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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on September 26, 2013, 09:04:25 pm

Title: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on September 26, 2013, 09:04:25 pm
Wise Ones!

Just drove into Canada this AM and the DW noticed the refrig was not on.  Turned it off, waited a minute, turned it back on, it auto switches to LP and then after about 45 seconds turns off.  Exactly as the book describes when the gas burner does not start.  Got to Thunder Bay, plugged in, refrig works fine on 110v. 

We will be gone for another 18 days or so, two more stops then home,  hookups where we stop so it is only a few hours with out LP function in between 110v.

Any suggestions for troubleshooting or fixing on the way?  I have no idea when the flue was last cleaned.  Probably needs to be done.  I would need a brush of appropriate size.

Thanks.  Sort of wish I was at GrandVention but the North Shore is outstanding at this time of year.

Roger
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: Michelle on September 26, 2013, 09:09:31 pm
Start with the easy stuff.

Got propane in the tank?
Main propane tank valve open?
Does the stove light and stay lit?
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: wolfe10 on September 26, 2013, 09:29:00 pm
Roger,

Very high likelihood that a "burner area tune-up" will fix it.  No special tools and zero parts needed.  Your refrigerator manual should have info-- if not, let us know the model and someone can likely give you a link to the easy procedure. 

Something as simple as a flake of rust can cause this.

Brett
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on September 26, 2013, 10:01:13 pm
Wow, Superheros!

Michelle, Yes, Yes, and Yes.  DW asked the same questions.  She too is a superhero.  I am an engineer and sometimes miss the painfully obvious.

Brett, It is an RM1282 Elite 2 Way AES model.  2001 U320.

Pulled the outside cover off an gave it serious looking at.  It didn't do much to help but at least I tried.  I hoped it is something pretty simple.  I'll try giving it a cleaning tomorrow.

Thanks.

Roger
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: Caflashbob on September 26, 2013, 10:40:53 pm
Wow, Superheros!

Michelle, Yes, Yes, and Yes.  DW asked the same questions.  She too is a superhero.  I am an engineer and sometimes miss the painfully obvious.

Brett, It is an RM1282 Elite 2 Way AES model.  2001 U320.

Pulled the outside cover off an gave it serious looking at.  It didn't do much to help but at least I tried.  I hoped it is something pretty simple.  I'll try giving it a cleaning tomorrow.

Thanks.

Roger

Fixed many on these including my own.  Remove the burner cover and clean the rust off the burner that has fallen down from the flue. 

Bob
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: geomm on September 27, 2013, 03:26:30 pm
Roger,

I agree with Bob.

I had the same symptoms (the clicking, timing-out, no-start). I removed the cover to gain access to the burner tube, and there were flakes of rust arranged like a perfect "tent" over the tube --- and as I gather from other owners, had fallen down from the walls of the flue -- over time.

I removed them, cleaned the area up, and the Dometic fired-up right away and burned just fine.
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not startingAq on LP
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on September 27, 2013, 03:47:26 pm
Th e same issue I had a few years ago, was the burner had a build up (stalagmite), simply broke it off, went back to working great until it was replaced with the Samsung houe type.
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on September 27, 2013, 05:43:42 pm
Howdy, 

I was waiting for Dave to remind me of the fabulous Samsung residential replacement option.  I took off the appropriate covers.  The was a small dusting of soot etc below the burner from the flue.  I cleaned that up and blew off the burner itself, put the covers back on, switched to LP and it is back to working just fine.  Thanks for the help.  When I opened everything up I was surprised at how small the burner actually is.  No wonder just a bit of crud from the flue can wreak havoc.  Time to get the flue cleaned.

We did spend quite a bit of time looking at French three door style refrigerators in the last month or so.  Our 13 yr old one in the house is making a fair amount more noise than it used to.  Still works fine but we want to know what we are going to get when those last gasps come.  Samsung came out on top for us based on features and usability.  It would fit nicely in the coach too with only some lower cabinet modifications.  Another nice upgrade when the time comes.

Thanks again,

Roger
Title: Re: Dometic Refrig not starting on LP
Post by: Dave Head on October 01, 2013, 09:00:37 am
We installed their 4 door model in the house a few months back. Absolutely love it. Make sure you get a 'twin cooling' model.