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08-09-2017, 03:04 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
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Fridge not cooling when on propane
I have a Real-Lite 1604 and love it! The only problem I am having is when running the fridge on propane, it only cools to about 55 degrees. When plugged into AC it cools to about 42 degrees. This becomes a problem when traveling long distances. I have two friends with Backpack editions having the same issue. Is this a known issue and is there a fix? Thanks!
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08-10-2017, 12:00 PM
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#2
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Head Rambler
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 8,706
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How old is the unit?
What fridge do you have?
Have you checked the propane line pressure? It should be 11" WC.
Have you checked the flue for soot deposits?
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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08-10-2017, 01:15 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
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New
My unit is a 2016 and my friends is a 2017. They are brand new and haven't been used that much. All other propane appliance work fine. The fridge works but it doesn't get as cold as when it's on AC.
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08-10-2017, 01:26 PM
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#4
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Head Rambler
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 8,706
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What's the make and model of the fridge?
I'd check the propane line pressure first.
Even though it isn't very old, the flue could still be sooted up. There should be a section detailing how to clean the flue baffle in the fridges service manual.
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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08-10-2017, 01:28 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
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I think it is a Domestic but will check tonight. It's a 3 way fridge. I will get make and model tonight. Thanks!
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08-11-2017, 06:19 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Henderson, KY
Posts: 104
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I had pretty much the same issue as you on my Clipper. I thought all the other propane stuff was working fine but the fridge just wasn't cooling on propane like it would on electric. Once I checked the propane pressure at the fridge and found it to be only 5 WC and replaced the regulator, I was amazed at how the other things I thought were ok were working much better. Everything lights much quicker now. The water heater doesnt cycle as long or nearly as often. Check your pressure. Dad always told me, don't think. Know. Thinking I know usually winds up biting me in the butt.
__________________
2014 Coachman Clipper 17FQ
2011 Ford Ranger 4X4
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08-11-2017, 06:25 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
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What should the pressure be? Thanks!
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08-11-2017, 08:27 PM
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#8
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Head Rambler
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 8,706
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Propane should be 11" of water column like I stated in post #2. Most real propane or RV dealers can check it for you if you're not familiar with how to do it.
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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08-11-2017, 08:49 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
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My Dometic had the same problem. I found that my pilot light housing was dirty and had cobwebs. After cleaning my fridge now stays at 38-40F and the freezer at 1-8F. I use an indoor/outdoor thermometer to monitor the fridge especially when traveling. I keep it the sensor in the freezer since I know if it is in range then so the fridge.
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08-11-2017, 09:53 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Washington, IL
Posts: 82
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I had a problem with my Dometic not being cold while traveling and called Dometic. They sent me a kit that I installed and on our recent trip to Colorado the fridge stayed around 38°-40°and everything in the freezer stayed frozen for the first time since we bought the camper 3 years ago. Ours is only a two way though not a three way. Might be worth a call to Dometic.
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08-11-2017, 09:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California
Posts: 108
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What was in the kit
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08-11-2017, 10:18 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Washington, IL
Posts: 82
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Three covers to partially block the outside cover and a formed plate to cover the pilot light. It was a very easy install and worked very well.
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08-11-2017, 10:44 PM
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#13
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psribbens
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 60
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Check the flame, clean the orifice
First trip out two years ago, fridge quit on propane.
Solution, tear off the flame guard, remove the orifice (10mm?) and inspect and clean said orifice--wasn't plugged, just obstructed. As I recall, lighter fluid on a tooth pick to clean it out. Worked till sold this summer...
Dealer suggested might be dirt in the lines from the install...
Good Luck and happy travels.
__________________
Forester Ford E450
2017 3011DS
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08-11-2017, 11:21 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 454
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When using propane make sure you are as level as possible.
__________________
2007 Rockwood UltraLite 2603
2006 F350 Lariat Crew Cab Super Duty 6.0 diesel 4X4
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08-12-2017, 06:04 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 3,368
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dea49
When using propane make sure you are as level as possible.
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That is true regardless of the heat source.
The most critical leveling is side to side on the reefer............so if it is mounted on a side wall, the fore/aft level of the camper is critical.
It is the tubing on the rear of the reefer, the cooling unit itself which has a very shallow slope and the fluid in the tubing must be able to travel from top to bottom. If it is off level for any length of time (even just a few hours) the fluid stops flowing and creates a stoppage in the corner bends. If this happens it CANNOT be fixed. The repair is a new cooling unit, they are not serviceable.
Not being level while traveling isnt a problem because the up and down movement over the road keeps the fluid moving.
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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08-20-2017, 02:51 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SO-CAL
Posts: 489
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Fridge not cooling
Have 2017 class c built in early 16. The fridge works on gas but with the generator on it seemed to get warm or just not work. Checked the outlet and its fine. Its a domedic 4 door. It was in for service for the icemaker and they said it was the water was off and they tested it. This was mike Thompson rv in fountain valley ca, where we bought it. They suck!!! Could not get the icemaker to work either.
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08-20-2017, 03:41 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Camano Island, Washington
Posts: 24,287
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philkaty
Have 2017 class c built in early 16. The fridge works on gas but with the generator on it seemed to get warm or just not work. Checked the outlet and its fine. Its a domedic 4 door. It was in for service for the icemaker and they said it was the water was off and they tested it. This was mike Thompson rv in fountain valley ca, where we bought it. They suck!!! Could not get the icemaker to work either.
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The OP has a 3-way fridge in his truck camper.
It is way smaller than traditional RV 2-way fridges.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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08-23-2017, 12:16 PM
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#18
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psribbens
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philkaty
Have 2017 class c built in early 16. The fridge works on gas but with the generator on it seemed to get warm or just not work. Checked the outlet and its fine. Its a domedic 4 door. It was in for service for the icemaker and they said it was the water was off and they tested it. This was mike Thompson rv in fountain valley ca, where we bought it. They suck!!! Could not get the icemaker to work either.
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The ammonia mixture is heated by flame (not enough to cool in my failed case) or electricity, measure between 4 and 5 amps on my unit when plugged into shore power, and the same power = volts x amps, should be provided by the generator. Does the unit work on shore power? if not, then there's likely a problem with the heater circuit, I don't really know, but replacing the heater may be factory service only...
I've had no good luck with domestic icemakers over the years, just saying;-)
__________________
Forester Ford E450
2017 3011DS
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08-30-2017, 12:22 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
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Fixed
It ended up being the pressure. It was at 6.2 from the factory instead of 11. Now the fridge cools like it is supposed. Customer service? You think they would check that at either the factory or dealer before they sell it.
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08-30-2017, 12:37 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Washington, IL
Posts: 82
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Thanks for sharing the fix. Glad it's working now.
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