Dometic RM8501 refrigerator, my fix when on gas

Thanks

Are the fans as originally installed supposed to run full time or are they on a thermostat?

Originally posted by pgoelz On the Rpods, the way the louvers are oriented produces a convoluted path for exhaust air and probably impedes passive air circulation.   I figured that since most of the places we camp have shore power, a small 120VAC fan plugged into the outlet in the refer enclosure should help.  However, I tried several mounting methods for a Whisper Fan (120VAC low velocity / very quiet muffin fan) and discovered that unless I fabricated some sort of soft mount, the "growl" from the fan motor could easily be heard inside the trailer and was rather annoying.  YMMV.   I wonder if simply directing the flue exhaust outside the enclosure (as opposed to just dumping it inside) would help, especially when running on gas?   Paul

I appreciate the suggestions. I have also thought that extending the flue outlet to dump the heat outside would be helpful. I'll have to see what it would take to make it work.

I am thinking of adding an exhaust fan or two at the upper vent before next summer. I think it will be helpful. It is likely that the screens to deter the mud daubers restrict the airflow enough to exacerbate the problem. If so, the fan(s) should help overcome it.
When we bought the R-Pod, it did have a mud-dauber nest in the flue of the refrigerator. We found that out on the first night out of our first cross-country trip a week after we brought it home in December. The dealer initially said it could have happened in our driveway. I said that was impossible because we only had it a week and that was after a couple of hard freezes and the wasps were not active. They ended up repairing the refrigerator after our first cross-country trip since they had to order parts. They cleared out the nest and replaced the igniter and thermocouple since the flames had shot backward from the burner and had burned the insulation on the wires. After that trip, I put screens on the refrigerator, furnace, and water heater openings. I have not had any further mud-dauber problems.

Originally posted by fwunder . . . 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

I tried flushing my regulator with denatured alcohol also and like you, got some nasty looking crud out of it. I took the lines loose from the regulator and refrigerator also and used my compressor to blow out the line from the refrigerator end. There was a puddle of some sort of oily looking liquid on my driveway when I looked. Since I get propane from various sources, I do not know where the liquid came from. After reconnecting all lines (and leak testing), I turned the refrigerator on. After it lit, I noticed that the flame sounds stronger although I can't really see much of a difference. I'll see how it goes.

We are planning a short trip to Holly Point campground at Falls Lake next week. I'll be able to see how it performs to a certain extent, but the weather is expected to be cool. I won't be able to tell how it will be in hot weather until next summer.