Guide to Rv Refrigerator Maintenance and Care
An RV refrigerator is a great convenience for campers who enjoy the comforts of home in their motor home or trailer. It's important to remember that an RV refrigerator doesn't work in the same way that a household refrigerator works. There are a number of things that you can do to maximize its performance and efficiency.
The cooling system in your RV manages heat transfer by the use of chemicals and a heat source generated by electricity or LP gas. It works on principles governed by gravity, so making sure your unit is level while stationary is essential. Running the unit over an extended time period while it is not level can permanently damage the mechanism. Running the unit while you are traveling down the road does not present a problem because the fluids inside the unit are continually moving due to the momentum and vibration of travel.
When you are getting ready for a trip, turn the unit on at least several hours before you plan to leave, perhaps even overnight. It takes time for the cooling process to happen. Put food in the refrigerator in the condition you want to keep it - frozen foods already frozen and cold foods cold. This will prevent the unit having to work extra hard to remove heat from a large volume of foods. Leave enough space between items to allow good air circulation all around. The addition of a battery operated fan inside the refrigerator can improve the efficiency of the cooling process.
If you are traveling in hot weather, anything you can do to help the refrigerator stay cold is good. Try parking the RV so the side with the refrigerator is shaded. Minimize the number of times the door is opened and closed by storing drinks, snacks, or other frequently desired items in a separate ice chest. When you open the door, don't leave it hanging open. The use of a small thermometer set in a cup of water is advisable to monitor the unit and assure that the food temperature stays near 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep the unit clean, paying particular attention to the gasket around the door. The gasket should provide slight resistance when opening the door. Removing any spills and mold or mildew growth around the gasket will help it to seal efficiently and minimize the loss of cold air.
Go to the side of the RV behind the refrigerator and remove the vent panel. Look up behind the refrigerator to the roof vent and assure that there is clear ventilation space for heated air to vent to the outside. Sometimes leaves or nests can obstruct the free flow of air and prevent good ventilation.
If you are running your refrigerator only on electricity, there is very little maintenance to be done, but if you are using LP gas, you will need to inspect and clean the burner area at intervals or have it serviced by a commercial RV center.
Find the burner assembly by looking to see where the gas line ends at the back of the refrigerator below the flue, a mini chimney. There may be a small observation window you can flip open to observe the burner flame while the refrigerator is operating in gas mode. The flame should be bright blue and strong. A yellow or weak-looking flame means the orifice needs to be cleaned or the gas pressure is incorrect.
The orifice is the opening that directs fuel into the burner. It will be on the gas line just as it goes into the burner. If you feel comfortable removing it, it can be cleaned with alcohol. Otherwise, have it cleaned when you take the RV in for servicing.
Gas pressure is controlled by a regulator at the tank. It is preset at the correct pressure when new, but should be serviced after a few years to verify the pressure level.
Despite the fact that LP is a relatively clean-burning fuel, there will still be some soot buildup in the flue. Condensation in the flue can cause rust. The vibration of the unit during travel can loosen the soot and rust and cause the residue to fall down on the burner, which can limit the function of the burner. If you operate the unit frequently on gas it's a good idea to clean the flue and burner at least yearly.
You can clean the flue and burner area by removing the cover around the burner. It is usually held in place by a couple of screws. Remove the screws and slide the cover to the side. The burner area and flue can be cleaned with a can of compressed air. Be careful not to apply too much pressure so as not to dislodge the baffle in the flue. If you are not comfortable doing this maintenance yourself, you can have it done at a service center.
Maintain and care for your RV refrigerator regularly and it should give you years of reliable service. If you have any questions about servicing or maintenance functions, talk to your local RV service center.
