It doesn’t take most new RV owners long to realize that they are driving a complicated machine, which at its worst can develop all the problems of both a car and a house. RV air conditioners, heating units and refrigerators are the most frequent offenders, often using several energy sources - shore line, propane, battery, generator…so many systems that can potentially go wrong. And, unlike problems dealing with flat tires or broken windshield wipers, knowledgeable help can be hard to find.
In the Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Greater Miami-Dade region, help with a cranky A/C, faulty furnace or failing fridge is just a phone call away. Michael Grant of Southern RV Refrigeration Services has worked on every sort of RV system and appliance for more than 35 years and knows all the tricky ways they can go wrong.
“Sometimes it’s like figuring out a puzzle,” Grant says. “There can be a broken wire somewhere, or a lock out on a safety switch. Figuring out what’s wrong can be like a treasure hunt.”
Michael Grant got into RV repair through his work servicing yachts in his younger days. “One of my customers had an RV, and I realized that many of the components were the same, so I got certified,” he says. “RVs are really land yachts, and they have the advantage of meeting people from different walks of life. These days I’m seeing many younger people going RVing.”
Grant is certified to work on all types of RV air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators and ice makers, as well as heat pumps and furnaces using LP gas. He also installs new heating or air conditioning units or heat pumps that combine both functions in a single unit.
The number one tip Grant offers RV owners to keep everything running smoothly is to be sure their RV is level. “It’s one of the biggest problems, especially with refrigerators,” he says. “They have to be level to run properly. If they aren’t, the liquid inside doesn’t circulate and the unit overheats and fails.”
A level RV is key in ensuring refrigeration units run correctly while traveling in your home on wheels.
The chemicals that circulate inside an RV refrigerator operate on gravity, and when the rig is off-kilter the chemicals stop flowing, causing the unit to overheat, possibly even causing a fire or explosion. Ideally, the refrigerator shouldn’t run tilted for more than 30 minutes; something to keep in mind if you are making a long haul uphill.
The RV owner’s best friend to prevent ‘fridge trouble is an inexpensive bubble level. Generally available for under $5, the bubble level should be placed in the freezer and checked every time you park your RV. A thermometer to check that your food is staying at the proper temperature is another inexpensive way to stay safe. Food in the refrigerator compartment should be kept at 40 degrees or below, while the freezer needs to be at zero degrees.
Besides choosing level parking spots, another trick is to park with the outside refrigerator vent on the shady side of your rig away from the sun to keep your condenser coils cool. The vent should be opened regularly to dust cobwebs and other debris brushed away. Check your refrigerator’s door gasket to make sure it has got a tight seal, and defrost regularly, especially if you begin to see ice on the evaporator fins inside. If you’ve checked all these things and your thermometer indicates that food still isn’t staying at a safe temperature, it’s time to seek professional help.
The number one consideration in keeping your RV air conditioner running properly is to hook up to proper electricity - 30 amps for one A/C, 50 if you have two. Trying to run the unit on 15 amps will cause it to fail, and damage it internally. If you are running on a generator, be sure it is rated to produce at least 3,000 watts.
Maintenance you can do on your air conditioner includes checking the exterior hood for cracks, and being sure the seal around the unit isn’t leaking causing water damage to ceilings, walls or floor. On the interior, the shroud can be removed and the foam pad washed and replaced. While it dries, vacuum the ductwork to remove dust.
Many people, especially first-time RVers, are wary of the unfamiliar propane systems in their new rig. For safety and peace of mind, turn your propane off while traveling and be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector, preferably one with a digital display and alarm, inside your RV. The unit should be tested regularly and batteries replaced as needed. If the alarm goes off, it’s time for professional help.
Michael Grant says it’s important to have regular maintenance done on your RV appliances and interior systems. To ensure an RV’s optimal operation and longevity, Grant recommends full-timers have a check done on their rigs every 2 to 3 months, while part-timers need to get checked out at the beginning of the season and before long trips. A proper maintenance service, he says, should include things like replacing filters, checking the thermostat on furnaces, cleaning the blower wheel and coils, checking the temperature output and compressor on air conditioners, and checking the heater wattage, temperature sensor and door gasket on refrigerators.
Michael Grant believes RVs are a great lifestyle choice and enjoys helping people maintain their rigs in top working condition. “It’s better than yachts,” he says. “On a yacht, you can only go where the water goes, you have to worry about the weather a lot… and on a boat, your neighbors are all fish.”
Education, Features, Health, Industry Edge, RV Lifestyle, RV Maintenance