RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting

If you own an RV or camper with a refrigerator inside, then you may have noticed that it doesn't work the same as the refrigerator in your home. Not only are the units and motors much smaller, but it also depends on proper air flow and circulation to function properly. When you notice a problem, focus on basic RV refrigerator troubleshooting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Volt-ohm meter Sheet of paper Canned air
Volt-ohm meter
Sheet of paper
Canned air

Step 1

Look for signs of a problem with the cooling unit. There are three basic signs that the unit is broken: the smell of ammonia on the outside of the refrigerator, sodium chromate outside and a gurgling sound coming from the refrigerator when it's turned on. If you find any of these problems, the whole unit will need replacing.

Step 2

Use a volt-ohm meter to check the different components of the refrigerator. Check the selector switch, the power switch, the outlet and the thermostat. If any one of these things doesn't have the right amount of power, then the refrigerator won't work properly and will not run at the proper temperature.

Step 3

Adjust the power of the refrigerator to high the day before you leave on your next trip. An RV refrigerator needs at least 24 hours to bring the internal temperature up. This also gives you time to see if there's a more serious problem associated with the unit or if it just needs additional time to work properly.

Step 4

Fold a sheet of paper in half, place it inside the door and then close the door on it. Pull the paper with your hand and see if it slides out easily, or if it stays stuck in the door. If the paper slides out, then you have a problem with the door gasket and will need a new one.

Step 5

Check the gas burner at the base of the refrigeration unit, but only if you use gas to cool the unit. The gas burner could be dirty or dusty, as debris from the chimney falls into the space. Use canned air to blow the debris from the gas burner and check the refrigerator again. Anything trapped in the area can stop the refrigerator from working correctly.

Tips & Warnings

Always use only cold food in your refrigerator, such as food that you previously stored in your home refrigerator. RV fridges are meant to keep food cold and not chill food right away.

Don't use the refrigerator if your RV is sitting uneven. This can cause serious damage to the unit, including causing it to die.

Article Written By Jennifer Eblin

Jennifer Eblin has been a full-time freelance writer since 2006. Her work has appeared on several websites, including Tool Box Tales and Zonder. Eblin received a master's degree in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

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