Gas powered RV refrigerators use a cooling system know as ammonia absorption
refrigeration. Ammonia absorption refrigeration as the name implies uses ammonia
as a key component of the coolant. If a cooling unit using the ammonia
absorption refrigeration system is leaking you can normally smell the ammonia.
However a smell of ammonia does not necessarily mean you have a leak.
Is the ammonia smell DEFINITELY coming from the RV refrigerator? Occasionally cleaners and disinfectants can
smell the same.
All propane RV refrigerators have a mix of ammonia, water and hydrogen in them.
If
you smell ammonia and it is not a disinfectant or cleaner then the cooling unit is
most likely leaking and will require the replacement
of the cooling unit. If yes
click here - if no
continue
If the RV refrigerator is working correctly and the smell eventually goes away, it was most
likely a cleaner.
