Enter the characters you see below Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. 12 Refrigerator brands to avoid 2020 RV Refrigerator: Fridge Fad or the Real Deal?
Chill out with us as we explore this very cool choice for your rig’s kitchen. What Is A 12 Volt RV Refrigerator? These refrigerators operate solely on electricity, as opposed to absorption or two-way RV refrigerators that can burn propane to power their cooling system. Read How Does An RV Refrigerator Work? Because they are 12V they draw power from your rig’s house battery electrical system. Some models can also run directly from the cigarette lighter of your car or truck. If you are plugged into shore power these fridges will still operate on 12V DC, but the converter or battery charger will power the fridge.
These 12 volt RV fridges cool your items using a refrigerant that’s first pressurized. The pressurized refrigerant gets hot and is then cooled in a set of fins where it condenses into a liquid. The liquid is then passed through a small office and vaporizes back to a gas. This vaporization process makes the refrigerant very cold. This gas draws the heat from your refrigerator compartment, cooling it to the appropriate temperature.
All you’ll need is 12V electric power. This is a huge bonus for those on the go. Even larger models that resemble traditional refrigerators are more portable than a propane RV refrigerator unit. They can be moved around your rig or removed without rerouting the propane system. Many of these fridges can operate their freezer well below zero degrees and hold the refrigerator at a safe 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means your ice cream WILL stay hard! Because they operate on the same principle as a residential fridge, many have active airflow in the fridge to better distribute the cool. Basically, they can operate as well as your fridge at home, just run on 12V instead of 120V AC. A 12 volt RV refrigerator can also cool just as well regardless of the temperature outside the fridge.
In contrast, RV fridges that cool via absorption. Absorption-style RV fridges reject their heat outside and are somewhat dependent on ambient temperature. If it’s too hot the fridge may warm. If it’s too cold it may not function properly either.
Additionally, you’ll never have to worry about your food going bad if you run out of propane without realizing it. Since your 12-volt fridge is running on the same power as many of your lights and outlets, you’ll know about power issues immediately. This is because the cooling unit takes up less space and more can be used for storage. This allows them to build in auto defrost for the fridge and freezer. This is a huge benefit for fulltime RV users who know the hassle of having to defrost the fridge every few months.