I need HELP!!!: Running fridge on propane

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Running fridge on propane

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14438
Printed Date: 09 May 2024 at 6:56pm
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Topic: Running fridge on propane

Posted By: pedwards2932
Subject: Running fridge on propane
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:18pm

I have never run my fridge on propane as I have always used a campground with hookup and i run on 12 volt on the highway. We did a night over at a Love's truck stop so I was going to run it on propane. When I switched to propane the button started flashing as well as a triangle warning light on right. I shut it down and tried again and same issue I pushed the triangle button and the gas button appeared to hold on with no flashing. I went out and pulled the lower vent panel to the fridge and I didn't see any lit flame.....so I just shut the fridge down for the night. It is a 3 way Dometic fridge on a r189/. Should you be able to see a flame?

Replies:

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:30pm

Yes, the lower right side of your fridge is the combustion area, you should be able to see and hear the flame. When pushing the button for propane, did you hear the igniter clicking? It will make three attempts and if it does not light, will shut down for about 5 minutes before it will allow you to try again.

Basic questions - Is your propane tank turned on? Are you certain you have propane in the tank, i.e. it isn't empty or near empty.

If you haven't run it there is a good chance you may have spider webs and or bees nests in the combustion area. You would need to pick up a can of compressed air and blow the combustion area out.

I tend to be on the opposite end of the spectrum as I almost always use propane. Normally boondock so it is rare for me to even use the 110 option. Tried the 12v battery option once, that was about 10 years ago just to make sure it worked.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:34pm

I can tell you I go for long periods of time without running fridge on propane. The last time I used it, it took multiple tries to get it to work. Some have said fire up propane stove to get gas into cabin, me I just tried many times it finally worked. My ritual now is use fridge on propane at start of season prior to setting out. I think that improves performance. Not using it makes it harder or longer to get it going.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:35pm

I only recently started using the 12V option. That is only because I installed a DC to DC charger for the LiFePO4 battery and ran a dedicated power line from the truck to the trailer through a new 2-pole connector to power it. Before that, the wiring was inadequate to both charge the prior dual 6V batteries and to run the refrigerator. Still, when we stop, it is either to propane or shore power if available. The refrigerator pulls too much power to use otherwise.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:42pm

+1 to Jato, I have propane and tank is full, fridge was clean and clear, I think I took 5 tries before it lit, waited 5 minutes between tries.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:58pm

I had a full tank....30 lb. I had started the stove first and it was working. I lit the stove first It seemed to give an error the first two times I tried.....the triangle button lit. After I shut the refridge down I starte the heater and it worked fine. I tried the refridge again and I never saw a flame. We were in a truck stop and the truck beside us was running so I can't say I could hear if it was trying to light. I have the camper home now so I will try some troubleshooting. I really wasn't certain about how well you would see the flame....seems odd the lights on the front of fridge indicated it was in propane mode even though it wasn't lit.....the AC mode gives a definite error when the power goes out.

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 6:08pm

It is confusing. Mine stays in propane although not lit. It does indicate it's not lit as I recall. As posted mine took numerous tries which I blamed on non-use. I know it took me 30 mins of trying. I added a start the fridge on propane to my de-winterizing tasks:)

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:30am

The service section of this manual may be helpful.
http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/Service%20Manual,%20RM8xxx.pdf

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 12:57pm

Tried it at home....I made sure the stove worked then started refrig on propane and went out to check the flame and it was lit.....go figure. At least now I know what to look for. Only issue left is the 12 volt water pump....it runs but couldn't get it to pump. I assume I have to pull the mattress to get to the pump? Hoping there is some sort of debris causing it to not pump.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 1:36pm

Do not know location of water pump on a 189 however when you find it you will see a small screw off filter on the pump that has a small screen. That may have crud in it that prevents the pump to work properly, an easy fix to unscrew and clean.

In the past were you able to get H and C water at all your outlets, sinks, shower, toilet? If some work and others do not, there are screens at the outlets that may also have small particles embedded causing less than optimal performance or none at all.

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 2:06pm

Since this was my first try at boondocking I have never tried the 12 v pump as we have always had city water. I suspect you are right something gunking up the intake on the pump. It is kind of a pain to get to it.

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 5:41pm

If it hasn’t been used for awhile the pump might be having difficulty self-priming. It is above the fresh water tank after all. Be sure the FWT is completely full, hook up city water for a bit, run the pump, then disconnect city water and see if it primes. If that doesn’t work then you’ll probably need to take the pump apart and clean it out as discussed.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:13pm

If the pump has not been used and the RPod was winterized, check to see that the valve for the antifreeze stub is turned to the correct position to draw from the tank. When we got ours, it was set to pull from the stub, so it was only pumping air. When I figured out that the valve was wrong and changed it, it did not take long to prime and pump from the tank.

If you have it running and you are getting an air pressure build-up, that is likely what is happening.

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:20pm

I've used the antifreeze intake to prime system that SH refers to, then closed and continued to prime pump. It can take some time for pump to prime if winterized.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 6:42pm

That may be it as it was building air pressure and I believe the original owner had winterized it before I bought it. Wish the pump was easier to access......do you have to pull the mattress to get to it? I have a prop to hold mattress up enough to switch the water heater valves but don't think I can get to the pump very well from there.

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 7:05pm

In the 179 I just prop up the mattress to access the pump, not sure in your model. But the first time I took out the mattress. Once you know what you’re looking for it’s easier.

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 6:16pm

Couple years back there was a podder near us who had this problem and didn't check to make sure it worked before going out first time in the spring. The bypass valves were correct and finally with the pump running I moved the valve on the antifreeze stub back and forth a few times . . . it caught prime and worked!

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 23 May 2021 at 3:19pm

Just reopening this thread....I got the 12volt pump working....issue was it was switched to winterize mode. We are getting ready to go to Maine so how long will the fridge run in propane mode on a 30 lb tank? We will only be using it for three overnights where we are diconnected so I would think one 30lb would be plenty?

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 23 May 2021 at 3:39pm

During summer months we have run the fridge and HW on propane for 3 weeks straight and have not run out of propane on a 20# tank. A couple years ago we were gone for a month during September in the Rockies and RMNP running fridge, HW and the furnace (a lot) as night temps were normally in the 40's. Did go through one 20# tank and switched to another BUT the first tank was not full when we started the trip either.

Regardless of that, you will have P L E N T Y of propane for 3 nights, assuming your 30# tank isn't nearly empty when you start.

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 23 May 2021 at 4:17pm

Sounds good I need to weigh the tank to see how full it is but we haven't used it much. Thanks.