Dometic RM8501 refrigerator, my fix when on gas |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Topic: Dometic RM8501 refrigerator, my fix when on gas Posted: 04 Oct 2017 at 9:14am |
I believe my regulator got fouled and the contamination moved to fridge burner. Once it became apparent, I was frequently cleaning the burner and each time the fridge would return to normal for a while. Then I would have to repeat the process. When I finally decided to replace the regulator, I did find oily goop in the regulator and line from tank to front of pod. I'm really not sure when or where the contamination came from. Not even sure if any contamination is considered "normal". When I did replace the regulator I flushed the rubber hoses with denatured alcohol. For grins, I flushed the old regulator and noted some pretty cloudy looking stuff coming out. Perhaps I got an overfilled tank somewhere that allowed liquid propane into lines? Perhaps I just got a contaminated tank somewhere? Dunno. I do know that (as of this writing) my fridge seems to be working fine now after a couple of weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if the problem recurs because I did not flush or replace all lines to fridge, but for now it's definitely better than it was. Just as a point of reference, I have been turning the fridge on (at home) every two or three days (mid 70's ambient) - four lights. Temperature drops quickly and within 4-5 hours freezer is 6-10 degrees and fridge 34-36. fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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pgoelz
Groupie Joined: 22 Jul 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70 |
Posted: 04 Oct 2017 at 8:14am |
So after reading up on the subject of "oil" contamination in propane lines I am still left puzzled. I have read completely contradictory explanations and solutions.
Best I can determine is that SOMETHING ends up in the propane tank. It SHOULD stay in the tank because all that should be coming out of the tank is vaporized propane. However, if the tank is contaminated AND relatively full AND is in use while driving, some of that contamination can end up in the lines and regulator as the liquid sloshes around. It can then foul the regulator and/or the refer burner orifice. An open question is... if the burner orifice did get fouled like mine did, can I expect it to recur since whatever contamination got into the lines is still there and migrating towards the burner? Is it possible that this NEVER happened to our 15 year old pop-up camper because we never ran the fridge while driving (it owuld not stay lit)? Fortunately, it is fairly easy to clean the refer burner orifice and the regulator can be checked by observing the stove burner flame height. Mostly curious..... Paul
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M0tl3y
Groupie Joined: 21 Sep 2014 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 61 |
Posted: 02 Oct 2017 at 2:05pm |
I'll second the door seal issue. I glued magnets along my door to hold it more firmly against the seal. The latch allowed a lot of movement (in my opinion) and especially during travel where items shift. I've noticed quite an improvement in cool-down time as well as overall colder foods. I put my sodas on the bottom and they're a lot colder when I drink them now, which I love. BTW, I started with one magnet-pair, but added two more since the door isn't perfectly flush with the frame and the extra magnets hold it more evenly across the seal. I also made sure and tighten the hinge screws as they had come slightly loose, allowing for more wiggle. You should be able to see a picture from this Google Photos Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/69XU3ZWHM3JZ9YaI3 |
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The 178 club
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JandL
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2014 Location: California Online Status: Offline Posts: 364 |
Posted: 01 Oct 2017 at 10:57am |
I forgot to add to what fwunder said about something coming out of the regulator. When I removed mine, I placed it on my tailgate of my truck and it was there while I installed the new regulator on the trailer. When I was finished and putting stuff away I noticed something had flowed out of the old regulator and coated a small area of the tailgate. My tailgate is black so I don't know the color of what ever it was that flowed out. I had to use alcohol to clean it off the tailgate. So something was in my regulator also.
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JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
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Happy Tripping
Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 473 |
Posted: 01 Oct 2017 at 10:20am |
Thanks to all. Yep, I printed this earlier and will use it to work on it. The regulator replacement will be next if cleaning doesn't work.
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 8:38pm |
I'm down to 4/31. Interesting. When I took the Cavagna Group regulator off, I flushed it with denatured alcohol just out of curiosity. I got a lot of cloudy/somewhat dirty stuff out. My suspicion still remains that I got an overfilled tank of propane that contaminated the system - or some other contaminants.
fred P.S. I want to add again, my propane fridge problems only arose over the last year. Three years prior - no problem.
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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JandL
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2014 Location: California Online Status: Offline Posts: 364 |
Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 6:38pm |
The one that came on my trailer was a Cavagna Group single regulator and I have seen them on the internet for around $9. It work good for almost 5 years.
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JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
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GlueGuy
Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2631 |
Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 5:58pm |
I wonder how many of these refrigerator problems are due to a faulty regulator?
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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JandL
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2014 Location: California Online Status: Offline Posts: 364 |
Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 3:58pm |
When I replaced my regulator I could see a difference on the flame on the cook top
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JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 3:38pm |
Well, I'm not sure if I can claim victory yet, but today I replaced the stock regulator with a Camco regulator and the results are noticeable.
Last week in Acadia National Park we maintained 5 degrees freezer and 35-37 degrees while on shore power or 12 volt and four lights on the controls. I did give the burner assembly and jet a good soaking w/denatured alcohol and removed and cleaned the regulator-to-pod hose. I reassembled everything, checked for leaks, purged the system and fired up the fridge today. As I said, not claiming victory yet, but after three hours the freezer is already @ 11 degrees and fridge @ 43. That's a whole lot faster cool down than I had been getting, even after a cleanup. I'm using an Accurite Wireless Thermometer to monitor. I'm just gonna let it run a couple of days on propane and see if it might be fixed. fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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