I need HELP!!!: Another Dometic Frig not cooling on Propane

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Another Dometic Frig not cooling on Propane

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14930
Printed Date: 16 May 2024 at 4:35am
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Topic: Another Dometic Frig not cooling on Propane

Posted By: MoPod
Subject: Another Dometic Frig not cooling on Propane
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2021 at 6:48pm

Frig in 179 hasn't worked on propane in over a year that we know of. Today decided to try to troubleshoot. What we know:

- it works on 110v (as of last use in May)

- it works on 12v (as of last use in May)

- we have propane to stove and frig

- we have blue flame at lower right hand side of frig (will try to post photo)

- low pressure line hot to touch

- fins are not cold after 2-3 hours with flame on

- no beeping or warning lights on front of frig

- we have blown air through everything advised on internet and other posts

What is the next step?

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Bill & Nancy
2015 RPod 179
Previously 2010 RPod 176
2014 Explorer Sport

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2021 at 8:08pm

If you have a nice blue flame and it isn't cooling I can't think of a reason off the top of my head why it would still be working on 12V. The 12V heating element has the lowest outout of the three. I'd suggest checking that and 120Vac operation again.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2021 at 4:58pm

Well, overnight put on 110 and everything is good on the electric side. Didn't try 12v, since difficult to check after it's already cooled down. Leaving for a short "test" trip with 4 month old Gordon pup and two old dogs tomorrow, so further investigation is going to have to wait until later. I'll post if we discover a solution.

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Bill & Nancy
2015 RPod 179
Previously 2010 RPod 176
2014 Explorer Sport

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2021 at 7:18am

How long of a period of time are you giving to see if it indeed cools down? If you aren't adding ice or anything inside you will need a period of up to 24 hours to do so.

At this juncture the only thing that comes to mind (since you have a blue flame) is to take the black chimney pipe off the cooling stack. It is attached by a single phillips head screw. Carefully pull it up and attached is a strip of metal that is (for lack of a better term) swirly in design. It is shaped like this to aid in cooling. If there is soot or other debris attached to it, take a wire brush or other implement and clean it until it is shiny clean again. I have seen this happen on a couple fridges over the years, apparently the after effect of purchasing low quality propane. One I took apart and the whole strip of metal was completely encased in soot, looked like a cylinder. Cleaned all the soot off, and was back in business by the next day. Worth looking into.

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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."

Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2021 at 8:46am

JATO, we'll give that a try when we return home. Thanks.

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Bill & Nancy
2015 RPod 179
Previously 2010 RPod 176
2014 Explorer Sport