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Topic ClosedFridge On Propane - Again.

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shicks View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Location: Austin, TX
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Fridge On Propane - Again.
    Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 8:28pm
Thank you for your responses.   I'm still not getting the propane to cool the fridge.
1. I took apart the burner assembly and cleaned the orifice and the burner.
2. I took the cap off the flue, removed the twist baffle and cleaned inside with pipe cleaner (was clean).
3. Testing afterwards showed a better (bigger) blue flame but the coil piping still not affected.
4. I replaced the regulator with a new 2 stage regulator.

The flame  seems to look good, blue and full.  The flue (sheet metal enclosure) and the flue's tilted cap are hot.  The fridge coil piping is hot right where it comes out of the flue assembly but nowhere else.

Propane used to work perfectly.  It does work on 120vac.   And 12vdc ispresent and working (controls, gas solenoid working, etc.)

Anyone have a photo of what the flame should look like?

Anyone have any ideas what to try next? Thank you in advance.  Has me stressed out as I do a lot of boondocking!
RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3
Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 3:10pm
To answer your question, yes you should clean the flue. Owners have reported many times that it fixed a problem, even though some noticed only very slight debris, some found it full of wasps nests..
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JandL View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 2:51pm
Besides cleaning the orifice I also replaced my pressure regulator with a 2 stage. The flame I get at the burner is larger and the flue gets hot. Here is my write up

Dometic RM8501 refrigerator, my fix when on gas

here is a picture of my flame

JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline
2012 177
2 Paynes in a Pod
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shicks View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 2:28pm
I have (and love) my 2014 178.   Not so liking the Dometic RM8501 fridge.  Worked great first couple of years.  Now having trouble on propane.  A couple of weeks ago I cleaned out the burner and orifice, which got the burner going.    The fridge worked a weekend ago for 2 1/2 days boondocking.

This past 2 days the fridge wouldn't cool, even though propane running. 

To answer questions:
  • Fridge started out cold, was on 110vac before the trip.
  • 12vdc is present (controls are lit, redundantly verified with meter in back)
  • Propane is flowing: stove and hot water heater working.
  • Flame is blue and present in the burner.
  • Burner flue is warm to the touch, wouldn't say is "hot".
  • Tube parallel to the flue (coming out the top) is not warm (this is the problem).
  • Works with 110vac, tubing with fins gets warm and fridge works.
Is there something to clean in the burner's flue?

I found videos for cleaning the burner but not for anything with the flue.   

Any help well be sincerely appreciated.  :-)


RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3
Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end.
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