dometic start up

Wildwood1 · 04-13-2011, 04:09 PM

sometimes my fridge (dometic) doesnt want to start when i switch to propane! i dont know if it is a coincidence or not but if i preheat the thermo coupler tip (outside behind fridge access door) with a match it seems to start fine. if i dont preheat i can hear the fridge trying to ignite and after a few attempts it stops and the "check" light comes on.
is there anything that i can check or maintain to get it to start better, other than bringing it to the rv money man

scubieman · 04-13-2011, 05:04 PM

I think you can replace them. Attempt that maybe.

Wildwood1 · 04-13-2011, 05:16 PM

maybe that would be the first thing i should replace - it probably isnt that expensive ( who we kidding

) i didnt mention before but sometimes it does start on its own but more often than not i have to persuade it to cooperate.i'll get a price on the thermocoupler and start from there!!

grhodes50 · 04-13-2011, 05:17 PM

If you haven't ran any gas appliances there may be air in the line. It could take a few attempts to get all the air out. You can use the range to get the air out. Once it lights up the rest (water heater, furnance & refrig) should work as well.
I had to do this with the tt's I previously owned. The trailer I have now is the only one that seems to hold gas in the line between trips.
Not sure if this is what you are experiencing, but I hope this helps.

scubieman · 04-13-2011, 05:18 PM

Actually on second thought it could be something else. I know most fridges when they start up there is somethign to make the pilot hot before trully turning on to start doing it's just. It could be the pilot or the electric pilot starter. I would have somone switch it on and watch and possiblity get a better idea before replaced anything. I know if the pilot does not get hot enough it will not start a flame.

prof_fate · 04-13-2011, 06:54 PM

We have a gas fireplace (not an expensive one) and one fall it would not start up - the pilot would not stay lit and I figured it was a bad thermocouple. A bit of googling looking for service/parts turned up an interesting tidbit - soot / carbon builds up on the thermocouple and acts like insulation so it never gets hot enough. A bit of cleaning with some fine sandpaper and it works like new.

May not be your issue, but it's a no cost solution to try. Could be the match is hotter or burns off just enough soot for it to work.

sherdep · 04-13-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof_fate

soot / carbon builds up on the thermocouple and acts like insulation so it never gets hot enough. A bit of cleaning with some fine sandpaper and it works like new.

we must be on the same page - thats what i was thinking -

**Herk7769** · 04-13-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildwood1

sometimes my fridge (dometic) doesnt want to start when i switch to propane! i dont know if it is a coincidence or not but if i preheat the thermo coupler tip (outside behind fridge access door) with a match it seems to start fine. if i dont preheat i can hear the fridge trying to ignite and after a few attempts it stops and the "check" light comes on.
is there anything that i can check or maintain to get it to start better, other than bringing it to the rv money man

All right, here is where knowing what model and year your camper is will help a lot. (Shameless plug for putting such info in your signature)

There was a huge recall of Dometic Refrigerators that added stack shields. If your fridge is in the serial number block, the lack of covers could cause pilot blowout in windy conditions.

sherdep · 04-13-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

All right, here is where knowing what model and year your camper is will help a lot. (Shameless plug for putting such info in your signature).

can always laugh at some of your posts Lou

BTW keep up the good work

Wildwood1 · 04-13-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

All right, here is where knowing what model and year your camper is will help a lot. (Shameless plug for putting such info in your signature)

There was a huge recall of Dometic Refrigerators that added stack shields. If your fridge is in the serial number block, the lack of covers could cause pilot blowout in windy conditions.

my signature now has it

!!!! however i dont think the wind is the issue because i start it up at home (no wind at all) before we head out . once its going it works really well.

**Herk7769** · 04-14-2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildwood1

my signature now has it

!!!! however i dont think the wind is the issue because i start it up at home (no wind at all) before we head out . once its going it works really well.

Have you checked your fridge for the recall?
Official Dometic Recall - DometicUSA

It has been expanded and your year group is in the recall range.
The repair is free. (Who knows, they might also fix your problem as a bonus).

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