How do I Remove a Propane/Electric Refrigerator Heating Element from an RV?

The heating element of the propane/electric refrigerator is designed to supply the heat needed to operate the refrigerator when there is no electric power. Removing the heating element is a fairly simple job that can be done in about an hour or two by taking the back off the refrigerator and removing the cooling unit.

Things You'll Need

• Crescent wrench
• Screwdriver
• Electrical tape
• 2-inch by 4-inch board
• Small pry bar

Instructions

1. Close the shut off valve to the propane bottle that supplies gas for the propane/electric refrigerator and unplug the electric cord from the power supply. Detach the propane supply line on the back of the refrigerator with a crescent wrench and remove the 12 volt power cord from the back of the appliance with a screwdriver.

2. Place electrical tape around the exposed wires of the power cord to protect yourself from electric shock and unfasten the screws that are securing the refrigerator to the floor with a screwdriver.

3. Take the doors off the front of the refrigerator by unfastening the mounting screws inside the door frame with a screwdriver and set the doors out of the way.

4. Move the refrigerator out so you can work from behind the appliance and remove the screws that hold the back panel in place with a screwdriver. Set the back panel out of the way and unfasten the screws that secure the capillary tube to the inside of the refrigerator. Be careful not to puncture the tube.

5. Lay the refrigerator down on its face carefully so you don't scratch the surface and slide the capillary tube out of the way. Place a piece of wood across the back of the refrigerator to use as leverage and locate the large tube at the base of the cooling unit.

6. Slide a small pry bar over the board and underneath the large cooling unit tube. Pry up gently on the tube to dislodge the cooling unit from the refrigerator and remove the unit from the refrigerator.

7. Remove the baffle from the cooling unit chimney with a screwdriver and detach the heating element from the cooling unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Always turn off the shut off valve to the propane tank before attempting to remove the heating element of the propane/electric refrigerator.

References

• Nucold: Changing a Cooling Unit
• Rverscorner: Refrigerator Problems