If you are like most people, your RV is usually hibernating throughout the fall and winter. As the temperatures start to rise, we look forward to getting our rig ready to go camping, but need to make sure everything is properly running before we get on the road. One of the things you need to take time to get ready is your RV refrigerator. Most RVs have an absorption refrigerator that runs on either LP or 120-volt electricity and has no moving parts. Some larger units are now using residential refrigerators powered by a compressor which only operate on 120-volt electricity. For this article we are going to cover the absorption refrigerator and what you should do to get it ready for camping season.
Clean and Inspect the Refrigerator Vent
If your refrigerator is not in a slide room, the back of the unit has an open cavity that allows hot air to flow up to the roof and a vent with a plastic over on the roof.
Remove the plastic cover and you will see a rectangular “flue” or box covered with a screen to keep rodents out, but allow hot air to escape. Make sure the screen is clear of dust and debris to the hot air can escape easily.
Related videos: Keeping Your Cool: RV Refrigerator Vent Inspection and The Various Types Of RV Roof Vents
Open the Vent Door and Clean/Inspect The Burner Assembly
When operating on the LP mode, Liquid Propane is supplied through a copper line to the burner assembly which mixes it with air and the spark ignitor lights a flame.
The burner assembly can get contaminated with dust and even obstructed from a spider webs. Propane gas attracts bugs and spiders, because they love the smell! This is a good time to use an air compressor to clean out the soot and any obstructions attaching an air blower and ¼” hose. Clean out the burner assembly as well as the flue that runs up the right side. Make sure you wear safety glass as this could get messy! It’s a good idea to also blow off all the dust on the cooling unit by just sticky the blower up the back of the cavity. Dust on the cooling units creates more heat which makes the unit less efficient.
Related video: RV Refrigerator Repair: Cleaning A Burner Assembly
Reinstall Water Filter to Ice Maker and Turn On Water (If Applicable)
If you have an ice maker, hopefully you removed the filter, shut off the water, and drained the water to the ice maker when it was winterized! If not… that’s another discussion that will take much more time and covered later. For now, replace the filter, turn on the water line, and let the water flow to the ice maker. You will probably need to “cycle” a few times through to get the air out of the lines and get a good water flow.
Check Refrigerator Door For Tight Seal
For the refrigerator to operate properly, it needs to have a good seal from the gasket all around the door. If there are any gaps or leaks, warm humid air will enter the refrigerator and cause insufficient cooling, condensation, and frost build up. Placing heavy items in the door shelves like milk, large water bottles, and other items puts weight on the door and with the extremes of traveling down the road, causes the door to sag and the gasket to not align. Open the door slightly and place a dollar bill or piece of paper between the door and the refrigerator frame, shut the door and slightly tug on the bill. If it slides out effortlessly, it is not sealing well. It should have a slight resistance for a good solid seal. Do this on all four sides of the door.
Related video: RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting: Checking Fridge Seals
Clean The Inside With Dish Soap and Water And Check The Thermistor
It’s not uncommon for mold and mildew to grow on the inside of a refrigerator during storage. This is a good time to clean everything inside with a mild cleaner such as dish soap and water. Rinse it with a mixture of baking soda and water and dry it thoroughly. The thermistor is a temperature sensor typically clipped to the coils inside the refrigerator. Moving it up or down will increase or decrease the temperature as the warm air will be higher in the refrigerator box.
As condensation forms in the refrigerator, rust can form at the thermistor. A good visual inspection is recommended to reduce condensation ensure this is not getting corroded.
Related videos: RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting: Thermistor
Getting The Refrigerator Ready To Use
Do not put warm food in a warm refrigerator when starting it up for the season as it will take a long time to cool, sometimes a couple of days! Start with an empty refrigerator and plug it into a correctly match electrical source and start the refrigerator on the Auto Mode. This is the default for 120-volt power and will start the heating element. Putting a 5lb bag of ice in the freezer will help with the cooling, however cool all food down in a residential refrigerator and then put it into your RV refrigerator when everything is cool.
Interested in more information about RV refrigerators? Check out some of our other videos and articles:
Tips For RV Refrigerator TroubleshootingCommon RV Refrigerators and Refrigerator Power Sources
Avoid RV Refrigerator Repairs By Not Placing Heavy Items In The Door
RV Refrigerator Tips: The Importance Of Leveling
RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting: Baffle Inspection
RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting: Using Diagnostic Codes
RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting: Checking The 12 Volt Battery
Diagnosing An Inefficient RV Refrigerator
Propane /elec fridge not working
Has power. No light on control panel
Our absorption fridge works better(gets colder) on LP then electricity. Any ideas why or how to get it to run coller on electric?
Hello,
Here is the expert’s response to your question:
Both the gas and electric heating element work by heating up a boiler. Electric does take a little longer to get colder as the flame gets hotter faster than the element but they should both reach the same temperature. If the fridge doesn’t get as cold, the heating element could be failing or there is a problem with low voltage going to the fridge. You could test and make sure there is at least 110v to the heating element connections when turned on, anything less and there is a voltage issue. If the voltage is fine, then the next thing to do would be to test the resistance in the element per manufacturers specs. This will tell you if it is good or not. It is possible the control board for the fridge is cutting off power too soon, reading a faulty thermistor or bad connections as well.
Sincerely, Dan RV Repair Club Technical Expert
First timer how to light the refrigerator
I have a house size refrigerator (standard in this model)
it has an ice maker , and I can find no info or direction on how to drain the water line, can you direct me to a website or video that can help me. Jayco doesnt appear to have this info.
Hello Brenda,
Great question! This section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the special offer below:
https://go.rvrepairclub.com/a19774/
Sincerely,
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I can’t get my fridge to run unless I plug it straight into a 110 outlet, It is the Dometic 3way.
Hello Clarence,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV please?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Is it safe to have an RV refrigerator running on propane while driving? I’ve seen one answer “yes” and someone else’s comment that RV fires have started from doing so.
Hello Leonard,
It is not recommended to do so from many people because of safety issues. It is actually suggested to leave the valves to the propane tanks closed during travel too. This is because if there were to be an accident or maybe road debris hit an exposed gas line under the camper or at the front gas could leak out and cause more danger if the valves were left open. Another issue with running the fridge on propane is pulling up to gas stations. You would have an open flame in the outside compartment and could be at risk with fumes at the gas station. During travel air could get in the compartment and make the flame erratic which could lead it to burn something in the fridge compartment. These also have to be level for proper use, during travel it is not always level and if you get stuck in traffic at an incline it could damage the cooling unit. A lot of people and places advertise that you can if you are cautious but when it comes to safety it is best to not run the fridge on gas at all to know for sure there won’t be an issue. These fridges are well insulated and will keep cool even after a few hours of travel so getting it cold in advance and keeping the door shut during the travel is best.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
ice maker is not working
My freezer gets cold but refrigerator does not, what could be the reason?
Replair a leaking ice maker in the freezer
Hey Echo,
We would love to answer this expert question for you but I would need the year, make, and model of your RV. Also the name of the refrigerator in your RV Once we receive the information, we can pass it along to the experts.
Sincerely,
Danesha
RV Repair Club Video Membership
hey there
Anyone know a RV parts house selling Smart RV interior Fans Cant find a dealer or re- seller any where.
At what mileage should the dive belt be replaced?
Dear Jimmy,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
They can typically last from 60,000 to 100,000 miles under good conditions. I recommend at least checking once a year and replacing once there are any signs of cracking. There really is no mileage to change them but if you want to be on the safer side, I would replace it every 50,000 to 75,000 to be safe.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Need help getting all the systems checked on this beast. New Owner
Converter battery problems
My 2 door dometic reefer is OK on the freezer side but very slow to cool down on the refrigerator side.
I use ice bags in both to “jump start” for a weekend. Is there a control unit between the 2 sides which may be at fault?
Dear Jim,
I would check the door gasket and make sure it is sealing well. The fridge and freezer work off of the same cooling unit so they should both be working the same. There is about a 30 degree difference between the two, so if the freezer is at 20 degrees (which would still freeze items) the fridge may only be at 50 degrees. There could be a venting issue not allowing it to cool more than it is. Check the vents and make sure nothing is blocking it and there is good air flow. There could be other issues like the thermistor is cutting out too soon as well. I would start with the door gasket though. If you take a dollar bill and close it half way in the door when it is shut, pull the bill out and see how it feels. It should have some tension and not come out easy. If it does come out easy you might have to replace the gasket as it is not sealing tight enough. We have some great videos troubleshooting this issue, I will post the link below. I hope this helps!
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/videos/rv-refrigerator/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Since I do not own an air compressor, can I use “canned air” sold for cleaner key boards to blw out dust and cobwebs from the fridge, and other propane appliances too for that matter?
Dear Gerry,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
Yes you sure can. I recommend those to people that do not have compressors. The air pressure coming out of those cans are actually pretty low compared to a compressor so it shouldn’t damage anything. Those are nice to have too since the nozzle can reach tough areas that need cleaned. These are great to use for cleaning out the burner tube of water heaters and other propane appliances.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I like your articles, but I noticed 3 spelling or syntax errors at the start of the refrigerator article you just put out. I hate to think of how many customers you have lost because they have been put off by your lack of editing.
Dear Steve,
Thank you for contacting us.
I appreciate your feedback and it has been forwarded to the proper department. Your comments are important to us and help with the development of our online video streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
Sincerely,
Taylar
RV Repair Club Video Membership
my fridge do not work I get no cold in my fridge
I need the ignightor