Refrigerator on Propane January 13, 2010, 02:43:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 109173We took our LD down to the Florida Keys for the two weeks after Christmas (yes it was cold). On the way back to Michigan we kept the refrigerator on while driving. We noticed that the freezer temperature would steadily rise while we were driving. It got up to 25 degrees. When we stopped at a restaraunt for about a hour, the temperature went down to about 8 degrees. Then when we started driving again, it started increasing. The refrigerator works just fine when we're hooked up to electric. Any thoughts?Glenn & Joan Lambert Redford, MI 2002 MB
Re: Refrigerator on Propane Reply #1 – January 13, 2010, 04:54:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 109175"The refrigerator works just fine when we're hooked up to electric. Any thoughts?"Glenn & Joan The propane jet may dirty. With use, the jet will slowly build up a layer of crud, reducing its flow. If the flame is too small, it will blow out while driving. It may also produce too little heat to properly run the refrigerator in warm weather. The jet is located on the right side of the propane solenoid, under the sheet metal cover. Using a small box or open end wrench, remove the jet and soak it in solvent (rubbing alcohol works fine) and then blow it out using compressed air. DO NOT try cleaning it using a piece of wire; the jet can be easily damaged doing this.Hope this helps.Larry
Re: Refrigerator on Propane Reply #2 – January 13, 2010, 05:01:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 109176Glen & Joan, We had the same problem with our '05 MB fridge. I talked about the problem to a reputable local RV fridge and A/C repair guy. He said that at Interstate speeds an "air dam" can develop at the roof vent which keeps the fridge chimney flow from working properly. The positioning of the roof vent relative to the air flow over the cabover plays a part. He installed an outward blowing fan under the roof vent over the fridge chimney and I haven't had the problem since. As installed, the fan was controlled by a thermostat mounted on the fridge chimney a bit below the where the electric heater goes in. The idea is that when the chimney was hot, the fan would run using the house battery power. While there are kits for this application at RV dealers, the fans that come with them are often not very good, often not having motors with ball bearings. He used a larger quality fan intended for cooling desktop PCs. He selected a fan with an efficient motor to minimize battery drain. One change I made was to add a power ON toggle switch so I could turn the fan OFF when I'm camped and boondocking. There is no need for the fan to run at that time and battery power needs to be conserved. Of course, now I have to remember to turn the switch ON before taking off for the Interstates. If I forget, I get reminded by the rising internal fridge temperature. Works for me.Alex Rutchka '05 MB
Re: Refrigerator on Propane Reply #3 – January 20, 2010, 03:30:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 109297Thanks Larry, this is something that I maybe can do myself.Glenn & Joan Lambert 2002 MB Redford, MI
Re: Refrigerator on Propane Reply #4 – January 20, 2010, 03:31:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 109298Thanks for the reply Alex. Now I just need to find someone around the Detroit area to do the same thing.Glenn & Joan Lambert 2002 MB Redford, MI
Topic: Refrigerator on Propane (Read 13 times)
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Topic: Refrigerator on Propane (Read 13 times)
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