Understanding How RV Refrigeration Works Whether you’re looking to upgrade your RV refrigerator or just add another fridge for extra storage, it’s important to understand how rv refrigeration works. Understanding the basic principles can help you troubleshoot problems and save you money in the long run by preventing expensive repairs or replacements. The majority of RV refrigerators work with a combination of heat and chemicals to provide cooling. They may be powered by propane gas, electricity, or a combination of both. Most RV refrigerators are powered by 120V AC power – also known as shore power. This type of power is typically provided by an electric post at a campground, a generator, or an outlet in your home or garage. This type of power is known for its relatively low voltage, making it ideal for running refrigerators and other large appliances in your rig. Absorption RV Refrigerators Another popular option for RV refrigeration is the propane absorption model. This uses a special coolant mx of hydrogen, ammonia, and water. When your fridge is turned on, it boils the chemical coolant into a gas and then condenses back into a liquid solution. This process repeats itself cyclically to continuously keep your food cold. These types of fridges usually use a closed-loop system which means they only consume a small amount of propane for heating the ammonia solution. Because of this, they are very efficient and require less maintenance than compressor fridges. One downside to this type of refrigerator is that it takes longer for the fridge to get up to speed after a power outage or when you turn it on while parked in hot weather.