ll gas/electric refrigerators now (or fixed under a recall) have safety devices to limit high temperature. To ensure any possibility of overheating is mitigated, I am a true believer in a safety device called the ARP Fridge Defend that’s been on the market for quite some time and has a strong reputation for controlling overheating. Essentially, this device monitors the boiler and absorber coil temperatures. When threshold temperatures are reached, the device shuts the refrigerator down for a period of time predetermined by internal electronics — which in turn allows for a safe cool down.
This device is especially important on the road if you’re climbing or descending mountains or when parked off-level long enough to cause damage. The company also offers optional fans that can be installed in the back of the refrigerator or inside the refrigerator box to improve airflow, something I also opted to do.
That’s important, because the Fridge Defend does not come with instructions; you’ll need to visit the website and download the installation procedure for your refrigerator model. Since you’re already there, it makes sense to watch the videos beforehand. Also, know that the temperature sensor for the boiler may be difficult to access on some models without sliding the refrigerator out a few inches to give you enough room to work. Fortunately, on the project model, a Dometic 1350, the access to the boiler tube was easy. Mounting the control box and connecting the wiring were uneventful.
The brushless ARP fans are designed to run at a higher speed quietly and last for a long time. Although it’s possible to acquire similar size fans online, it’s best to opt for the ARP versions — which are also quieter — when ordering the Fridge Defend kit. I also installed longer wires so that the vent doors could be opened and set aside without pulling on the wires or removing the fans. This can also be accomplished by connecting two-prong plugs in the wiring, which can be separated when removing the access door.
ARP offers several different kits, ranging from a basic device to those with the aforementioned interior and exterior cooling fans. I highly recommend that you install the fans, which reduced the temperature control setting on the project refrigerator from #5 to #2 — but more importantly, the refrigerator performed effectively even in ambient temperatures well above 100°. Kits start at $165 up to $285 with fan kits. Extra external fans are $38 and the interior fans are $19.
Once installed, I did notice that the Fridge Defend turned the refrigerator off in response to high boiler temperatures, even while running on AC power. Actually, this should not have happened since the electric elements maintain a constant temperature, but they do produce more heat than when running on LP-gas because the element is in a tube welded directly to the boiler and the propane runs up through the flue with a baffle that helps retain some of the heat. Nevertheless, we were happy that the Fridge Defend did its job. Historical information can be read on the control box, giving you information on how many times the refrigerator was shut down during a certain time period.
