Fridge Defend (defends your fridge from premature failure while increasing efficiency - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Modifications and Alterations
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-29-2018, 12:03 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Ronn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 864
Fridge Defend (defends your fridge from premature failure while increasing efficiency

This item has peaked my interest and I am looking for input from the forum.
https://www.arprv.com/index.php
Thanks, Ronn
Ronn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 12:33 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
I believe another forum member under "Wetzk"
has already installed one of those and reports his success, try researching under his name.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 12:35 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Coast, Florida
Trailer: None now
Posts: 1,266
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronn View Post
This item has peaked my interest and I am looking for input from the forum.
https://www.arprv.com/index.php
Thanks, Ronn

We installed one last year. It works, I have checked and it operated while we were stuck in traffic on a steep hill in North Carolina and has operated 3 other times so far.
I figure if it prevents the boiler from overheating and extends the fridges lifespan it's good enough for me.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tml#post204359


Another Escape owner also has one.


http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tml#post182774
wetzk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 01:28 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ronn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 864
Thanks Ken/Karen and Jim, I did a search but didn't find anything. I will check both posts out. Ronn
Ronn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 05:00 PM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SEATTLE, Washington
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21
Posts: 59
A total boiler meltdown sounds pretty scary and worth the $$s if it's really a risk. Has anyone reported this type of catastrophic failure on the forum?
cvanzan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 05:23 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I've read the Escape Forum and FGRV for the past ten years and I recall nothing about boiler failure. The web site reminds me of The National Enquirer graphically, and I have about the same confidence in the truth of their statements.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 05:58 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Ronn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 864
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I've read the Escape Forum and FGRV for the past ten years and I recall nothing about boiler failure. The web site reminds me of The National Enquirer graphically, and I have about the same confidence in the truth of their statements.
I have heard of boilers destroyed due to operation while not level (it happens, flat tire or a breakdown on a grade, parking on a grade) Probably fire isn't as common as the destroyed boilers.
Ronn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 06:27 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronn View Post
I have heard of boilers destroyed due to operation while not level (it happens, flat tire or a breakdown on a grade, parking on a grade) Probably fire isn't as common as the destroyed boilers.

I believe that might have been an issue in the past, but that fridges today are comfortable, if you are comfortable. I think that that site is trying to sell you something based on anecdotes and fear.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 07:49 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronn View Post
This item has peaked my interest and I am looking for input from the forum.
https://www.arprv.com/index.php
Thanks, Ronn
You asked. I don't believe it is a needed item at all. You can be on quite a slope with the newer RV fridges and they work just fine. If it is comfortable enough to sleep in the trailer, the fridge will be fine.

Dometic's operating tolerances are to be within 3° side to side and 6° front to back (of the fridge, not the trailer). Steeper than that they will still work but risk damage if left for a prolonged period. On a 21' trailer that is 7' 4" wide you can be out of level front to back 7 1/2" and side to side 5 1/4".
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 07:53 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Kent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA / 2018 GMC Canyon/Duramax
Posts: 561
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronn View Post
This item has peaked my interest and I am looking for input from the forum.
https://www.arprv.com/index.php
Thanks, Ronn
Ronn, I installed the ARP Fridge Defend on my Dometic DM-2663 refrigerator. Turns off Gas or Electric to refrigerator if refer boiler over heats. ARP control module will turn fan on at user defined or pre-set temperature. Installing the fan attached to lower grill is what is recommended by manufacture.

For other members not interested in installing this device the Fridge Defend Website is very informative.
Attached Thumbnails
Fridge Defend 20181020_155156.jpg   Fridge Defend 20181020_155317.jpg   Fridge Defend_20181020_155150.jpg  
Kent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 08:54 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Coast, Florida
Trailer: None now
Posts: 1,266
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
You asked. I don't believe it is a needed item at all. You can be on quick a slope with the newer RV fridges and they work just fine. If it is comfortable enough to sleep in the trailer, the fridge will be fine.

Dometic's operating tolerances are to be within 3° side to side and 6° front to back (of the fridge, not the trailer). Steeper than that they will still work but risk damage if left for a prolonged period. On a 21' trailer that is 7' 4" wide you can be out of level front to back 7 1/2" and side to side 5 1/4".

Get stuck in traffic on a steep hill. That happened to me in North Carolina and the device shut the fridge off when the boiler temperature went to high.
I've checked it and suspect the other 3 times were climbing out of Glacier National Park, one of the steepest rest stops I've ever seen and not sure what set it off one time.

I'm not worried as much about fires but you can seriously shorten the lifespan of an Absorption fridge by having it off level.
I'm happy with the device and will install one or something like it in the next trailer if I buy one.
wetzk is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.