Troubleshooting Your Airstream's Absorption Refrigerator

Keeping your Airstream absorption refrigerator in peak operating condition is normally an easy task. The Airstream RV absorption refrigerator, which normally comes standard in the unit, uses an ammonia solution that can be heated by alternative power sources: 12-volt DC current, 110-volt AC current, or the liquid propane (LP) gas supply.

These reliable refrigerators can last for many years if properly maintained on an annual basis. Unlike ordinary 110 volt AC house-type refrigerators, these absorption refrigerators are very versatile, especially if a normal 110 volt AC power supply is unavailable.

Using 12-volt DC or LP gas to power the Airstream refrigerator allows the unit to operate while the travel trailer or motorhome is being towed or driven to the next camping site. This keeps the food inside of the refrigerator cold during this travel time.

This article describes some problems you can troubleshoot yourself to help you keep your RV refrigerator in top working condition.

Without going into complete detail about RV absorption refrigerators, I can tell you the process is fairly simple. This type of refrigerator has no moving parts to replace outside of the switches involved in changing the unit from 12 volt DC to 110 volt AC or LP gas. Many of the newer refrigerators do this switching automatically, with no manual adjustment.

These wonderful absorption refrigerators use heat to make cold temperatures. The ammonia solution is cycled over and over, being heated and circulated through separate capillary sections, with the heat going in one direction and the cold in another. The cold solution is concentrated in the proper area of the refrigerator to complete the process and then recycled.

Most of these refrigerators are made by the Dometic company which also makes ice makers and air conditioners. You may get replacement parts for many of these units from Dometic or other RV parts suppliers online.

There are several reasons why your refrigerator might not be not performing properly. These issues are simple to check and repair, if needed.

1. Is Your Refrigerator Level?

2. Is Your Heat Vent or Vent Pipe Blocked?

3. Are the Heating Elements Bad?

4. Is the Pilot Light or Electronic Ignition Working?

5. Are All Your Switches Working Correctly?

Because the RV refrigerator uses gravity to circulate the ammonia solution, it is very important to keep the unit as level as possible. A refrigerator which is not level may not work properly or at all. A tilted campsite often causes an absorption refrigerator to stop cooling properly.

Check the level on your unit before beginning the maintenance check. Get your Airstream travel trailer as level as possible and then check in half an hour to see if this solves the problem.

Some owners use small stick-on level indicators to make sure the refrigerator is properly situated. By placing a stick-on level on the front of the absorption refrigerator unit, and on the side of the wall adjacent to the unit, you can see how the unit must be situated in comparison to the Airstream level indicators on the chassis.

Another common problem with RV absorption refrigerators problem is a blockage of the heat dispersal system. Airstream travel trailers and motorhomes use a vent pipe to allow the heat from the ammonia solution to disperse into the air. Often, birds' nests or wasp nests may block these vent pipes and cause the RV refrigerator to not perform properly.

There is also a vented door located behind the absorption refrigerator on the outside of your Airstream travel trailer or motorhome, and these vents also may also be blocked by insects' or birds' nests. These vents is easy to check from the outside of the Airstream travel trailer.

Annual cleaning of these heat dispersal devices will ensure proper ventilation and circulation of the ammonia-based solution. Cleaning the refrigerator vent pipe may be easier from the roof of the Airstream travel trailer or motorhome.

The 12-volt DC and 110-volt AC heating elements can go bad over a period of time. This a fairly common problem in Dometic RV absorption refrigerators, as well as other RV refrigerator brands.

By using an electrical multimeter to check the voltage of these two elements you can find out if the right voltage is reaching each heating element.

If one or the other of these heating elements do not work when the correct current is indicated, you can easily order a replacement from a Dometic RV refrigerator parts supply or other available RV parts distributors. Usually, ordering online is the most economical way. Be sure to use the model and serial number from your refrigerator when ordering a new element.

Make sure all electrical current is off before trying to replace either element.

In some cases the pilot light or electronic ignition system on Dometic RV refrigerators, and other makes and models, may be at fault when the LP gas option is required.

Older refrigerators may use a traditional pilot light to ignite the flame which furnishes the heat to the ammonia solution. Carbon buildup may cause the pilot light to go out unless it is removed.

Using compressed air to clean out the pilot light is usually the best procedure to follow. After turning off the LP gas, remove the gas line from the RV refrigerator and blow compressed air through the connection. The higher air pressure usually will clear the blocked pilot light orifice.

The newer Dometic RV refrigerators use an electric spark to ignite the LP gas heating flame. You can usually hear or see the spark when the switch is activated. If there is no spark from the igniter, replacing the igniter will often solve this problem.

New igniters may be found at several RV parts suppliers or from a Dometic refrigerator parts supplier.

In rare cases, the control circuit board may need to be replaced. Once again, an electric multimeter comes in handy for checking out this refrigerator component. These replacement circuit boards are quite expensive so before buying one, be sure this part is at fault. Check the model and serial number of your fridge to ensure ordering the correct part.

As always, disconnect the electrical supply, both 12-volt and 110-volt, and turn off the LP gas before doing maintenance on the absorption refrigerator.

Using the multimeter again, check to see if all switches are working correctly. These switches, whether used on a Dometic RV refrigerator or any other type of absorption refrigerator, will malfunction over time.

Replacing these switches is a simple job and may just solve your problem. Order them from Dometic or other RV parts suppliers. Be sure to check the model and serial number of your Airstream refrigerator to ensure you replace it with the proper type.

Replacing Your Refrigerator

If all else fails, you may wish to replace your refrigerator with a new absorption refrigerator or perhaps a small home-type unit instead. A regular home-type unit is much cheaper to buy than a new absorption model. Unless you plan to camp in the wilderness, this type of refrigerator will work just fine.

Proper maintenance will ensure that your Airstream refrigerator will give you many years of satisfying results and a worry-free camping experience. Good luck with the repair and maintenance of your Airstream RV refrigerator.