and found out it didn't get very cold and I got sort of sick even th the windows open. So, switched to electric when I got home and the coldest I could get the freezer was icewater not ice. Looked all over cannot find a gas leak. Tried the gas again -- cannot keep it lit on gas anymore. Won't ignite. ');">Its a 2000 trailer with a professionally done living quarters and the use is light (maybe 6X per year), and shed kept. Could find no mudwasps or other clogs anywhere. Any ideas how I can troubleshoot or what may be wrong here? Just really don't want to take it to a shop til I tried it all myself - don't need the bill or the runaround I typically get there. Its a Dometic midsized fridge. Just a 4' shortwall trailer."/>
Posted 2010-07-10 1:42 PM (#122161) Subject: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Veteran
Posts: 157
Location: Perkiomenville, PA
OK I have a living quarters with a gas/electric fridge. Fired it up and smelled gas. Stubbornly persisted to use it anyway and found out it didn't get very cold and I got sort of sick even
th the windows open. So, switched to electric when I got home and the coldest I could get the freezer was icewater not ice. Looked all over cannot find a gas leak. Tried the gas again -- cannot keep it lit on gas anymore. Won't ignite.
Its a 2000 trailer with a professionally done living quarters and the use is light (maybe 6X per year), and shed kept. Could find no mudwasps or other clogs anywhere. Any ideas how I can troubleshoot or what may be wrong here? Just really don't want to take it to a shop til I tried it all myself - don't need the bill or the runaround I typically get there.
Its a Dometic midsized fridge. Just a 4' shortwall trailer.
Posted 2010-07-10 2:34 PM (#122164 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Did you smell ammonia or gas? If you are running the fridge on electric, you should be able to feel heat from the electric heater above where the gas flame ignites. It takes several minutes to reach the proper temp. If this is warm, and the fridge doesn't cool with either the gas or electric, you probably have a cooling system problem.
The electric takes longer to cool than the gas. If the fridge eventually cools down, the cooling system is ok. If the gas isn't working, the first thing to check is the supply, and then the burner orifice. The supply can be checked by running the burners on a cook top. A good flame indicates a good regulator and sufficient tank supply. The burner orifice can be removed and cleaned, do not enlarge the hole.
If this fails to provide an adequate flame, then there are a few other components in the gas burner area that could be causing a problem; a thermostat, safety valve or thermocouple. I would recommend their replacement be accomplished by a skilled mechanic.
Many gas fridges can have if necessary, their cooling systems rebuilt or repaired.
Posted 2010-07-10 2:40 PM (#122166 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Veteran
Posts: 157
Location: Perkiomenville, PA
Hey thanks for your generous advice. I thought I smelled propane, but not sure what the ammonia smells like perhaps I got that wrong. All other propane (cooktop, gas water heater) work just fine. I left the fridge on electric/high overnight and only got it cool enough to chill water in the freezer. On gas, it will no longer ignite. It was igniting, then quitting, but now it won't do that either.
Posted 2010-07-10 5:46 PM (#122177 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa
Personally if I thought I smelled gas and felt sick I would go get the run around from my dealer Vs carbon monoxide poisoning while I am sleeping. But I prefer to live another day.
Posted 2010-07-10 8:02 PM (#122179 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I basically had the same problem last year with mine.In the long run it was cheaper to replace it. If your mechanically incline you can replace it your self. It was 7yrs old when i replaced it.
Posted 2010-07-10 10:47 PM (#122184 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Veteran
Posts: 157
Location: Perkiomenville, PA
Well, that gives me the idea its not unusual for them not to last all that long. Much appreciated. It may be best for me to go out ad get an ICE BOX they sure never go bad And, they cost a whole lot less to buy. I'll have to think it all over.. Thanks again.
Posted 2010-07-13 8:29 AM (#122281 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Regular
Posts: 68
Hi we just replaced the Dometic fridge yesterday in our living quarters it ran 24 hours a day for the last eight years so I figure we got good use out of it !I smelled ammonia really bad before it went did two, week long trips, without the fridge hated it had to have my fridgeI did buy one of those electric/cigarette lighter coolers from walmart to keep a few things cold didn't hold much but does keep things cold I hate fooling with ice especially if you have to drive to find it!Mira
Posted 2010-07-13 3:33 PM (#122326 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Veteran
Posts: 157
Location: Perkiomenville, PA
These have been VERY helpful posts. Thanks. Its possible I am guessing that age matters more than use - i.e. the fridge has a number of years its going to work whether you use it or you don't. Well, that said, I am with you about the not wanting to find ice...
Can't say how much I appreciate having a place where people will send advice to me.
Posted 2010-07-14 3:00 PM (#122378 - in reply to #122345) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Veteran
Posts: 214
Location: lyle,mn
Why not call the conversion company and see if they can shed any light on the subject? They might be able to help you and they might even have an 800 phone #.
Posted 2010-07-15 7:54 PM (#122432 - in reply to #122161) Subject: RE: Living Qtrs Refrigerator Problem - Help Request
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida
There were recalls on dometic fridges blowing amonia and burning the rig to the ground. Make sure you ask if this damage is covered under that recall. See the dometic site for your model.