Absorption Fridge not Cooling/Freezing with Propane On

[thepeddler]

We have a 2017 Coachmen Freelander 21RS motorhome. Propane would not cool/freeze the frig after checking multiple times. Had the frig set on propane.
The propane would light the range (the first thing we did to make sure propane was flowing); the furnace also lit when out camping that night. Frig worked when plugged into shore power also. Would appreciate any help. Thanks Pat K

[Brandoni]

Sorry if this is an obvious question.
You don't mention a pilot flame for the refrigerator.
Is the pilot flame going??
If not first ensure that 12V and 120V switches are turned off.
Turn the propane select knob to ON. Depress/press the knob down.
This will start the propane flow. If clicking is heard this is the piezo sparker trying to light the propane pilot. If no clicking is heard then light the pilot with a BBQ lighter. Continue holding the knob in for about 15 seconds. When you release the knob the pilot should remain lit. If it doesn't relight the pilot and hold another 15 seconds. (Pressing the propane knob IN to begin pilot lighting sequence is a safety sequence used to turn off the propane if the pilot light gets extinguished)

After the pilot is going the refrigerator should begin getting cooler.
Please note the trailer/RV should be be relatively level for good operation of the refrigerator.
I can just see the pilot going on my refrigerator. Faint blue light thru a tiny gap in the chimney assembly. Very easy to miss . . . The chimney will get hot (don't burn yourself

[thepeddler]

Originally Posted by Brandoni

Sorry if this is an obvious question.
You don't mention a pilot flame for the refrigerator.
Is the pilot flame going??
If not first ensure that 12V and 120V switches are turned off.
Turn the propane select knob to ON. Depress/press the knob down.
This will start the propane flow. If clicking is heard this is the piezo sparker trying to light the propane pilot. If no clicking is heard then light the pilot with a BBQ lighter. Continue holding the knob in for about 15 seconds. When you release the knob the pilot should remain lit. If it doesn't relight the pilot and hold another 15 seconds. (Pressing the propane knob IN to begin pilot lighting sequence is a safety sequence used to turn off the propane if the pilot light gets extinguished)

After the pilot is going the refrigerator should begin getting cooler.
Please note the trailer/RV should be be relatively level for good operation of the refrigerator.
I can just see the pilot going on my refrigerator. Faint blue light thru a tiny gap in the chimney assembly. Very easy to miss . . . The chimney will get hot (don't burn yourself

Brandoni, I just turned on the propane hoping to get it to work. Your response is right on. I just opened the propane and didn't turn the battery disconnect on. This should give me the 12V and the 120V RIGHT. What happened is my 30 to 15 amp dog bone wouldn't cool/freeze the unit when plugged into the garage plug. (Borrowed daughter's dog bone and the unit worked). So I went to the propane and not thinking about power to activate the pilot. We normally turn the propane on for the fridge with the battery disconnect on when leaving to go to the campsite to keep the unit cooled till we plug in at the campsite pedestal. Will try the new dog bone next week to cool the frig. Hope this all makes sense to you. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE ABOVE COULD BE THE CAUSE OF NO PROPANE. Appreciate your quick response. Pat K

[Brandoni]

Yes. . . Very much so. .. .
Also


DO NOT have both 12V and 120V on at the same time.Only one on at a time . . ; )


When running propane turn off 12V and 120V before lighting the pilot flame.

Cheers and glad you're on your way!!

[thepeddler]

Thanks again for your fast response

[Brandoni]

Welcome. . .

[jimmoore13]

Glad it's working.

Tips for the future:

The fridge has a relatively tiny burner, so it doesn't draw much propane. Always light the large appliances after running out of propane: Range, Furnace, Hot Water - in that order. Why? The fridge may not be "patient" enough to ignite before the safety sensors time out. Sometimes the propane plumbing is starved for fuel, and the big appliances draw enough to get a flame going. Then try to light the fridge.

Next, spiders and such love burner tubes. If everything else is working, check and clean the burner tube on your fridge.

Here's how

.

[Ckeveryday]

Thanks Brandoni. This was a good starting point for me, but my pilot light (2005 Rockwood Premier PUP) still does not light. The oven burners do. Any suggestions on next steps.
Thanks
CK

[Ckeveryday]

Just watched the You tube on Ernie cleaning the burner tube. Unfortunately my tube is behind a shield that appears to riveted, so I cannot get to burner tube to blow it out (without some destruction). Any suggestions.
CK
The previous owner stated that the fridge worked very poorly. So maybe it did not work at all.

[Brandoni]

This may be an oversight . . .
When you turn on the propane for the frig are you depressing (pressing the rotating know down (inwards)) ?? The knob needs depressing about 15 seconds . . . (Sorry if this is a repeat. . . I'm on my phone, remote camping, and the phone's always a battle in itself for me . . . @@ ; )
After that you'll need a tech person to crack a threaded connection and see if propane can flow/bleed thru to the appliance . . .
Good luck with getting it running . . .