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06-28-2017, 12:32 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19'
Posts: 101
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Refrigerator got too warm during day and too cold later
We usually camp in mostly cool, wet, shady conditions in our "new" 2012 19'.
Last week we took a trip to central Oregon and parked in the sun with daytime temps in the 80's. We dry camp and use propane for the reefer and always level the the trailer. I noticed during the day the Dometic #RM2510 refrigerator temp was approaching 50 degrees and I would turn the knob to max to try and reduce the temp. This resulted in near freezing temps during the night so I began the practice of reducing the setting at night to 3-4. Even at the max setting, it appeared to have difficulty in cooling to the 35-40 range I would prefer. The upper shelf continued to keep items frozen. And it always fires right up and operates fine while being towed. I read in the owners manual that a packed refrigerator can adversely affect cooling which we were guilty of, but that wouldn't explain the near freezing temps at night. I've owned other RV's and this was never an issue.
Is this a typical operation? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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06-28-2017, 12:51 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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Welcome to the world of crappy absorption refrigerators. What you experienced is normal. The refrigerator is doing exactly what you're telling it to do. Unfortunately ambient temperature plays the biggest role. You'll learn to turn it down at night and up during the day. And yes, don't pack it full. Food in the refrigerator needs air space around it. But, if you pack the freezer, it's actually more efficient. Water bottles work fine, if you don't have food for the freezer. And carry a cooler if it gets real hot, you may need it.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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06-28-2017, 01:17 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I have the same fridge and same issues. I monitor the temps with an indoor/outdoor thermometer and adjust as necessary.
We keep food, like cheese, sandwich meats and butter in a container so that it can be grabbed quickly and the door closed. I load the bottom shelf with beer before bed so that it can chill overnight.
We freeze chicken halves, steaks and such at home and load up the freezer compartment. They are thawed in the fridge compartment during the day to help moderate temps.
And, where you place the thermometer makes a big difference in the reading you get. We keep ketchup, mustard, salad dressing in the door shelves since that is the warmest spot and they are not so temperature sensitive.
I also bought an Igloo cooler, but it's not so hot itself at keeping ice. It's my back-up, for chilling drinks and opening frequently, so the fridge door can stay closed.
We've gotten into the habit of pressing on the fridge door, after closing to make sure it is fully closed.
I wiped down the door seals last week.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-28-2017, 05:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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A circulation fan inside helps keep all areas evenly cooled.
FridgeCool Fan with On/Off Switch - Valterra A10-2606 - Refrigerator Accessories - Camping World
Absorption fridges basically work with a temperature differential, and as outside temperatures rise, so does the effective temperature in the fridge.
We recently bought a wireless thermostat to monitor the fridge and freezer temperatures, which has helped a lot at keeping the temps within a desired range.
__________________
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
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06-28-2017, 09:12 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Orientation
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I have the same fridge and same issues. I monitor the temps with an indoor/outdoor thermometer and adjust as necessary.
We keep food, like cheese, sandwich meats and butter in a container so that it can be grabbed quickly and the door closed. I load the bottom shelf with beer before bed so that it can chill overnight.
We freeze chicken halves, steaks and such at home and load up the freezer compartment. They are thawed in the fridge compartment during the day to help moderate temps.
And, where you place the thermometer makes a big difference in the reading you get. We keep ketchup, mustard, salad dressing in the door shelves since that is the warmest spot and they are not so temperature sensitive.
I also bought an Igloo cooler, but it's not so hot itself at keeping ice. It's my back-up, for chilling drinks and opening frequently, so the fridge door can stay closed.
We've gotten into the habit of pressing on the fridge door, after closing to make sure it is fully closed.
I wiped down the door seals last week.
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Hi Glenn,
Your refrigerator management mirrors how we operate our refrigerator too. I would only add that sometimes we pull into a Campground with very small trees or very little shade in hot, dry areas. We usually don't have reservations and often find that we have our pick of spots. When we do, we usually orient our trailer so the refrigerator is in the shade in the afternoon. It's picks us up several degrees of cushion and allows us to operate the control on about 4.
I have a good cooler, buy block ice in grocery stores, cover the cooler lid with my heavy jacket, manage my beverages for the day each morning so that I can get what I need out of the cooler quickly, and hope people stop by and have a cold one with them for me. Thanks, Jack, Bill, Adran, Eric, Todd, Jon, Jack from Sarnia, Jim Norman, and many many more. And remember this, whiskey needs no refrigeration.
Dave
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06-28-2017, 09:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
Hi Glenn,
Your refrigerator management mirrors how we operate our refrigerator too. I would only add that sometimes we pull into a Campground with very small trees or very little shade in hot, dry areas. We usually don't have reservations and often find that we have our pick of spots. When we do, we usually orient our trailer so the refrigerator is in the shade in the afternoon. It's picks us up several degrees of cushion and allows us to operate the control on about 4.
I have a good cooler, buy block ice in grocery stores, cover the cooler lid with my heavy jacket, manage my beverages for the day each morning so that I can get what I need out of the cooler quickly, and hope people stop by and have a cold one with them for me. Thanks, Jack, Bill, Adran, Eric, Todd, Jon, Jack from Sarnia, Jim Norman, and many many more. And remember this, whiskey needs no refrigeration.
Dave
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Hi: Iowa Dave... TRUE; but best kept in the freezer. Then it doesn't dilute in the ice cubes so fast!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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06-28-2017, 09:42 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Spirited discussion
Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: Iowa Dave... TRUE; but best kept in the freezer. Then it doesn't dilute in the ice cubes so fast!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Hi Alf,
Especially Schnapps, and Jagermeister when I want to feel like a kid again. Cold bourbon or a blended Canadian in a shot glass, always good. And the words of my Dad from over fifty years ago, "Don't burn my whiskey, boy." I can hear it like it was yesterday. Nothing like a glass of ice wine and a ball of good ice cream. Refrigeration, gotta have it.
Iowa Dave
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06-28-2017, 09:47 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Must have been tougher awhile back to keep your drinks cool, I remember having an ice box and ice delivery to the neighborhood...... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cutting
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-28-2017, 09:50 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
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Hi: cpaharley2008... Here's mine but it's too heavy to put in "Escape Hatch II". Former kitchen view.. new kitchen view Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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06-28-2017, 09:57 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Ice Box
Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: cpaharley2008... Here's mine but it's too heavy to put in "Escape Hatch II". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Would love to see the pic.
Dave
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06-28-2017, 10:03 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: Iowa Dave... TRUE; but best kept in the freezer. Then it doesn't dilute in the ice cubes so fast!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Good whiskey should be drank at room temperature, and never with ice cubes, otherwise it kills the yummy flavours.
__________________
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
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06-28-2017, 10:11 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Ice box
Alf,
Love the quarter sawn oak. Bet it keeps the spirits handy.
Dave
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06-28-2017, 10:39 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Parker, Colorado
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 120
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Why does turning down the fridge during the heat of the day make any difference? If the the temp is high then the fridge will run to return to/maintain the 3, 4 or 5 bar setting. It's binary like a thermostat, correct (on or off)? It doesn't work "harder" at colder settings.
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06-28-2017, 12:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mesa
Why does turning down the fridge during the heat of the day make any difference? If the the temp is high then the fridge will run to return to/maintain the 3, 4 or 5 bar setting. It's binary like a thermostat, correct (on or off)? It doesn't work "harder" at colder settings.
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we leave ours at 4. 5 didn't make any difference. I think it helps to start out cold which it does about 31 . Leave it alone and it doesn't"t rise too much in the heat of the day. It has a running start . Pat
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06-28-2017, 04:16 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mesa
Why does turning down the fridge during the heat of the day make any difference? If the the temp is high then the fridge will run to return to/maintain the 3, 4 or 5 bar setting. It's binary like a thermostat, correct (on or off)? It doesn't work "harder" at colder settings.
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Think some might be talking about turning it down at night if temperatures get into the 20s. It can only cool so much, so if it is hot in the day, it likely will never get into the 20s but can at night.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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06-28-2017, 06:46 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
Alf,
Love the quarter sawn oak. Bet it keeps the spirits handy.
Dave
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Hi: Iowa Dave... Had to move it to the other room as it clashed with the new natural walnut look. Thing weighs a tonne!!! It's double walls filled with saw dust. Just add ice and she's runin' Don't forget to add a drip pan underneath... and empty it too! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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06-28-2017, 06:57 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
Would love to see the pic.
Dave
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Hi: Iowa Dave... Here's some of the contents. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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06-28-2017, 07:57 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: cpaharley2008... Here's mine but it's too heavy to put in "Escape Hatch II". Former kitchen view.. new kitchen view Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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He Alf,
Great minds, but not my idea. Belonged to friend who moved to Nova Scotia and didn't want to take it with her. Her dad lined the whole thing with mirror. Top holds glassware and is also mirrored.
I only drink beer, which is why the thing is full of liquor for guests ( who don't seem to drink it either ).
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-28-2017, 09:15 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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I can take care of that Bombay Sapphire for you Glenn, as long as you have some tonic and lime....
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-28-2017, 10:57 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19'
Posts: 101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Welcome to the world of crappy absorption refrigerators. What you experienced is normal. The refrigerator is doing exactly what you're telling it to do. Unfortunately ambient temperature plays the biggest role. You'll learn to turn it down at night and up during the day. And yes, don't pack it full. Food in the refrigerator needs air space around it. But, if you pack the freezer, it's actually more efficient. Water bottles work fine, if you don't have food for the freezer. And carry a cooler if it gets real hot, you may need it.
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Thanks Donna. Are these absorption type refrigerators unique to Escapes or are they used in all campers?
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