Dometic refrigerator high altitude operation

[Grumpy7159]

I have a question for high altitude users of Dometic duel refrigerator. I camp at 8-9000 feet and my refrigerator will not fire on propane at that altitude. It works fine a home (4500 ft). Does anyone have a cure for this problem? I cannot run a generator 24-7 just for the frig. My last fifth wheel had a duel refrigerator that worked like a champ at altitude. My water heater may have the same problem. Both have electronic ignition. Thanks in advance

[SeaDog]

The electronic ignition is not affected by the altitude its the air gas mixture, you may have to get a high altitude kit that contains different size gas nozzles much like is done with home furnaces.

[Grumpy7159]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look for such a kit.

[USGILT]

Very interested in this as well. We have a 2016 Forest River 2504S Mini Lite. Just returned from 10 days in the Big Horn Mtns, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons with a similar issue. Thankfully our Yeti saved our trip otherwise it would have been a horrible disaster. Could not get the fridge to lite on gas the whole time we were in the mountains. It would attempt to light but would not stay lite. I took the trailer to the dealer and they cannot find anything wrong with the fridge using gas now that we are back in KS.

[USGILT]

Need to send a note off to Dometic tech support but I am doubtful on a solution. The OEM owners manual even states to switch to electric for elevations above 5,500 ft.

From the Dometic manual,

"OPERATING REFRIGERATOR AT HIGH
ALTITUDE
All gas appliances experience lowered efficiency (or rat- ing) at high altitude This is a direct result of lower atmos- pheric pressure and oxygen levels, and is not a defect of the refrigerator.
Reduced cooling performance and burner outage may occur at altitudes higher than 5500 feet above sea level (while operating on LP gas). Always operate refrigerator on electric power at altitudes higher than 5500 feet."

Contact info,

DOMETIC CORPORATION 2320 Industrial Parkway Elkhart, IN 46516 Phone: 574-294-2511
Fax: 574-389-3975 25

Memo to Dometic, there are hundreds of thousands r.v.'s running around over 5,500 feet! Frustrating to say the least.

Some have suggested that depending on the LP regulator you have it may be possible to adjust the propane pressure regulator to compensate for altitude using a manometer to around 13 inches of water column.