Refrigerator resetting in driveway
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8680
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 3:25am
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Topic: Refrigerator resetting in driveway
Posted By: bigcat
Subject: Refrigerator resetting in driveway
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 10:21am
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Hi all, I plugged our 179 into the house to get the fridge cool and batteries charged for our fist dry camp. I have the camco 30 amp dog bone adapter. I'm not sure when it happens, but at some point the refrigerator is getting reset--all indicator lights flashing, no beeps. It appears that the power is somehow getting tripped. Any ideas on how to remedy this? Thanks! ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Replies:
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 10:40am
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Quick update. the fridge was plugged in all night. Temp set to coldest setting. After opening to test the temp (not cold), that's when all the indicator lights start flashing. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 12:54pm
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The fridge takes a long time to cool.. days if empty. and then it doesn't have any reserve if you load it with warm stuff. Always have your contents precooled/frozen. What mode do you have the fridge on? If you are using a dog bone adapter, and the batteries are charging, you are using a lot of amps. Try turning the fridge all the way off, then back on, and reselecting the power source and temp. Make sure the breaker isn't tripped, the GFCI isn't tripped and the fridge is plugged in in that back. ------------- |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 1:51pm
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It's set to the "plug". The breaker isn't tripped. I'm not sure if it's plugged into GFCI in the back. How do I find that out?
Thanks for your help! ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 3:05pm
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There is no GFCI plug where the fridge plugs in on the back, outside. It's a single 120v plug that is probably wired into the GFCI outlet inside the POD. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 3:07pm
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How does it behave on propane? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Mojave1
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2016 at 5:21pm
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The fridge works by heating - either a flame or a heat strip (electricity). Maybe you're pulling too much current for the circuit (whatever you're plugged in to). I always run mine on propane. Seems like a more direct approach. In case you're not aware of how absorbtion refrigeration works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1W-uWvR9U |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 11:39am
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I've had the fridge running on propane for about 24 hours and the air inside is warmer than it was when I turned it on. I opened the maintenance cover on the side of the pod and the fridge is plugged into the single outlet. I don't see the "reset and test" buttons like GFCI outlets in my house. @Podster, any ideas where this "reset" GFCI plug would be? The indicator lights on the front of the fridge light up and I would assume that if the GFCI plug needed to be reset these lights wouldn't illuminate. Thank you! ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 12:06pm
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There is a GFCI outlet INSIDE the pod, the fridge is often on that circuit. The lights and controls on the fridge all run on 12v. So the status of the 120v has nothing to do with them. Press and hold the power button on the fridge until the whole thing shuts off.. 3-5 seconds. Unplug it from 120v in the back, and pull the fuse on the 12v side so it powers down completely, wait 5 minutes, replace fuse, plug in, press and hold the power button until it powers back up.. 3-5 seconds. Switch through modes to the one that looks like a plug. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 12:07pm
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The GCFI plug location would depend on your Pod. Since you have a 179 like us, it is the outlet on the kitchen counter located closest to the refrigerator.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 12:36pm
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Thanks @furpod! I will give that a try this evening. Sorry for the dumb question, but is the 12v fuse you are referencing on the side of fridge, or is it in the main fuse panel? There is one marked as "appliances" in the main fuse panel. Also, the fridge isn't cooling on propane either. Will this help remedy that as well? I tested all of the 120v outlets while plugged in at home last night and they all worked so it doesn't appear that the circuit is tripped, but I'm totally new to this so I clearly don't understand how these pods are wired. I very much appreciated all of your help and insights! ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 3:22pm
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If the issue is that it needs a reset, then yes. The fuse I am referring to is in the fuse panel. Your power distribution box has two sides, one is 120v, the other is 12v. The fridge can run on 12v, gas, or 120v. BUT no matter which mode it's in, 12v is what runs it's brain. Also, are you sure you have it on max cold? that is 5 lights or bars, not 1. Failure to cool on propane is often a need to purge the gas line. Light the stove top for a minute. ------------- |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 3:25pm
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Cool. I will give it a reset this evening and update this post. I purged the propane line so I'm hoping the reset fixes it. Thank you again for your help! Ty ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 3:56pm
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In the long run.. if we can't work through it.. it's still under warranty...
------------- |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 4:00pm
@furpod my thoughts exactly.  ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 4:08pm
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The dealership service dept says they are backed up 6 weeks. So if I can figure this out without them it's worth the time savings. Anyone know of good R-Pod service place in Salt Lake City, Utah? Thanks Ty ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 4:44pm
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If it doesn't get fixed with the reset.. make an appt, use a cooler. DON'T take it to the dealership until the end of the season..
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Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 5:21pm
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@furpod because I won't likely get it back in time to use it this season? ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 7:05pm
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@stephenh the GFCI outlet in the kitchen doesn't have a "reset test" button so I'm not sure how to reset it. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 7:23pm
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Someone may have put it in a different location in your pod. Check all of the 110V outlets. One of them will have the Reset and Test buttons. It could be near the door or on the outlet near between the dinette and bed, or up by the television. (I think I got all of them)
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2016 at 1:01pm
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Quick update. Resetting it didn't do the trick. The fridge still won't cool. So, it's time to schedule a service appointment. I appreciate everyone's advice and help troubleshooting. Looks like I just have a lemon fridge. Thanks again, Ty ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2016 at 11:07pm
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That is really strange. I had to replace a GCFI plug in my house recently. The plug said that it should be wired as the first in the circuit to two of the terminals and any other plugs on the circuit should be wired to the other set of terminals (downstream of the first plug). This was the way to protect the other outlets on the circuit. If the plug were installed later in the circuit, the plugs upstream of it would not be protected. Now I wonder if the plug is in the correct location. Unfortunately, I would need to see a wiring diagram for the R-Pod to see exactly which outlet is the first one in the circuit. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: bjk
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2016 at 12:02am
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StephenH, My 179 has the GCFI at the back by the heater as well. I recently was working on a mod to run 12V (I promise some day to post my pics), and was chasing the wires for the 120V. In at least my 179 (early 2016 like yours), they took the long way around. The bed outlet *is* the first outlet from the distribution center. Runs under the bath, then under the floor to the heater (and separately up to the TV). Then it makes the long run back to the kitchen from that outlet along the front of the slide back down to the fridge and to the two kitchen outlets. I discovered this chasing it in reverse. The kitchen outlet by the door is actually at the end of the line. Now the 12V takes the short route through the floor, under the entryway and back up to behind the distribution center. Go figure. ------------- 2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino" 2011 F-150 SLX |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2016 at 9:43am
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Easy enough to check which outlets are protected by the GCFI. Just trip the GCFI with the TEST button. Those outlets still hot are upstream and not protected. Those dead are downstream and protected.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2016 at 10:29am
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Charlie, Thanks. I'll check. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2016 at 12:06pm
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You guys! I found the GFCI outlet. It's by the furnace and the only place I didn't check for an outlet. Go figure. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: densmorema
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2016 at 5:47pm
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Fur pods right about the fridge needing 12v to run just like your lights,you might want to check your converter fuses which are the 40a fuses,also the converter breaker. ------------- Mike and Cherie Michigan 2015 R179 2016 silverado |
Posted By: flat6s
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2016 at 9:59pm
| Just got my new 180 back for repair of defective refrigerator eyebrow circuit board. This board runs the buttons on front of fridge. There is also another board on back of fridge. Because your fridge won't run on any power source, kinda points to one of those circuit boards being defective. |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2016 at 8:57am
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I dropped it off for service yesterday, and will update this when I get more info. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 12:05am
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Flat6s, same issue with the eyebrow panel. Looks like I need a new one. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 5:34pm
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Just heard from the service department... the fridge is also now leaking ammonia so a new fridge is on the way. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 5:35pm
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just heard from the service department... it's now leaking ammonia so a new fridge is on the way. ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 9:57pm
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That will keep it from cooling! ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 8:17pm
| I tested the Amp draw yesterday of RP171. Charger converter draws 3.04 amps on a 3/4 charge level battery and when the electric refer is turned on to ac it adds a extra amp. total 4,04 amps. |