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02-07-2019, 09:23 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 26
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Fridge froze up in winter
We are living in our 5th wheel for the first time this winter. We have had extremely cold day and night temperatures, everything is ok except the fridge. It stopped working 2 days ago. We closed off the outside vents except the bottom one and put a light bulb in there for heat as advised by the RV dealership closest to us. Still won’t start.
Any info on what to do would be appreciated as it won’t be warming up for a while yet!
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02-07-2019, 09:34 AM
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#2
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,170
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Your profile picture shows a Georgetown but you mention you’re in a 5th wheel.
Is your fridge an absorption fridge or a residential?
If it’s absorption, it needs 12 volts and propane to work. Given how cold you say it is there, are you sure you still have lots of propane? Are all your other propane appliances working okay?
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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02-07-2019, 12:15 PM
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#3
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Junior Old Fart
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 156
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If your fridge is an absorption type, it uses heat to generate the cold inside.
If the temp outside is colder then what the heat source (12 vdc, 120 vac, or propane) can generate to keep the water and ammonia cycle running, the fridge stops working.
To solve this an extra source of heat is needed.
Do NOT!!! turn on more then one source of heat on the fridge.
The light bulb you mentioned is a good way to keep the compartment warmer for the fridge to operate.
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02-07-2019, 12:28 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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This may not be your issue (or may only be "part" of your issue): Some units have a Low Ambient Switch that turns on the inside light to create an artificial heat load when it's cold outside.
See bottom of page 18 of the attached manual.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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02-07-2019, 01:43 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 477
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Following this to see final solution. Please post when you find resolution.
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McCormickJim
2017 GT 31L5
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02-07-2019, 04:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 373
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Mine froze in Michigan at -18 degrees! Got to Florida and repair man said I needed a new fridge! $2100. I took my refrigerator out and laid it on its side and tapped the cooling lines with a screwdriver handle! Put it back in motorhome and works fine now! Sounds crazy but it worked for me! Saved $2100 bucks. Good luck! Gerry
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02-07-2019, 04:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hittheroadgeorge
We are living in our 5th wheel for the first time this winter. We have had extremely cold day and night temperatures, everything is ok except the fridge. It stopped working 2 days ago. We closed off the outside vents except the bottom one and put a light bulb in there for heat as advised by the RV dealership closest to us. Still won’t start.
Any info on what to do would be appreciated as it won’t be warming up for a while yet!
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Water line runs outside to ice maker. Shut it off inside where all the water comes into 5th wheeler
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02-11-2019, 10:36 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hittheroadgeorge
We are living in our 5th wheel for the first time this winter. We have had extremely cold day and night temperatures, everything is ok except the fridge. It stopped working 2 days ago. We closed off the outside vents except the bottom one and put a light bulb in there for heat as advised by the RV dealership closest to us. Still won’t start.
Any info on what to do would be appreciated as it won’t be warming up for a while yet!
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So we ended up getting the coils thawed out using a small heater and closing the vents, we will keep a light bulb in there until it warms up. It still wouldn’t start so the RV tech came today to “reboot “
All is good now!! He told us we should keep it on propane during the winter months. Live and learn!!!
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02-12-2019, 09:46 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 477
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1. Sorry you had this issue.
2. Very happy it is now resolved.
3. Thanks for sharing the issue and the resolution on this Forum. I have a new MUST DO for my own travels in cold weather, to keep the Frig on propane during cold weather.
__________________
McCormickJim
2017 GT 31L5
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02-12-2019, 10:13 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Apollo, PA
Posts: 588
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Be very careful when using a light bulb for a heater. They have been known to start fires.
__________________
2017 Rockwood 2703WS - Sold
2015 Keystone Sprinter 333FWFLS
2017 F250, 6.2 Gas, 3.73 Axle, 2902 lb Payload
If women don't find you handsome, at least they should find you handy!
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02-12-2019, 12:57 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McCormickJim
1. Sorry you had this issue.
2. Very happy it is now resolved.
3. Thanks for sharing the issue and the resolution on this Forum. I have a new MUST DO for my own travels in cold weather, to keep the Frig on propane during cold weather.
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X2
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin! 
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02-12-2019, 01:09 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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What make of fridge?
I know the Norcold have a ammonia heater at the bottom of the condenser to prevent this. They added this after the big recall and lawsuit after many fridges caught on fire. I know my former Bighorn had a 18 cut ft fridge and I found the actual thermistor that turns the heater on was not connected. This is a major issue and dangerous.
Brian
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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