Fridge works on Shore power but not gas/12VDC

[Leever2000]

I started a thread almost a year ago and lost track and anyways back with more information and maybe a little smarter but need to get the issue fixed.
Details/information -
a) fridge works on shore power
b) fridge barely cools the freezer with full tank of gas (propane) and fully charged battery
c) cleaned jet last weekend and tried again (still not cooling)
d) do not think flame is on long enough - Is there something that will cut the gas off before it gets to the proper operating temp?

What next?

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by Leever2000

I started a thread almost a year ago and lost track and anyways back with more information and maybe a little smarter but need to get the issue fixed.
Details/information -
a) fridge works on shore power
b) fridge barely cools the freezer with full tank of gas (propane) and fully charged battery
c) cleaned jet last weekend and tried again (still not cooling)
d) do not think flame is on long enough - Is there something that will cut the gas off before it gets to the proper operating temp?

What next?

Do you hear it light when you disconnect?
If so, does it STAY lit for more than a few seconds?

Sounds like a bad thermal couple from what you describe.

[Leever2000]

Should I be able to see the flame? I heard it ignite and felt the warmth but really never see a flame. Is there a way to check the thermo couple? If it is a thermo couple how hard is it to replace?

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by Leever2000

Should I be able to see the flame? I heard it ignite and felt the warmth but really never see a flame. Is there a way to check the thermo couple? If it is a thermo couple how hard is it to replace?

I have actually never looked for it, but inside all my motorhomes and trailers I could hear the flame.
When you disconnect you should hear a clicking, then you can hear it light.
Then listen for that same sound for a few minutes, you still should be able to hear it.
It DOES stop when the fridge reaches the the correct temp.

[Leever2000]

Where is the thermo couple?

Is there a way to confirm it is the thermo couple?

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by Leever2000

Where is the thermo couple?

Is there a way to confirm it is the thermo couple?

When you take the cover off the outside of your unit, there is a "tube" so to speak.
At the beginning of that tube is a copper looking thing sticking up in there.
That is the thermal couple. As long at it gets hot when it lights, then all is good and everything works.
If it doesn't get hot or it is broken, the system thinks it didn't light and turns off the gas.

[markb5900]

Unless you know how to use an OHM meter there is really no way test it.
They are about 10 bucks at any supply store,
SO, I would start with that easy fix and replace it unless you know how to OHM it out to test it.

[Leever2000]

I have an ohm meter and do know how to use. What resistance reading should I expect to see and what am I checking?

[markb5900]

First , is the flame not staying lit?

[Leever2000]

I just started the fridge and the pilot is lit. Should the pilot stay lit for a certain amount of time?

[markb5900]

NO
It stays lit till the firdge is down to temp
If it stays lit more than about 1 minute, it is not the thermal couple.

[Leever2000]

The pilot is still lit. If it is not the thermo couple what is next?

[waiter21]

What model number frig do you have? How old is it?


There is no pilot light. The flame you see is the boiler flame, it doesn't take much.

Without knowing the model number its difficult to point you in the right direction.

[Leever2000]

The fridge is approximately 2.5 years old. The model number is - RM2351
What is the difference between a pilot light & boiler flame?

I expected to hear something but don't - just see a flame

[waiter21]

It has electronic ignition, there is no pilot light. If you listen carefully you might be able to hear a slight clicking sound of the igniter sparking when it lights the flame.

The flame you see is the normal flame used to heat the frig.

Clean the flame tube with a wire brush.

Clean the thermocouple with fine sandpaper and wire brush.

Clean the igniter rod with fine sandpaper.

You can download the service manual HERE

[Fiddler Dan]

Blow the gas orifice out with compressed air. A small spider web or dust will keep it from staying lit

[Leever2000]

Last weekend I did vacuum it out but did not use any sand paper. I will do that this weekend. When I lightly sand the thermo couple do need to remove and clean completely or can I sand just the portion that dangles over the flame and clean without removing? I am feeling confident that this will work.

How do I disconnect the CO2 sensor?
I've heard it really discharges the battery.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Leever2000

How do I disconnect the CO2 sensor?
I've heard it really discharges the battery.

Just get a battery disconnect switch. Much safer than disconnecting the CO monitor(not CO2).

[Leever2000]

While I am anxious to get to fixing my fridge

I have another question regarding my camper that was prewired with solar hookup by Zamp. I have solar panels that I have and use separately from the camper but can I hook my solar panels directly to the camper Zamp hookup? Meaning without using the controller?

Hook up my 2 batteries in parallel to double the Ah but not the voltage.

[Leever2000]

I was able to lightly sand the igniter but getting to the thermocouple is quite the task. Is there a more direct and easy way to remove the thermocouple to clean it?