by a two door model.
Note also how hotter chimney temps WILL yield warmer box temps with all else being equal. This just means the heating source for any four door RV model frig is going to be running for more hours increasing fire risks.
Thanks for the info!
Inquiring minds want to know...
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pappcam
Saskatchewan
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I'm confused. Why is my fridge going to start on fire?
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beemerphile1
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Alpenliter wrote:
Actually, the risks could be greater with the weekender. If a trailer sits for an extended time, birds, mice, etc have been known to build nests in the flue area, causing a potential for fire...
Gale Hawkins wrote:2x. on fire risks being higher for equippment in OFF mode most of the time...
I will agree that lack of maintenance increases risk but that is another and separate factor. I personally don't buy safety systems to supplant maintenance.
Twenty days/nights usage has a substantially reduced risk compared to 365 days/nights use since there cannot be a fire without a source of ignition.
How much risk is there relative to operating on electric vs. LPG? I have always considered operation on electric to be substantially safer due to the lack of an open flame. The greatest risk is when a tube ruptures and the contents come into contact with an open flame. I would think any RVer who normally operates on electric to have a much reduced risk.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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pappcam wrote:I'm confused. Why is my fridge going to start on fire?
It is like a blowout is going to do $4K of ripping damage to your RV. It does not mean it will happen BUT there is a risk things can go wrong.
In all my research I have never found a case recorded where Freon estinguisher saved an RV. The company offered free refills to get your story but do not know if they got any takers.
As others noted prevention though good upkeep is important.
I think the biggest advantage could be should you loose a family member to a frig fire it would help some to know you tried to prevent it.
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pappcam
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Gale Hawkins wrote:pappcam wrote:I'm confused. Why is my fridge going to start on fire?
It is like a blowout is going to do $4K of ripping damage to your RV. It does not mean it will happen BUT there is a risk things can go wrong.
In all my research I have never found a case recorded where Freon estinguisher saved an RV. The company offered free refills to get your story but do not know if they got any takers.
As others noted prevention though good upkeep is important.
I think the biggest advantage could be should you loose a family member to a frig fire it would help some to know you tried to prevent it.
I still don't understand why my fridge is going to start my RV on fire. Should I be up all night with a fire extinguisher at the ready just in case? Should I just tear out all my electrical and gas appliances, wiring and piping because it could start a fire? What if my TV starts on fire. It has gasoline in it. Maybe I'll gut my house as well. After all, one can't be too careful!
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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pappcam wrote:Gale Hawkins wrote:pappcam wrote:I'm confused. Why is my fridge going to start on fire?
It is like a blowout is going to do $4K of ripping damage to your RV. It does not mean it will happen BUT there is a risk things can go wrong.
In all my research I have never found a case recorded where Freon estinguisher saved an RV. The company offered free refills to get your story but do not know if they got any takers.
As others noted prevention though good upkeep is important.
I think the biggest advantage could be should you loose a family member to a frig fire it would help some to know you tried to prevent it.
I still don't understand why my fridge is going to start my RV on fire. Should I be up all night with a fire extinguisher at the ready just in case? Should I just tear out all my electrical and gas appliances, wiring and piping because it could start a fire? What if my TV starts on fire. It has gasoline in it. Maybe I'll gut my house as well. After all, one can't be too careful!
2x
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beemerphile1
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pappcam wrote:
I still don't understand why my fridge is going to start my RV on fire...
If you do some research you can see that there has been recalls on both the Norcold and Dometic refrigerators due to fires. Your refrigerator may be on the list. The cooling unit can crack and spill the ammonia/refrigerant contents and cause a fire.
Stickies on the tech forum;
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18592867.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21379724.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21386693.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/16765174.cfm
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pappcam
Saskatchewan
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Unless they used a 6 or 7 year old fridge in my 2012 trailer, I should be alright. Thanks for the links.
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