Refrigerator Issues July 19, 2022, 03:39:27 pm 1993 27 MB replaced the cooling unit 10 years ago. Domenica Original Fridge On Shore Power the refrigerator and the freezer works perfectly, Once I take off and switch to 12V it no longer works, I tried Propane while driving no luck. I then plug in for Shore Power it works fine. I've looked thru the archives for some advice. Not finding much. Hoping to find an easy fix here. All replies and opinions are appreciated.Thanks in advance for all your help
Re: Refrigerator Issues Reply #1 – July 19, 2022, 04:13:11 pm If this a three-way (120 V / 12V / propane) refrigerator, when you try to run it in 12 V, does the control panel light up? Have you checked that there is 12 V present at the connections on the control board?You say that it doesn't run on propane while driving, but does it run on propane when parked? Does the burner not light, light and then go out, or...?These are probably two separate issues, unless you have a failing control board. A more detailed description of symptoms will be helpful.
Re: Refrigerator Issues Reply #2 – July 29, 2022, 03:26:34 pm Andy- I ran the propane over night. The flame was on. The unit did not get cold at all. I ran the refrig overnight with the it hooked up to shore power. Perfect nice and cold. Not sure where the circuit board is and not sure what to do if I found it. Any suggestons?? Thank so much It is a Three way refrigerator and the control panel does lite up correctly
Re: Refrigerator Issues Reply #3 – July 29, 2022, 04:57:12 pm That's puzzling. Since the flame and the 12V and 120V heating elements all apply heat in the same area, it's very odd that two out of three (propane and 12 V) would fail to provide cooling. Maybe somebody else here can shed light on this problem. For what it's worth, here's a website with some troubleshooting tips."Not sure where the circuit board is..."It's in a black box at the lower left of the exterior fridge compartment, with a bunch of wires going into it. Yours will look a little different from the one in this photo (this one has an added copper propane line), but you can see the controller box at lower left.Should it prove necessary to replace the controller board inside that box, get one from Dinosaur Electronics rather than a Dometic replacement board. The Dinosaur boards are much better built, as many of us here can attest. 1 Likes
Re: Refrigerator Issues Reply #4 – July 30, 2022, 11:07:46 am Possibilities.A bad 12-volt heating element. A wiring problem that prevents full voltage from reaching the refrigerator.Check the continuity of the heating element and the voltage reaching the element.A bad control box could be the source of some of the problems, troubleshooting is needed. Some RV shops can test the control board.Low propane pressure and/or a dirty propane jet. Too small a flame will not start the cooling cycle.Check the pressure using a manometer, and have it adjusted as needed. Best done by a qualified RV tech.If the pressure is within range, clean the jet.Larry
Re: Refrigerator Issues Reply #5 – July 30, 2022, 11:32:00 am Does the 1993 fridge have a pilot light or did they have electronic ignition by then?Is the main propane burner coming on? We could hear the fridge in our 2002 when the propane burner came on and it would blink one of the panel lights if it failed to light (there is thermocouple that detects the main flame). If the propane burner is not lighting it could be the propane control valve. Sounds like it is time for an experienced tech to look into the issue(s).Art 1 Likes
Re: Refrigerator Issues Reply #6 – July 30, 2022, 02:11:40 pm Here's a key question: did both symptoms (not working on propane AND not working on 12 VDC) start at exactly the same time? That would point more toward a control board problem, since otherwise it's hard to think of a failure that would affect these two very different heat sources.