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2-Way and 3-Way RefrigeratorsĪ 3-way refrigerator usually refers to an absorption refrigerator (meaning it does not have a compressor) that can run off of AC, DC, or propane power.
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They are, however, more dependant on a consistent source of electricity, and therefore better suited for those who stay mostly at developed RV sites. This is usually an Alternating Current (AC) source, though it could be supplied by a Direct Current (DC) if your RV is equipped with an inverter.Ĭompressor refrigerators tend to cool faster and efficiently and are not affected by altitude. To accomplish this, however, the compressor refrigerator needs a constant source of power. While the general process of cooling in a compressor refrigerator is mostly the same as in an absorption refrigerator, the critical difference is that the former has a compressor that moves the ammonia liquid from the condenser fins to the evaporator coils via hydraulic pressure instead of by gravity. The more uneven the fridge is, the less efficiently the ammonia liquid will travel, not only decreasing the fridge’s ability to cool food, but also causing damage to the unit over time.įor a more detailed description of how an absorption refrigerator works, read my article Decoding Your RV Fridge – How It Works Compressor Refrigerators The fridge needs to be level so that the ammonia liquid falls from the condenser fins at the top of the refrigerator to the evaporator coils at the bottom. It’s step 4 that makes it critical that an absorption refrigerator is level.
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Running the fridge on an unlevel surface for more than half an hour can damage the refrigerator. Why does your RV fridge need to be level? Your RV fridge is most likely an absorption refrigerator which relies on gravity for the ammonia liquid to fall from the condenser fins to the evaporator coils where the cooling process takes place. Relatively level in order to work properly. That require constant monitoring and consideration when in a Things that are taken for granted in a stationary home may be issues
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This mobility, however, does come without its own considerations. Comforts of home with the freedom to not be tied to one location.
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