- How an RV fridge works and how it differs from a home fridge
- How to troubleshoot a problem refrigerator
- What to look for when buying a fridge
- How to install a new fridge
- We'll also give you some tips and tricks to help make the most of it!
How An RV Fridge Works
It's helpful to know the difference between a residential fridge and an RV refrigerator. They work very differently and that will make a difference in your purchasing decisions.
Unlike your home fridge or even your RV air conditioning units, your RV fridge does NOT use a compressor to move coolant through the system. Instead, the system has many less moving parts and is a bit more robust.
However, the basic ideas of refrigerator theory are still relevant. A chemical mixture is moved past metal coils that either absorb heat or release it. This is called an absorption refrigerator.
Here’s how an absorption refrigerator works:
Goran tek-en, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Now that might look a bit complicated, but basically the process is simple. A heat source warms a combination of ammonia, hydrogen gas, and water. As the mixture warms, the heat causes some of the chemicals to evaporate. As this vapor passes into an area that is meant to be cooled, condensation forms and cools the inside of the fridge. The reverse happens outside and the heat is moved.
There are two ways that the fridge can create the heat that starts this whole process, electric heating elements or LP gas. Usually a fridge is able to automatically switch between the two modes depending on if you are plugged in, running the generator, or using propane. However, not all have this feature, so be sure to check.
Models that have this functionality are categorized into two catagories: 2-Way and 3-Way. The most common type is a 2-Way system using AC power or LP gas, while a 3-Way system adds the ability to run the fridge on 12V battery power. That way when you are underway, your food and drinks are kept nice and cool.
RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting
Here is a quick trouble shooting guide. Depending on your issue you might start with making sure your rubber door seals are good and the door is closing snugly.- Thermistor or temperature sensor issues
- Heating element problems, or
- Control board or electrical connection issues
THERMISTORS
Heating Elements
Since your RV refrigerator needs some source of heat to apply to the chemicals in the system, it's important to verify that they are functional. Usually accessed from the back of the appliance or even through an outside panel, there are the two ways we mentioned earlier: Electric and LP Gas.
First, check the condition of the exposed wiring. Look for frayed or damaged wires that might be leading to an electrical short, and check for corrosion at the connection points. Usually this is fine, but it's worth taking a close look.
Carefully feel the exposed piping on the back of your fridge, if its warm then things might be working fine in the heating parts. If not, set your fridge to AC power and see if the electrical heating element warms up. If that looks ok, check to see if there is a port to view into the LP flue system. Switch the unit to LP settings and see if you can get a flame and that the flue is unobstructed. If you feel there isn;t gas flowing, it might be a solenoid issue. These can get dirty, or they might not be getting the correct signal from the main issue of RV failure: the control board.
Control Boards
If all your other checks look ok, then we are left with the usual suspect when it comes to RV refrigerator issues: the control board. This somewhat delicate piece of electrical circuitry controls the entire system and is the "brain" of your system. This little piece of electronics controls the gas flow solenoid, the ignition, and the electrical heating elements, as well as any fans or additional features. Diagnosing one is a bit technical, so calling your Manufacturers support line might be an option. Generally the only way to fix a control board issue is to simply replace the entire board.
Buying a New Refrigerator
When looking to purchase a new refrigerator you'll need to keep a few things in mind:- The physical size of the unit and the opening in which it needs to fit
- The capacity of the interior for those items you want to keep cold
- The options and features of the unit
- And finally, the price ranges
Exterior Size
Different RVs have different sized refrigerators and if you aren't intending to build a custom cabinet to mount one in, you'll need to be aware of the existing opening and the size of your replacement unit. Each manufacturer has a reference chart to help you with selecting the right replacement unit for your old fridge.
Interior Capacity
Your fridge can only hold so much, so make your decision on the capacity based on your intended usage. Keep in mind that not all RV refrigerators that are the same physical size on the outside, have the same physical interior space!
Double check to make sure you are getting the right size for your needs.