Before the invention of modern low temperature refrigeration, ice was used to cool food and beverages in RVs, much like it was in homes. Mechanical refrigeration systems that use compressors are noisy and consume a lot of electricity, but they cool quickly. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners, among other household and business appliances, have virtually uniformly adopted this strategy.
Absorption RV fridge systems essentially offer cooling by transporting heat from where it isn’t wanted to where it won’t affect anything. Both mechanical and absorption refrigerators fall within this category. In 1858, a French scientist devised absorption cooling, which uses water and sulphuric acid as the heat transfer medium. A three-fluid combination developed by Swedish scientists in 1922 advanced the technique.
In the RV market, the 1960s witnessed the increasing development of so-called absorption refrigeration systems, which seemed to magically cool food and even make ice out of the heat! Although they may not cool as rapidly as systems with compressors, these devices are silent, have no moving mechanical parts, and use less energy. Dometic formed a distinct firm in 2001 when AB Electrolux sold RV refrigerators under the Dometic name. Dometic now manufactures the majority of RV refrigerators.
Differences Between Compressor And Absorption Refrigeration
A refrigerant gas with a very low boiling point temperature is used in both compressor-type and absorption refrigerators. When a refrigerant boils in the presence of heat, it transports the heat away with it and then condenses. The cooling effect is caused by the transition from a gas to a liquid.
The primary difference between absorption and compressor refrigeration is how the refrigerant is transformed from a gas to a liquid, allowing the cycle to recur. Absorption refrigerators use just heat to turn a gas into a liquid, with no moving parts save the refrigerant gas, which circulates in a circle of tubes.
Tips To Improve Cooling Performance
Refrigerator doors in RVs should not be left open for lengthy periods; prepare ahead and act fast to keep everything cool inside. Parking so that the sun does not shine directly just on side of the couch in which the refrigerator is placed is another approach to optimize cooling effectiveness. Also, place ice in the refrigerator before leaving on a vacation to speed up the cooling process when it is turned on. By inserting a piece of paper between the gasket lips and closing the door on it, you may see if the door gasket is sealing properly. Try dragging the paper around the circumference of the door; if there is no drag, the gasket isn’t sealing properly.
One of the conditions for good absorption refrigerator functioning is leveling. To ensure proper refrigerant flow, proper leveling must be maintained. If the cooling unit is not properly leveled, the refrigerant will accumulate and stagnate in some regions. The cooling process will come to a halt without appropriate refrigerant flow. The vehicle must be leveled to guarantee correct leveling and that it is pleasant to live in. (There is no visible slanting in the floor or walls.)
Final Thoughts
In the future, solid-state electrical components might be used to provide cooling in RV refrigerators. Modern absorption refrigerators, on the other hand, operate well when used properly and they will likely provide your cooling demands for many years.