Hi We have a 2015 keystone bullet, when we picked it up the fridge was fine as it was plugged into AC so was nice and cold. We took it out a month later and switched it to gas and was at full strength (5 bars) and was cool, not cold (after 24hrs of being on gas), the next time we took the trailer out the fridge warmed up completely, checked the pilot light and gas which were all working properly. Took to the dealership and they checked it over, as the tech was new to the Helium fridges, said it was fine and got it cooling at the dealership (not the same dealership we bought from, as we bought in Indiana and live in Washington). Worked mediocre for the summer, ice cream was mushy in the freezer and nothing really "froze solid" but we lived with it. AC on full strength doesn't get that cold either.This summer we took out of storage plugged into our home, fridge cooled slowly on AC, switched to gas and the fridge warmed up, NO CHECK lights, pilot light is on, gas is plentiful. ANY BODY KNOW THE CAUSE, called Atwood and he's never heard of the fridges doing this, thinking its something with the chimney or gas check valve, pilot light on and strong, works mediocre on electric???????Need help, thanks in advance

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1. There is NO pilot light. The Flame is all you have2. The check for ANY RV absorbsion is to bypass the controls, connect the 120 element direct to 120 and run the refer on 120 for 24 hours. IF, after that time the refer does not get below 40 degrees and the freezer below 10 degrees the cooling unit is probably bad. 3. Before condemning the Cooling unit, verify that the ventilation is clear and IF the unit is in a slide room the rear ventilation fan is running. If the refer is in a slide room and there is NO rear ventilation fan, that would be the cause of the cooling problem as refers in slide rooms need that fan.4. The reason that Atwood has not heard of this is simple. Atwood just started building and supplying refers to the RV industry and I doubt their people have any real knowledge of all types of problems unlike Dometic and Norcold that have been in the business 40 plus years. Doug

5. Atwood 'helium' fridge is just an absorption fridge that uses helium vs hydrogen gas in the cooling unit.Otherwise it is the same as nay other absorption fridge....same troubleshooting methods/same lack of cooling issuesDo like Doug suggested to 'test' cooling capabilities and check that backside of fridge for obstructions/lack of fans etc.Wouldn't be surprised if issue is with installation my rv mfg. IF they did not follow fridge mfg. installation/clearances then fridge will not have sufficient air flow (draft) to cool properly..especially of there are dead air spaces

Short answer- find a better dealer- you shouldn't have to fight to get this working.There seem to be 2 issues here- overall performance is poor, LP performance is bad. It's hard to tell if you've really tested on electric though.The basic LP check is clean burner, orifice and *check LP pressure*- something that Atwood has no control over.Poor overall performance would be installation, usually. Could be marginal cooling unit- I've only worked on a few, but they gave worked OK.

Thanks, I have it into the dealership right now and will talk to the tech once he gets to the unit, the fridge is not in a slide room. Will keep this updated as to what they say, its a big help to hear your opinions as i didn't want to spent shop rate per hour for him to trouble shoot every possibility, now i can give him specifics

Atwood Helium Fridge not working on Gas, NO Check Light

16 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2015
Let us know when you get that pilot flame lit.......

And if you find a thermocouple post picture.

I'm done.
wolfe10
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
If the gas valve on the refrigerator is open and you have propane flow, but no spark, use a BBQ lighter to light it. Keep the lighter on until the thermocouple is activated/keeps the gas on.

As stated, if there is a flame, it IS the flame-- there is no pilot light.
fullhouse10
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Heard gas valve open while igniter sparking but no ignition
fullhouse10
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Propane was on and fridge working 8hrs ago when I left my house
fullhouse10
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Went through manual. That's how I know the code and how they test the safety gas shut off solenoid. Thinking it could b the safety but don't know how to fix
fullhouse10
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
The unit was on gas. For 5 days at home before I left. Code on fridge is no gas going to unit. It always had a pilot light ignition before today. Unable to plug into ac where I am. Spark is flickering wanting to ignite a pilot light. Code on fridge is check light on and gas light flashing. 40 seconds of clicking before the unit gives up and check light comes on. Thinking it could be a safety switch but don't know how to reset it. Reset fuse no help. Made dinner for 30 minutes using stove and oven to try to cook all my frozen foods. Tried again and same code with attempt clicking for pilot ignition. Fridge is now warm.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2015
Once again there is NO PILOT flame..........the flame that lights off is the Main Flame and goes out when temps reached then relights when more cooling is needed

After period of non use on propane it may take several attempts to establish flow to fridge and for main flame to light off.
Run stove top burners on HIGH for minute or two the retry fridge.

Someone should be outside with fridge lower vent off to watch/listen if solenoid on gas valve clicks and if spark electrode clicks/clicks/clicks.
Feel gas valve when it energizes. DC power is sent to gas valve to open only for 6 seconds or so when power goes to spark electrode.

Check for any loose connections on solenoid. at control module etc.

Manual I LINKED in earlier post has some information.
fullhouse10
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
So. The dealer ship said the thermocoupler was off and readjusted it. Worked great when I brought home, about a 20min drive home. Sat in driveway for a week doing great. Just got to our camping spot 7 hours away from home. Fridge check gas light on. No pilot light. Did all the usual check gas, lines from propane. Purged oven stove all working fine. Reset fridge. Pilot light tries to light, no gas! ????? I am in no where land. Any tricks I could try out in the wilderness before I lose all my food in the freezer
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 09, 2015
fullhouse10 wrote:
Oh Sorry, i will clarify my conversation with atwood, the trailer is in canada at the moment so I have to pay for diagnostic report from dealer if they find that it is a warranty issue, i have to submit the quote and diagnostic bill to them for coverage and reimbursement

Installation, proper clearances, dead air spaces, bad circuit board, bad burner assembly etc etc......would ALL be warranty issues

Hard to think of a non warranty issue with a 2015 model

Unless you sprayed water in thru vents :B

And remember......having helium doesn't change anything (how it works).
It is just an absorption fridge.....rv tech should have no problem with diagnosis......same electric/propane heating, cooling unit, vapor flow as Dometic/Norcold using hydrogen gas.

HERE is Installation/Service Manual with clearances/installation requirements just in case RV tech is unsure :B

Good luck!
fullhouse10
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
Oh Sorry, i will clarify my conversation with atwood, the trailer is in canada at the moment so I have to pay for diagnostic report from dealer if they find that it is a warranty issue, i have to submit the quote and diagnostic bill to them for coverage and reimbursement

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Atwood Helium Fridge not working on Gas, NO Check Light

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