2014 182G Domestic Fridge Weak Flame

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Have had fridge propane issues since I've owned my R-pod.  Always due to a weak flame.  This year I had no flame so I started taking things apart.  In the past cleaning the office of the burner gas feed pipe cleared things up, but only briefly.  In disassembling I found a small obstruction exactly the size of the opening at the union near the fridge propane valve.  It was completely lodged which explains why it was not working at all.  In the past I suspect the act of releasing pressure allowed the plastic to fall into a position it was not obstructing the flow, which allowed it to temporarily start working well again.  I suspect there could have been a disgruntled employee at Forest River or at the supplier of the gas valve. Thoughts?
To make things worse, valve snapped when putting it back together and a new RM8501 costs $1800!

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
quirozson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2022 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote quirozson Report Post Quote Reply Topic: 2014 182G Domestic Fridge Weak Flame Posted: 12 Apr 2023 at 7:46pm
	Have had fridge propane issues since I've owned my R-pod. Always due to a weak flame. This year I had no flame so I started taking things apart. In the past cleaning the office of the burner gas feed pipe cleared things up, but only briefly. In disassembling I found a small obstruction exactly the size of the opening at the union near the fridge propane valve. It was completely lodged which explains why it was not working at all. In the past I suspect the act of releasing pressure allowed the plastic to fall into a position it was not obstructing the flow, which allowed it to temporarily start working well again. I suspect there could have been a disgruntled employee at Forest River or at the supplier of the gas valve. Thoughts? To make things worse, valve snapped when putting it back together and a new RM8501 costs $1800!

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2023 at 8:38pm
	I believe the "obstruction" was at one time a filter, but I don't have the refrigerator anymore. I changed mine to an AC/DC refrigerator when the electronics in ours failed. You could likely do likewise and convert to an AC/DC one for less than a new RM8501 and have better cooling. The down side is more limited boondocking since you would need either a generator or a good battery (preferably LiFePO4) bank to have enough power to run it for extended periods without shore power. As for the weak flame, the forum has many posts about the flame. It isn't supposed to be a blowtorch, just something that looks like pilot light.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS