Refrigerator at high altitude - R-pod Owners Forum

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lostagain

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Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
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Posts: 2595

Topic: Refrigerator at high altitude
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 6:57am

+1 to jato's post. We run on gas unless 110vac is available. The battery option is not even connected.

Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

jato

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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3325

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 6:32pm

We have camped quite a bit at elevations in excess of 7000 ft. Even at the visitor center at RMNP the elevation is 11,796 ft. , we had lunch there in our 177 and the fridge worked fine. The only time we aren't running propane are those few occasions where electricity is available, otherwise we run our fridge on propane probably 95% of the time and 100% of the time while traveling down the road. Our 177 is approaching year 8 and has over 25,000 miles on it. The only issues we have had is when a wasp or bee began building a nest near the orifice. Since putting a screen over the air flow openings, that problem has been totally eliminated. The other time is when the tank is changed out and you have to purge the air out of the line, but that takes only about a minute to do.

God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Andy

Groupie

Joined: 11 Feb 2018
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 5:44pm

That sounds like a reasonable method so I will keep that in mind. My TV does provide charging so I can keep it cold while traveling and then try to light it before I get to the final stopping point. I'll bring extra ice also just in case! Thanks for the thoughts.

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
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Posts: 1014

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 5:08pm

I've heard a bunch of responses now and and no failures.. And these are folks that camp at these attitudes often.

Something else seems to be going on. Consensus rolls back to clogged line.

Since it worked again later (even though lower altitude) you may have cleared the line.

With all this in mind,I'm going to run mind on propane before I leave to ensure the lines are clear. As I travel I'll be on battery, yet when stopped overnight, on propane.

Hey, it's a system that worked for me on our last run for 46 days through the Nor'East Maritimes.

The Sou'West is new to me. This thread has been very good for me to research.

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

furpod

Moderator Group - pHp

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:57pm

Having camped at 8-10K feet a few times.. why not just use a good cooler, and ice? Ice should last for weeks even in the summer. Heck I have been snowed on at altitude in August.

Ben Herman View Drop Down

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Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
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Posts: 356

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:51pm

We live at 4900 ft and regularly camp at 8000+, have never had an issue. Although we do light it before we leave home. Maybe once its running its ok but struggles to light when cold at altitude? (just grasping here)

john in idaho View Drop Down

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Joined: 04 Nov 2014
Location: Eagle Idaho
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Posts: 613

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:39pm

Back when I had a pickup camper years ago, I had to twist the propane tank around to get it in place. The repair guy at the RV place told me to never tip a propane tank on its side, because liquid may get into the out let and freeze, cutting off the flow when you turn the tank on. I don't know how true that is but I have always been careful. Could you have tipped your tank on its side after filling it??

Andy

Groupie

Joined: 11 Feb 2018
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:31pm

Thanks to all for the info. Here is a reply from Dometic today:

Thank you for contacting Dometic. The orifice behind the fridge that allows gas to pass through to get to the burner is only rated up to 5500 feet. There is no guarantee that your fridge will NOT work up that high. But if it does, it might/will struggle to stay lit, if it lights at all. There is no fix for that. We only offer one sized orifice.

Jon

CustomerSupportCenter

Phone (800)544-4881
customersupportcenter@dometic.com

Dometic North America

So it looks like this will be a hit and miss situation.

Wood River Pod View Drop Down

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Joined: 30 Sep 2016
Location: Wood River, ID
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 153

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 3:50pm

Greetings from Ketchum, Idaho, elevation 5,853 feet above sea level. We camp in our surrounding mountains with elevations well in excess of 6,000 ft. We have never had a problem with the gas option on the fridge at home or up in the mountains.
Thanks

Smith's in Hailey
Early 2017 179 HRE

Wood River Mods

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014

Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 2:47pm

1/2 dozen or so folks responsed on the other Rpod site I'm on. Folks have camped up to 10k without issue. The statement back is probably a clogged line. They also mentioned Spyder webs.

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

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lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Topic: Refrigerator at high altitude Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 6:57am
	+1 to jato's post. We run on gas unless 110vac is available. The battery option is not even connected.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3325	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 6:32pm
	We have camped quite a bit at elevations in excess of 7000 ft. Even at the visitor center at RMNP the elevation is 11,796 ft. , we had lunch there in our 177 and the fridge worked fine. The only time we aren't running propane are those few occasions where electricity is available, otherwise we run our fridge on propane probably 95% of the time and 100% of the time while traveling down the road. Our 177 is approaching year 8 and has over 25,000 miles on it. The only issues we have had is when a wasp or bee began building a nest near the orifice. Since putting a screen over the air flow openings, that problem has been totally eliminated. The other time is when the tank is changed out and you have to purge the air out of the line, but that takes only about a minute to do.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Andy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 11 Feb 2018 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 5:44pm
	That sounds like a reasonable method so I will keep that in mind. My TV does provide charging so I can keep it cold while traveling and then try to light it before I get to the final stopping point. I'll bring extra ice also just in case! Thanks for the thoughts.

Olddawgsrule Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 5:08pm
	I've heard a bunch of responses now and and no failures.. And these are folks that camp at these attitudes often. Something else seems to be going on. Consensus rolls back to clogged line. Since it worked again later (even though lower altitude) you may have cleared the line. With all this in mind,I'm going to run mind on propane before I leave to ensure the lines are clear. As I travel I'll be on battery, yet when stopped overnight, on propane. Hey, it's a system that worked for me on our last run for 46 days through the Nor'East Maritimes. The Sou'West is new to me. This thread has been very good for me to research.
	Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:57pm
	Having camped at 8-10K feet a few times.. why not just use a good cooler, and ice? Ice should last for weeks even in the summer. Heck I have been snowed on at altitude in August.

Ben Herman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 356	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:51pm
	We live at 4900 ft and regularly camp at 8000+, have never had an issue. Although we do light it before we leave home. Maybe once its running its ok but struggles to light when cold at altitude? (just grasping here)

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 613	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:39pm
	Back when I had a pickup camper years ago, I had to twist the propane tank around to get it in place. The repair guy at the RV place told me to never tip a propane tank on its side, because liquid may get into the out let and freeze, cutting off the flow when you turn the tank on. I don't know how true that is but I have always been careful. Could you have tipped your tank on its side after filling it??

Andy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 11 Feb 2018 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 4:31pm
	Thanks to all for the info. Here is a reply from Dometic today: Thank you for contacting Dometic. The orifice behind the fridge that allows gas to pass through to get to the burner is only rated up to 5500 feet. There is no guarantee that your fridge will NOT work up that high. But if it does, it might/will struggle to stay lit, if it lights at all. There is no fix for that. We only offer one sized orifice. Jon CustomerSupportCenter Phone (800)544-4881 customersupportcenter@dometic.com Dometic North America So it looks like this will be a hit and miss situation.

Wood River Pod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Sep 2016 Location: Wood River, ID Online Status: Offline Posts: 153	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 3:50pm
	Greetings from Ketchum, Idaho, elevation 5,853 feet above sea level. We camp in our surrounding mountains with elevations well in excess of 6,000 ft. We have never had a problem with the gas option on the fridge at home or up in the mountains. Thanks
	Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE Wood River Mods

Olddawgsrule Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014	Posted: 24 Aug 2018 at 2:47pm
	1/2 dozen or so folks responsed on the other Rpod site I'm on. Folks have camped up to 10k without issue. The statement back is probably a clogged line. They also mentioned Spyder webs.
	Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander