Understanding RV Fridges | Tips from a Master RV Tech

Learn everything you need to know about RV refrigerators with Todd Henson! Todd is a certified master RV technician working with NRVTA and offers incredibly accessible RV tech courses for consumers at any technical level. Got a fridge problem? Well we just might solve it this week...
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00:00 The RV Podcast 413
00:30 Updates from the Hershey RV Show
05:29 What You Should Know about RV Refrigerators
33:57 RV Tech Course that YOU can take at home!
39:35 Hope to see you at the show! Questions OTW
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By background, we're journalists Mike and Jennifer Wendland and this channel is all about freedom and fun through RV travel! We travel North America in our RV doing travel videos, how-tos, RV walk-through tours and video tips about how to get the most out of the RV Lifestyle.
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[@bfn6ghh]

I wish he would have shared information on 12V refrigerator

[@RockTurnerSr]

Thanks. Great information.

[@janicecrockett1400]

ok. Get him to come and talk about 12v fridges. I ordered the 12v and love it but would Iike to be able to understand and be able to troubleshoot. I am in my 70s but think I am going to take their home course. I want the knowledge and. need to stimulate my brain. They need to offer a older lady a senior citizen discount.

[@miguelechevarria6225]

Great information thank you!

[@erdnanilon]

Wow, great podcast, I recently completed my NRVTA course which was amazingly informative, and I am recommending it 100%....Todd Henson knows the stuff inside out and I can say now that I know way more about what to do for troubleshooting problems. During the winter months, it is a nice way to educate ourselves and be ready for the spring. On another topic, about storage, I don't believe using the oven as storage is a good idea. If you are warming up the oven before cooking a meal if you don't remove what you stored in the oven before there is a good risk of fire.....I am talking by experience, it happened to me....be really careful with this.....thank you

[@dondartt684]

Great refrigerator video, Todd is great. Your content is great.

[@Fldonna]

I swapped out the propane fridge 5 days after taking possession of my new Lance. My new 12v Isotherm is lighter weight, more efficient, runs of my solar, and no need to park level. I could NOT believe the heat coming off the boiler housing tube in the back of that Dometic propane fridge I removed. It's crazy hot!

[@elizabethroblyer5615]

I wish he would have talked about compression refrigerators too!

[@glamperjan]

Great video! We all need this course! Thank you!

[@jodycoyote3916]

So interesting. Thanks to Todd with NRVTA. Fantastic information.

[@di4now]

This was a great episode and Todd is a wealth of knowledge. I hope you have him on again to talk about other RV troublesome items for owners. I follow a few forums for Class C owners (built on Sprinter Chasis) and among the biggest problems faced by owners are those issues that keep them from setting up or tearing down; slide fails, levelers and awning issues. I hope you might consider providing content about these concerns. I Would love to learn more about plumbing issues, myself. Specifically my poor water pressure when not connected. Thanks Mike & Jen for helping to provide great content and getting accurate understandable and important info to RVers.

[@ShawnPatterson402]

We have the good old two way absorption style fridge. Our previous rig had a 12 volt everchill. The 12 volt was bigger no doubt, but was a huge energy drain when off grid. Without solar an AGM battery won't even run this for 24 hours let alone provide any other energy for furnace fan or lights. With 12 batteries and some solar power we could squeak through a couple of nights off grid but that was it. With the absorption we simply run it on propane when off grid and it will last as long as my 60 pounds of propane will. Also I have never seen the need to run it when travelling. The last thing we do before leaving camp is shut the fridge off, and we can be on the road for 8 or 10 hours, and when we get to the next spot it is still good and cold inside the fridge and everything in the freezer is still frozen. Certainly do not see the need to run it while driving, and have to worry about open flame and open propane tanks....as always safe travels...

[@maureentweedly]

Great to see how they work. From experience with an absorption unit, if the freezer is good but the fridge is struggling, it could be the propane pressure regulator. Just need a manometer to check the level of pressure. Solution....replace the regulator which is not an expensive item.

[@Mannix007]

This is such a helpful video/podcast. I'm about to take possession of my 1st RV (Sprinter 4x4 by Field Van in Fresno, CA) and I had no idea if my Isotherm 115 Freeline Elegance fridge is an absorption or compressor type. The Google machine told me it's a compressor type. I was thrilled to learn this. Thanks Mike, Jen and Todd!

[@bertkelly7650]

Yay! Todd!

[@Eric12358]

Propane fridges use a lot less energy. Mine only uses 5 gallons of propane in 2 months. Probably because propane fridges have no moving parts. Just a tiny propane flame that only comes on when needed. An engineering marvel. I'd probably have to have 4 more heavy AGM batteries for a compressor fridge.

[@catemitten5857]

Where do you find a 12 volt compressor style Refridge.

[@dawnafleming7605]

Unfortunately my husband and I have never been to an RV show without coming away with a new rig. Fortunately all purchases were made with reputable local dealers and everyone of them was a great purchase. We have been so lucky

[@bill29456]

Great video. It’s was great information on fridges. I did have a question on the show and even your coverage of it. We have a toy hauler fifth wheel primarily because my wife is wheel chair bound and it was the easiest way to keep camping. I never see anyone cover wheelchair accessible rv’s. Maybe I need to start a channel 🤔. Have you ever thought of covering that market?

[@tthoutx1]

Is it really best to buy an RV at a show? You don’t have the opportunity to test everything and have a inspector inspect it if you choose to do so. In the spring of 2020 I was headed to an RV dealer 700 miles away to pick up my new Tiffin Motorhome cashiers check in hand, they assured me everything was working perfect and Was AOK. When I got there the slide didn’t work, the generator wouldn’t start, there was a hole in the shower wall and it had cabinetry falling off the wall. Needless to say I drove home. Even though I’m still pretty mechanical I wouldn’t buy even a new RV without an inspection.

[@pammartin3554]

Wow lots of good information - so far we haven’t had any issues with our fridge, we have only used it with propane once when we were at a rustic campground earlier this year. We use the electric when we can - we only have a two way Norco fridge in our little Keystone Hideout 174RK

[@larrycox6614]

I wonder if the whining issue was really coming from the propane regulator as the refrigerator's demand for propane to keep it cool was high. I'm also interested in the model # of the Bluetooth refrigerator thermometer Todd mentioned.

[@geocacherny7030]

How do you keep your fridge cold and freezer iced if you don't keep it on all the time? 11 years of RVing and I've never turned off the fridge from the day before a trip until after getting home months later. My Norcold is always colder than it should be, I guess I won't complain. Interesting info, thanks for the interview

[@brendonbarth3976]

Dont be afraid of a propane fridge. Its what allows you to boondock for weeks without running a generator

[@Eric12358]

I learned that propane fridges die very slowly. I tried for a year to correct mine with fans and other gimmicks but then it finally conked out. It was a relief actually. My new propane fridge has worked perfectly for the past 3 years. I try to keep as level as possible never more than 3 degrees.

[@marksmith7553]

If you get a chance ask him if it's okay to put the bug screens on on the access panel outside? Or does it reduce the air flow too much.

[@phonemd1]

I just put a frozen glass of water in the freezer with a nickel on top.........if the nickel sinks to the bottom, you know you lost the temperature for a period of time.

[@jenes440]

Mike you need to go see the Luxe Fifth Wheels they have a top-of-the-line lux fifth wheel. and the mini sign my truck. If you have time get a nice video of the try and The mini semi truck. Enjoy have fun 🤩

[@geocacherny7030]

Oh that explains why my ice cream is that way. In order for my freezer to be freezing, my fridge is often 29 degrees.

[@geocacherny7030]

I'll have to look at the thermistor

[@justfollowthatvan6721]

Is there an RV Lifestyle discount code for this online RV tech class?

[@renelambert552]

We normally travel 3 to 6 hours on a travel day. Will the refrigerator stay cold enough during that time if propane is off?

[@karleverts947]

Some say that you should run it on the generator when traveling. That is a lot more expensive in the short run, but if it saves you from having to buy a new refer so be it. If no generator, then all you can do is not open the door until you get to where you are stopping. The cold will last 3 hours. On a 6 hour check the temperature upon arrival. It should be ok.

[@ASRivers]

So, when driving. an LTV Wonder, do you leave the absorption fridge on propane, electric (lithium + solar), generator, auto or shut off? Thanks

[@howardwatts4238]

All that is true it could happen but sence 1978 i have had 7 rv trailers thr last 30 years i have worked and traveled in the last 6 of them a have used the propane in the frg for i would say 85% of the time. No problems what so ever.

[@pammartin3554]

I sure hope you and Jen show more pull along trailers 😳 been watching the show most of the day and all anyone is showing is large very expensive Class As. And very expensive Class C and fifth wheels. Who knows many there isn’t and trailers at the show 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️. Maybe we will go to the Grand Rapids show on September 24th

[@patrickburke9764]

If the Refrigerator is in the back of your RV is that better place while traveling and the flame dosen,t get as much air, which he said when there are on the side the flame get air coming in causing the flame to go to one side, question was frig. in back is it better for flame issues !!

[@billcoleman7316]

I installed window screening over the inside of the vents and it keeps the bugs out.

[@bambamrv8287]

Great info, but will never do business with Camping World

[@laurabrown2309]

Would love to know the brand/make/model he uses for bluetooth thermometer. :)

[@geocacherny7030]

I'm always replacing the fridge thermometers... Can't replace the battery.. I'll have to look for the Bluetooth ones.

[@bjwieland-doucet5917]

My fridge is gas/electric. I don't use any gas in my rig. Scared of fires. I'm stationary so am on shore power totally. How do I keep my fridge from freezing everything. I've tried moving the little slide thing up & down but can't figure out which keeps things cold enough with no freezing. I defrost monthly using bowls of hot water.

[@valeriehayes422]

12v only, compressor fridge uses less energy, better cooling, larger interior space. Yes you have to have battery.

[@dkleath8697]

The scariest thing about RV Refrigerators is cost of replacement/parts !!!

[@davidwaggoner5776]

Mike and Jen, there’s going to be some huge news in the near future in every industry let alone the RV industry. When NESARA is announced the industry itself will implode. I’m speaking from the transportation side of things. From that side, things are really about to change. The transport companies are cutting the pay to the drivers even as fuel prices hold steady at record highs. Lots of info we could talk about. Lots of things people haven’t heard about that are inbound.

[@tinamck28]

Please ask the manufacturers why they put the bed on the drivers side? I don’t want to be in my neighbors “yard” when in bed!

[@critters16]

Thank you, very helpful. I'm gonna change out a fridge!

[@bobmirror7164]

The video is not gong to win any technical awards.