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Old 09-17-2014, 08:11 PM   #1
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Dometic Refrigerator not getting cold...

This will be our 3rd time taking out our 291FBXL and the refrigerator is not getting cold. I have it plugged in, and do NOT have the propane turned on.

The "check" indicator which is for GAS mode only is illuminated?!?!? I have turned the unit off, then back on, a few times, but the light keeps coming on... Any ideas???

What is the rule of thumb for getting these fridges cold for your trip? Use auto/gas mode first to get it cold or what? I'm frustrated as heck right now... ugh
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:14 PM   #2
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Guess I've always used auto, so maybe give that or gas a shot. That'd be the first thing I'd try. If it cools fine on gas, it could be bad electric heating elements.
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:23 PM   #3
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Lloydg, Even if I'm just using Electric only and not propane?
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:24 PM   #4
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make sure that you are sitting fairly level, also make sure that your 12V battery switch is turned on. The fridge works on 12 V too
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djkoester2 View Post
Lloydg, Even if I'm just using Electric only and not propane?
I'm tired and didn't read your post correctly. I deleted my post, but you caught me too fast.
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:36 PM   #6
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SYE, I have it plugged in and it is fairly level. In reading the manual, it states the "check" light will only illuminate in gas mode only... Maybe my 110v current isn't enough for it? It got cold before the last trip while plugged in though. I don't get it..
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:39 PM   #7
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Lloydg, I turned on gas and did that anyway. Lol
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Old 09-18-2014, 10:26 AM   #8
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The RV absorption fridge is a lot slower than a domestic compressor-based fridge. When I started mine for the first time after bringing it home, it was even slower than the one in my previous TT - I think it was about an hour before any significant reduction in temperature even in the freezer. It took about 5 hours before the fridge started to show much cooling. However, by the next day it was going great.

If you had the propane off at the tank, you will not get it to run on gas on the first startup attempt. The fridge uses such a low flame (barely more than a pilot light) that it takes a long time for the propane from the tank to push out all the air from the lines through the little fridge burner. Propane is heavier than air and your fridge burner is likely higher than the tank which means that it has to completely purge the air before the fridge will have a burnable mixture.

You can somewhat help the process by turning on a range burner (probably pretty near the fridge) and cranking the igniter until you get a solid flame. Even at that, it took me five startup attempts to get the fridge to run on propane.

Same deal with the water heater... I usually have to do at least a half-dozen start attempts after turning on the bottles after a few weeks before I'll get it to light reliably.
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Old 09-18-2014, 10:35 AM   #9
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I would disconnect the battery for a few minutes, even if I had a battery off switch just to reset the controller in the fridge. Easy to do, takes a few minutes. I have done this in the past when my fridge would not turn on and it has resolved the problem
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Old 09-18-2014, 11:14 AM   #10
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Dave, right at the battery terminal or just shut off the main breaker and reset it?
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Old 09-18-2014, 11:37 AM   #11
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Just to be sure I would do it at the battery, than we know it is a complete NO POWER situation. Let it stay unconnected for a few minutes, reconnect and give that a shot.

Another way to remove power from the fridge is to disconnect the power at the fridge controller if you know how to do that. I have also heard of ways to reset by shorting points on the control board, but I am not confident enough to do that without assistance. You can search on the web or call the Manu. and see what they say. Always safe to do that.

Try the battery first or if the battery has a fuse pull it. Easiest to try.

Good luck
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Old 09-18-2014, 02:14 PM   #12
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I have never used propane to run my refridge and I have the same make. I start it the night before we leave and by morning it is cold. Good Luck
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Old 09-18-2014, 02:55 PM   #13
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The first time I went out in our new Avenger, the fridge would not work on electric but worked fine on gas. Was rooting around on the backside of the fridge, took both vents off to find the fridge was not plugged into the 120v outlet from factory or at the dealership.
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Old 09-18-2014, 09:33 PM   #14
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I got to the campsite, and after running it on propane to start and get here, it.now seems to be running on the 30 amp service fine... Tempermental... lol
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Old 09-18-2014, 10:00 PM   #15
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That's great.
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