Monaco SIGNATURE 2001 series, Owner'S Manual

Page: 102 / 327

This section covers operation and care of various appliances found in the
motorhome. The motorhome is equipped with a refrigerator, cooktop,
microwave, furnace, water heater, roof air conditioner and several optional
appliances. Many of these appliances operate on AC or DC current, LP-Gas or
a combination of all three.
Detailed information with CAUTION or WARNING
instructions for the various appliances, other than what is
found in this section, can be found in the manufacturer’s
manual.
WARNING: Before entering any type of refueling station
make sure all LP-Gas operated appliances are off. Most
LP-Gas appliances used in recreational vehicles are vented to
the outside. When parked close to a gasoline pump it is
possible for fuel vapors to enter this type of appliance and
ignite, resulting in an explosion or fire. Carbon monoxide gas
may cause nausea, fainting or death. Operating an LP-Gas
appliance with inadequate ventilation or partial blockage of
the flue can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not
store flammable liquids such as lighter fluid, gasoline or
propane in the outside refrigerator compartment.
The refrigerator in the motorhome operates on a different principle than a
standard household refrigerator. Knowing these differences should answer
questions or solve problems that may arise. A standard household refrigerator
uses a different type of refrigerant. A compressor will pump refrigerant vapor
into a condenser where the heat from the refrigerant will be dissipated and the
vapor will change to a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is pumped through a
metered orifice or capillary tube at the evaporator. At this time the refrigerant
changes from liquid to a vapor. This change cools the evaporator. Air is then
blown across the evaporator and into the interior of the refrigerator. This sys-
tem is efficient as long as 120 Volts AC is available; however, this does not
allow the freedom a recreational vehicle is designed to give. The recreational
vehicle refrigerator uses a combination of fluids and gas for refrigeration:
ammonia, water, sodium chromate and hydrogen gas. This combination is put
into a pressurized cooling unit at approximately 350 psi. It is heated to a
gaseous state which then rises to the top of the cooling unit into a condenser
where it forms droplets as it cools. As the vapor condenses it will “extract or
absorb” heat from the inside of the refrigerator. Using gravity, the droplets
return through the absorber coils to the absorber vessel to start the process
again. The cooling unit has specific guidelines that need to be followed for
proper operation and insured longevity. Keeping these guidelines in mind
should give years of faithful troublefree service.
Appliances
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S I G N A T U R E
4 • 1 0 2
REFRIGERATOR
INTRODUCTION