• Locate and identify each appliance
  • Air Conditioner
  • Furnace
  • Range
  • Range hood
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Water Heater
  • Generator
• Demonstrate the ability to turn on or light each appliance

Locate and identify each appliance — Air Conditioner

Bottom view of exterior A/C unit

Interior ceiling vent with controls

Diagram of roof top A/C function

Roof top air conditioners can be either ducted or non-ducted as shown above. Air conditioners controls are located either at the ceiling vent or wall thermostat depending on the model.

Furnace

Top to bottom - Blow-through, Ducted, Catalytic

There are five types of heaters that have been or are currently being used in the RV Industry. Gravity, or radiant heaters, are no longer used but may still be found in older units. These furnaces did not use any blowers or fans, but moved air by gravity. Blow through heaters, ducted furnaces, hot-water central heat and catalytic systems are all in current use.

Range

A cooktop is a countertop only appliance having two to four burners and no oven. If an oven is included, then it is classified as a range. The cooktop shares the same components as a range (except for the oven) and operates in the same manner.

Microwave

RV microwave ovens are very similar to home units in features, styles and operation. RV specific microwaves are said to be built to withstand the addtional vibration inherent in the RV and may have different venting than home units.

Refrigerator

Refrigerators in today's RV come in all sizes from small under counter units to large side by side refrigerators with ice makers. RV refrigerators use a cooling process called absorption which operates very differently than compressor driven home refrigerators. The absorption process is explained in detail in the RVIA textbook, Recreation Vehicle Refrigerators.

It is important to know that proper venting is essential to the operation of this type of cooling system. It is also a code requirement that all areas within the recess in which the refrigerator is installed be sealed in such a manner as to provide complete separation of the combustion air and the interior of the recreational vehicle. This regulation requires all seams and joints in the enclosure be sealed that there is a complete seal between the front frame of the refrigerator and the top, sides and bottom of the enclosure to prevent any combustion byproducts from entering the RV. Any holes for wire or tubing that enter the combustion compartment must also be sealed.

Water Heater

Access to the water heater burner and drain is from the outside of the RV. From inside the RV the water heater is normally found in a cabinet near the kitchen or bathroom. A two-valve bypass system is seen here which is used when draining the water heater for winterization.

Generator

Generator Installation on a Rear Engine Diesel Motorhome

The majority of RV generators consist of an engine and an alternator. The engine turns the alternator to create 120/240 VAC power. Generators should never be started or stopped with heavy loads such as air conditioners, heating elements, microwave ovens, etc., on line. Anytime a generator is started, allow time for it to completely warm up before any load is applied. Typically, this takes two to five minutes to accomplish. Detail on the operation and maintenance of RV generators can be found in the RVIA textbook, RV Generators.