RV Refrigerator Repair – 4 Simple Fixes You Can Do Yourself
If you are on the road and your RV refrigerator suddenly stops working, norcold rv refrigerators it can be frustrating. Luckily, there are some basic troubleshooting steps you can do yourself to get it back up and running again. These fixes will help you keep your fridge in top condition and avoid costly RV refrigerator repair.
#1 – Check for Levelness and Temperature Issues
Most rv refrigerators have a thermostat and thermistors that control the temperature of the liquid cooling solution inside. If these are not correctly positioned, the fridge will not work properly. This could be due to misalignment of the unit, improper mounting on the roof, or a lack of insulation in the cooling coils. If you can, inspect the coils for insulation coming loose or bird nests, needles, or other debris blocking them. If the problem is a simple one, you may be able to fix it yourself with a little elbow grease and a lot of patience!
#2 – Test All Modes of Operation
For a RV refrigerator to be fully operational, it must run on a combination of electricity and propane gas. The first step in this process is to verify that 120 Volt AC power is available at the rear of the refrigerator. You can use a volt ohm meter to confirm this.
#3 – Examine the Heating Element
A common reason for RV refrigerator repair is a burned-out heating element, which can be easily replaced. To test the element, plug it into an outlet and turn on the appliance. Then, plug it into a volt ohm metre and see if you get any voltage at the element. If you do not, it is likely that the heating element is burned out and needs to be replaced.
#4 – Check the LP Burner and Thermocouple
This is another common culprit for preventing RV refrigerators from running well. If your LP gas burner is not lighting or staying lit, it is likely that the thermocouple, which senses heat and controls the valve to allow a propane flame to stay lit until the fridge senses that it has reached the desired temperature (or is close to it), is broken. You can replace this device yourself, or have a professional do it.
#5 – Check the Drain Line
If you notice a strong smell of ammonia when opening your RV refrigerator, it is likely that the evaporator portion of your cooling unit is leaking. This can cause a severe smell, so it is important to shut off the refrigerator and open all doors and vents in your RV to allow for ventilation and remove the odor.
Eventually, the ammonia will diminish and your refrigerator will be back to normal, but it is still wise to have your cooling unit serviced when the ammonia level is high enough to cause significant damage to metal shelves in the lower compartment.
If your rv refrigerator has a combustible gas detector, you can also make sure this is working properly. This detector is powered by batteries and can detect flammable gases, including ammonia, which is a common contaminant in RVs.