Posted 2012-06-18 1:17 PM (#144926) Subject: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Canton, MI
Just got a new to me LQ. Has a Demetic 2 way fridge/freezer in it. They hadn't used the unit since last summer so I dewinterized the trailer and took it on the maiden voyage this weekend. Plugged the trailer into the 30amp at my house and the fridge and freezer were both working great. However, when I tried to run it on the LP tanks the fridge was coolish, but definitely not cold. This one does not have temperature control. The freezer still worked find. The "check" light was on at first, but then fixed that by getting the air out of the line so it didn't act like it wasn't getting propane. I then plugged my generator in thinking that would fix it. Honda EU2000, had to use the converter plug, but should still be more than enough to run the fridge. Same problem, freezer works, not the fridge. Any thoughts? No ammonia smell in there, the flame is nice and blue, burners don't seem clogged or anything. I'm going to take it in for service, but was really hoping that it was something simple we could fix at home since I JUST bought this thing!
Posted 2012-06-19 7:00 AM (#144947 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Originally written by eventergirl on 2012-06-18 1:17 PM
Just got a new to me LQ. Has a Demetic 2 way fridge/freezer in it. They hadn't used the unit since last summer so I dewinterized the trailer and took it on the maiden voyage this weekend. Plugged the trailer into the 30amp at my house and the fridge and freezer were both working great. However, when I tried to run it on the LP tanks the fridge was coolish, but definitely not cold. This one does not have temperature control. The freezer still worked find. The "check" light was on at first, but then fixed that by getting the air out of the line so it didn't act like it wasn't getting propane. I then plugged my generator in thinking that would fix it. Honda EU2000, had to use the converter plug, but should still be more than enough to run the fridge. Same problem, freezer works, not the fridge. Any thoughts? No ammonia smell in there, the flame is nice and blue, burners don't seem clogged or anything. I'm going to take it in for service, but was really hoping that it was something simple we could fix at home since I JUST bought this thing!
My personal opinon is that RV fridges are best used for storage and coolers and ice are best used to keep things cold. An RV fridge does not work in the same way that a home fridge works, it works by removing heat which can take a long time and be very inefficient. I am sure there are some high end RV fridges that work well but my experience with the smaller dorm type is that they take forever to get cool (not cold) and as soon as you open the door most of that cool quickly escapes. Weather also makes a big difference with my fridge, it works really well in the cool weather but isn't worth turning on in the hot weather.
Posted 2012-06-19 9:06 AM (#144948 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A RV fridge works by heating amonia gas, as opposed to a compressor unit found in homes. If the fridge works by heating with electricity, then the cooling unit is good, the gas hasn't leaked out, and the system is functional.
Most RV problems with their gas appliances, involve difficulties with dirty areas surrounding the actual flames. Bugs, dirt, road vibration can all cause problems in the burner sections, with poor flames being the result.
Most of the time, it just takes some cleaning maintenance, to effect the repair. Sometimes a baffle or the burner can become slightly displaced from the road vibration, causing the flame to be less effective.
With the exterior access panel open, have someone perform a start cycle. Look into the tube that contains the flame and observe if the flame ignites, and if so, how well it burns. Look within the tube itself, to see if the passage is restricted by rust, bug nests or any other foreign obstacles. Using a low pressure, the tube may be blown out with compressed air.
If the flame isn't symmetrical, the orifice may be partially plugged. It can be unscrewed and cleaned or replaced. You want to have a blue, conical flame, not a bright yellow flame that is a spread out in a fan shape and varying in intensity.
If you are not mechanically inclined, I would not advise messing with any of the gas system, and instead suggest taking your trailer to a trained mechanic.
Posted 2012-06-19 9:12 AM (#144949 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Canton, MI
Thanks gard, that was helpful! We've observed the start cycle and the flame is nice and blue, not yellow, but will try and look inside the tube for rust etc. and blow out with low pressure. My husband is mechanically inclined fortunately, we just aren't super familiar with these 2 way fridges. If these other things don't work I'll just suck it up and take it in:)
Posted 2012-06-19 9:22 AM (#144950 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
for those who have older fridges, that do not have a temp setting, you can easily fing out how cold it is getting, and staying.
I bought one of the cheap wireless indoor / outdoor thermometers. I put the outdoor unit/ transmitter in the fridge, and had the receiver there in the camper. I could watch how much the temp fluctuated over a weekend, and adjust the temp setting on mine.
With my truck camper, I was able to put the receiver in the cab with me, and glance and see if the fridge had gotten to warm as I went down the road. Not sure this will work with the LQ, but it worked great with the camper.
Posted 2012-06-19 11:54 AM (#144954 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
Dometic had a recall on several of their fridges. They replaced my unit in the recall. It had something to do with the gas. You can google it and find which models were in the recall.
Certain DOMETIC 2-door refrigerators manufactured between April 1997 AND May 2003: with serial #’s:
001XXXXX THROUGH 052XXXXX; 101XXXXX THROUGH 152XXXXX; 201XXXXX THROUGH 252XXXXX; 301XXXXX THROUGH 319XXXXX; 713XXXXX THROUGH 752XXXXX; 801XXXXX THROUGH 852XXXXX; 901XXXXX THROUGH 952XXXXX;
New serial numbers have been added to the Dometic Recall for the above model numbers
320XXXXX THROUGH 352XXXXX; 401XXXXX THROUGH 452XXXXX; 501XXXXX THROUGH 552XXXXX; 601XXXXX THROUGH 639XXXXX;
These refrigerators were installed in certain recreational vehicles as original equipment and sold as aftermarket equipment. A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube which may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. This release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire. There are potentially 926877 units affected.
The vehicle manufacturers will notify owners of recreational vehicles that had the refrigerators installed as original equipment and Dometic will notify the owners of the aftermarket refrigerators. Dometic will install a secondary burner housing free of charge. Owners may contact Dometic at 888-446-5157
Customers may also contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV
What you should do! If your refrigerator qualifies for the recall, you can schedule an appointment with us for the repair. Until then your refrigerator must not be run on L.P. It is preferable that you do not use the fridge at all, but if you must, do so on electric and turn off the L.P. at the fridge.
The recall is absolutely free of charge and can be done while you wait!
Posted 2012-06-19 6:35 PM (#144964 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Canton, MI
Looks like I need to take it in for the recall. Thanks for your help everyone, good to know that I won't have to replace my fridge afterall, at least not at my cost!
Posted 2012-06-20 12:39 PM (#144986 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I use a small battery powered fan to help circulate the air in the fridge. It works really well and helps keep the temp relatively constant in the fridge.
Posted 2012-06-20 3:45 PM (#144994 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Elite Veteran
Posts: 800 Location: Tenn/Ala.
The Dometic fridge recall has to do with installing a deflector for the burner. It will not help it to cool any better. So don't be offended when the shop tells you that.
Posted 2012-06-20 4:00 PM (#144998 - in reply to #144926) Subject: RE: Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
I agree that was a recall re the deflector. The recall I posted states "A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube which may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution" Because of this, they replaced my unit. Dometic is very difficult to work with and only because I was using a good RV dealer did I get the problem corrected. Anyway, I posted for what it is worth.
Dometic fridge not working well on propane, works on AC
