Fridge question

kinma13 · 05-29-2015, 11:09 AM

I powered the main in and turned the fridge on. It cooled over night and I loaded it now I unplug the AC power to connect the pup to the TV. When I get to the cg and plug back into AC the fridge says powers on in AC mode but the check light I'd on. Does anyone know if the fridge switches to DC then back to AC? My TV dies have a power to charge the battery.

TURBS · 05-29-2015, 11:12 AM

Was switch on auto?
If so was propane tanks turned off?
Is this a 2 or 3 way fridge?
Do u have battery disconnect? Was it off?
Need more info here

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

deartruc · 05-29-2015, 11:16 AM

Most likely tried switching over to gas but the lines weren't purged so the flame never lit. That's why the fault light was on.

kinma13 · 05-29-2015, 11:27 AM

Ty turbs. Yeah I just read the other fridge problem and read the manual. I only drive about 3 hrs so the fridge is just off for that time. I don't trust the propane while moving. Maybe I'll have to crawl in the pup and manually switch it to DC on long trips. Ty

kinma13 · 05-29-2015, 11:29 AM

Turbs is a 3 way, no propane is off, auto I'd on yes battery is connected. I though it would check for AC, then propane then if no AC or PROPANE it would go to DC but guess not.

f5moab · 05-29-2015, 01:28 PM

I have a 3-way, and have no Auto switch. Do the new ones come with an auto mode?

As for DC, if possible, can you plug into AC a day prior to leaving? If so, plug in and turn on the AC mode, then day of travel, turn off AC and turn on DC for the trip. My experience is propane is the best to cool, AC is next and DC is terrible to cool. But I usually cool down the fridge the day before on AC, then travel on DC. DC seems to do a decent job of keeping it cool.

GalsofEscape · 05-29-2015, 06:28 PM

Hi kinma,
I usually turn off the auto and then manually switch to dc. For me the auto switch seems to flip the fridge between ac and propane, but never seems to seek dc, so I don't even try anymore.

kinma13 · 05-29-2015, 10:55 PM

My problem is you can't turn the DC on after the pup is closed. We close it about 3 hrs b4 going today so that would be a long time on DC

GalsofEscape · 05-30-2015, 06:25 AM

Yes, with your model that would be an issue. Access to the fridge when closed up was one of the deciding factors when we were pup shopping. Even without the switching issue, I like being able to load up the fridge without having to open the pup. Or even to check the fridge when we make stops. Since you are hooked up to shore power to cool the fridge down, why not switch to DC as you close up and leave the shore power hooked up until just before you pull out. The fridge should stay on through the converter. Then when you hook up to tow, disconnect the shore power and the fridge will then stay on battery for the tow.

kinma13 · 05-30-2015, 06:54 AM

I'll try that when on the way home. Thank you. I thought if a put it on DC the plugged in it would auto switch again. Maybe I'll mess with it today

GalsofEscape · 05-30-2015, 06:56 AM

Turn off the auto and should not switch.

kinma13 · 05-30-2015, 06:45 PM

Thank you. Can't try it now we are out camping but we have to put the pup up when we get home due to rain and I can try it then. Thank you

kinma13 · 05-31-2015, 07:51 PM

@ galore scape. What you suggested worked great. I turned the auto off and set to DC then unplugged and replied it in when I got home and it was still on DC without a check light. Thank you very much.

GalsofEscape · 05-31-2015, 07:53 PM

Glad it worked and hope you had a great camping trip thus weekend.

kinma13 · 06-01-2015, 07:26 AM

Well let's just say it was good because we were camping but it rained from Saturday around 3pm till Sunday around noon. Gist of wind every now n then. The pup it good though other then the cheap domestic awning rail where the leg attaches got a little bent. But no big deal still had fun with friends and the kiddo even loved it so that's a plus.

GalsofEscape · 06-01-2015, 07:44 AM

But as they say, camping in the rain still beats any day at work, but putting away a wet camper sucks. One leg of my dometic awning leg broke off completely after the second time it blew over the top of the camper. I now tie the leg in place with parachute cord as the cost to replace that section is [emoji33].

vinmaker · 06-01-2015, 08:01 AM

Interesting. I too thought it automatically switched from AC - to propane - to DC. In that order. I never realized it did not actually go to DC on auto mode. I do remember pulling into a site once and the fridge was not cold. That might have been why.

Kinma. What I usually do is have to cycle the fridge a few times to get the propane to work. I understand you do not like driving with the propane on. But if you do decide to try the propane option, this is what I do.

I open up the fridge vent door on the outside.
Unplug the unit from shore power and you will hear the pilot spark clicking.
I look to see if they propane ignites. ( most likely not)
I plug it back in and wait for it to switch over to A/C.
I unplug and look for the propane to ignite.
Repeat until you see the propane flame.

It can take 3-4 times normally for the propane to make its way to the fridge unit. A bit of a pain, but the whole reason I plug the unit in a couple days before leaving is to pre-chill the fridge. It would be a total waste of electricity if I just allowed the fridge to warm right up again.

Vin.

kinma13 · 06-01-2015, 08:16 AM

Galsofescape I tie it down every time just nor to tight. I had it go up n over the top once last year. Thank god no damage. I've heard that the poles can puncher the top so that would suck.

**Flybob** · 06-01-2015, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinma13

@ galore scape. What you suggested worked great. I turned the auto off and set to DC then unplugged and replied it in when I got home and it was still on DC without a check light. Thank you very much.

Be careful using DC to power fridge. If it is left for any length of time, it will kill the battery. I have seen instances where it will also kill the TV battery. Some TV manufacturers have a relay that disconnects the 12V supply tot he Bargman when the vehicle is not running. If the fridge is full and cold, it should be OK for a few hour trip not running. The key word is full. There is very little in an empty RV fridge to absorb heat so it can heat up fast. Freeze a few water bottles and add them before final closing. They will help keep things cold and you can use them once they thaw.

GalsofEscape · 06-01-2015, 08:22 AM

I tied it down after the first time, but the second time it managed somehow to break out of the traces lol. I now run a cord through the center piece and tie to the picnic table and tie down each of the legs- it ain't going anywhere now. And with bright pink cord lol

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