How do RV Ice Makers work?

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Hey guys,

We found 2 RV ice makers at the junkyard, and I was thinking of pulling one and installing it in Excalibur...How do they work?  Are they like the RV refrigerators, using ammonia and hydrogen, or do they use a compressor like household fridges?  They both seem in decent shape, and if they work, they would save us a lot of money on ice...lol!

Anyone know how these things work, and if you have to vent them like an RV fridge?

Thanks!
Kev and Patti

[ClydesdaleKevin]

I answered my own question:  They work with small compressors like a household freezer, and need no extra vents than the one on the front.

And unfortunately, upon closer inspection, the two at the junkyard are a no-go:  The one I took a picture of has all of its copper tubing severely corroded, with rust all over the back once I removed it, so I didn't even bother pulling it any further...and the other one, a Dometic, is just SO grungy and nasty that even if I wanted to pull it and clean it up, Patti would have been grossed out WAY too much. 

Kev