If your recreational vehicle refrigerator isn't keeping as cold as it used to or has stopped working altogether, you may be able to revive it with a process called "burping." This process doesn't always work, but you should at least try it, because it might save you the cost of a new RV fridge.
Absorption type refrigerators used in recreational vehicles depend on a mixture of ammonia, water and hydrogen held under high pressure in the cooling system coils. In a refrigerator that has not been sitting level, or has been sitting unused for some time, this cooling system mixture can develop bubbles or a vapor lock.
Preparation
You'll need to remove the refrigerator from the RV to attempt the burping procedure. Before removing the fridge, make sure the 110 power is disconnected and the propane gas has been turned off at the tank. Then disconnect the propane gas feed and the electrical feeds (both 110-volt and 12-volt if your fridge uses both).
RV refrigerators are typically shoehorned into place. Study the situation carefully to determine how the fridge is secured to the RV frame and the surrounding cabinets. Take digital photos before beginning each step so you'll have a record of how things fit back together.
Method One
There are two general approaches to burping the fridge. The first approach is a little more involved, but takes less time.
Place the unit on one side, and wait until the gurgling stops (allow about three to five minutes). Repeat for the other side, the top, and back to the base. Rock the unit backwards about 45 degrees, hold for three minutes or so, then rock forward to about 45 degrees, and again hold for about three minutes. Plug the unit in or fire it up with propane, wait about four hours, and check to see if it's cooling.
Method Two
The second approach to burping the refrigerator is to simply stand the unit on its head for about 24 hours, and then set it on its base and carefully level it. Wait until any gurgling stops (the ammonia mixture moving around in the condenser tubes), and fire it up with either 110-volt electrical power or a portable propane bottle. After about four hours, check the temperatures in the freezer and in the food storage section.
References
Writer Bio
Based in central Oregon, Gary MacFadden started writing in 1972 as a "stringer" for several Montana newspapers. He has written six books about bicycle touring and has been published in "Outside," "Wilderness Camping," "Adventure Cyclist" and other publications. MacFadden holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Montana.
