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dano73's avatar
dano73
Explorer
Sep 10, 2014

Fridge Still Not Cold On Gas

I've posted this problem before, just an update on whats going on now. It's an older dometic 25 yrs,to be exact that works fine on ac. It seems to be fine for a few days on gas and than starts to defrost? Recently we were out for a week, dry camping.I have cleaned the burner, chimney, and replaced the regulator. This time we were good for about 4 days, freezer loads up with frost,fridge is ok,but after that we noticed the fridge getting warmer, and the next day the freezer started defrosting. I checked the burner, it was still lit, the chimney was warm, moved what I could to cooler went to bed. Normally I would have shut it off, but I left it on this time. Next morning, checked the freezer it was freezing up again!!

Now I know theres no defrost cycle in this fridge, but is there any way that the frost buildup is shutting it down?? Just a thought cause I don't know. And yes the door seals are in pretty good shape, but it has been extremely humid, where I camp. Any thoughts??

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  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Sep 10, 2014
    patperry2766 wrote:
    Electric works off a different system


    EXPLAIN this statement. They operate on the same system. Doug
  • Joe417's avatar
    Joe417
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2014
    I will assume since it's 25 years old that it's not on a slide-out. A frig on a slide needs a fan to help circulate condenser cooling air.

    On a Norcold we had with a somewhat similar issue (worked sometimes) a piece of insulation was flopping back and forth in the chimney vent obstruction the air flow.

    I do know if the electric element isn't sufficient wattage it will cause it not to cool correctly, so if that AC works and the gas doesn't, just guessing, if you have spider or dirt dauber nests in the burner they could be limiting the flame reducing heat output.

    I've had them and couldn't see it until I removed the tube.
  • patperry2766's avatar
    patperry2766
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2014
    Had a similar problem on my fridge, but no frost. The freezer worked but the fridge didn't work on gas. The service guy pointed out that my model had a sliding thermostat lever on the back (unknown to me) and apparently had gotten slid down to the lowest setting. Also, there was a plastic "drain pipe" for lack of a better work that was suppose to have some kinda plastic valve on the end.
    I guess it wasn't put on when installed (QC at it's finest) and he said that it had something to do with airflow backing up into the fridge. Honestly, I have no idea what he was talking about, but he said it fixed the problem.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2014
    your geting way to much frost the doors are leaking, try this put a bungee cord across the door see if things get realy cold.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Sep 10, 2014
    Frost build up will NOT shut down the refer. If works fine on 120 but not on gas
    1. LP pressure NOT at 11.5 inches
    2. Is the burner baffle installed in the chimney and if it is, is it in good repair(not burnt up or rusted out). The baffle is critical for correct LP operation
    3. Are you at a higher than 5000 foot altitude? Doug

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