The rv refrigeration in your RV refrigerator uses simple science to keep your food and drinks cold. The basic principle is that water absorbs ammonia, a process discovered by Michael Faraday in the 1800s. A flame in the boiler of your RV refrigerator heats ammonia gas until it reaches its boiling point, at which time it is separated from the water and converted into a liquid solution. This is then pumped into the fridge, where it cools your foods and beverages. The cycle repeats itself over and over to keep your food cold.
While there are many different types of RV refrigerators, they all operate using the same principle. The most common RV refrigerators use compressors to cool the food, while others use absorption technology. A few even have a combination of both. The most important thing is to keep the refrigerator in good working order, so that it continues to work well for years to come.
A quick look at the differences between these types of RV refrigerators can help you decide which one is best for your needs.
Refrigerators with Compressors
The most popular RV refrigerators are those that use a compressor to cool the food and beverages. These refrigerators have a fan that blows air over the condenser coils to make them cold, and they can run on either a generator or 120V AC power. While this type of RV refrigerator is efficient, it does have some disadvantages. For one, it tends to take longer to cool things down than other types of RV refrigerators, and it can be noisy when running.
Another issue with these refrigerators is that they can be damaged by high levels of heat. During operation, the compressor generates heat that can damage some of its internal components. This can lead to a failure of the refrigerator. It’s possible to prevent this from happening by making sure the unit is always operating in a cool, dry location.
RV Refrigerators with Absorption Technology
An absorption-type RV refrigerator is a good option if you want a quieter, more energy-efficient refrigerator for your motorhome or trailer. These refrigerators operate on the same principle as other refrigerated appliances, but they don’t have any moving parts. Instead, they utilize a process called “gas absorption.” Essentially, a small amount of ammonia is boiled into a gas and then condensed back into a liquid. The liquid then combines with water vapor and drips into a reservoir.
This reservoir is then pumped through the system to continue the cooling process. When you want to eat something, the cooled liquid is pumped through a valve into the refrigerator compartment. The absorption fridge also doesn’t produce any harmful byproducts, unlike some other types of refrigerators.
Another benefit of this refrigerator is that it can be used while you’re driving your RV, or boondocking without an electrical hookup. However, you must remember that this refrigerator will be using your car battery for power when it’s in use while driving. This can cause the refrigerator’s 12V battery to drain, so be careful to change the power source if you have to be stopped for long periods of time.