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Topic: Dometic fridge gas problems (Read 524 times) previous topic - next topic

Dometic fridge gas problems

Getting ready to go to Kerrville next weekend and out checking things out. Since we got our new to us coach I don't think I have checked the operation of the fridge on gas. Today I did and there is an issue. The burner will light and burn for about 20-30 seconds then go out and the "check" light on the fridge comes on. I can turn it off and back on, the light will clear and the procedure will start over with the same results. The control board has been changed out at some point to one from dinosaur electronics.. any ideas, except the crazy ones, are greatly appreciated...


Also just curious, for those of you that don't full time and just go here and there, if your coach is stored plugged in do you leave the fridge running or do you turn it off with the doors open ??

Thanks
Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #1 –
Leave it off, doors open. Your burner may have an obstruction. Wasps, spiders etc. I would hire an rv tech to give it a check
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #2 –
Yes, do a burner area tune up.  No parts needed and no special tools.

Causes of your symptoms include (and are corrected by abov):

Carbon build up on the flame sensor/ignitor.

Flame sensor/ignitior not centered over flame.

Rust or dirt in the burner tube causing too small a flame to signal the flame sensor/ignitor and through it the PC board that there IS a flame and to leave the gas valve open.

Spec of dirt in the propane jet giving same results

All the above addressed with the burner area tune-up.

Potential separate issue-- low propane pressure resulting in small flame.  If regulator is over 10 years old, probably best to just replace it-- under $25.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yes, do a burner area tune up.  No parts needed and no special tools.

Causes of your symptoms include (and are corrected by abov):

Carbon build up on the flame sensor/ignitor.

Flame sensor/ignitior not centered over flame.

Rust or dirt in the burner tube causing too small a flame to signal the flame sensor/ignitor and through it the PC board that there IS a flame and to leave the gas valve open.

Spec of dirt in the propane jet giving same results

All the above addressed with the burner area tune-up.

Potential separate issue-- low propane pressure resulting in small flame.  If regulator is over 10 years old, probably best to just replace it-- under $25.
I'll pull and clean in the am, no issues with flame, it looked good and not small
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #4 –
I like to have ice in my yeti while traveling  ;D
2000 Foretravel U320 4210 CAI (Formerly Gary Omel's coach)
Build #6189
previous: 2003 Foretravel U320 4020 AGDS

2015 Suburban
2007 Wrangler

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #5 –
Keith,

While you are around the back of the fridge cleaning the burner take the fridge ground wire loose and give it a cleaning.  Do you know if the burner stack has had the swirler removed and the stack cleaned?  If not you have to get the swirler out from the top side. If the fridge is equipped with a ARP sensor it could be seeing a high temp in the stack but this usually takes more than 30 seconds.

Runs 24/7

Mike

Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #6 –
Will you be running the generator for air conditioning?  That'll at least work until you can get it going again on gas.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #7 –
You do NOT need to pull the refrigerator to do the burner area tune-up.

It is done through the outside access door. Hopefully, your access door is aligned with your burner area. If not, you may need a really short screwdriver to do it.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #8 –
Your problem is the thermocoupler not sensing a flame.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Twig –
Your problem is the thermocoupler not sensing a flame.

Agree.  But lots of causes-- many cumulative. If flame a little small because of burner tube dirt/rust and carbon on ignitor/thermocouple from running rich (same amount of propane, less air) and perhaps ignitor/thermocouple a little mis aligned, etc, etc.

Said another way, man not be one big issue, but several small ones, all fixed with a burner area tune-up.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #10 –
SO GLAD my 110V counter depth FISHER PAYKEL has no such problems  :D  ^.^d  b^.^d
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #11 –
Answer you second question Keith. For years I left my fridge off with the door open.. I started having a not want to light on propane after it hadn't been used in months.. Seems these units do better when being used so I leave mine on 24 7 1 week on electric and a week on propane.. Been running a year and no issue.. I wouldn't want to be without my propane even though that wasn't a question.. Seems to always come up anyway.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Dometic fridge gas problems

Reply #12 –
Yes, if you store with shore power, AND are in a humid area, leaving the refrigerator on 24/7 reduces the risk of rust, as the temperature of all parts in the back of the refrigerator are always well above the dew point.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020