Forum Discussion

brholt's avatar
brholt
Explorer II
Nov 13, 2017

Refrigerator Flame blow out? (Update)

We have a Norcold N621 refrigerator. Always worked fine even in some pretty strong winds. Went camping this weekend and we were again getting steady 15 mile per hour winds against the refrigerator side. This time though we would some times get an F (flame) fault on the refrigerator. Turned it off and on and it would usually riun for awhile before getting the fault again. At home without the wind it seems to be running steady.

Does this make sense? Could the wind have kept it from igniting because it hit at just the right angle? Or do people think there is another issue?

Thanks

Turns out the burner had corroded enough that it no longer worked properly. Replaced the burner and the electrode and all is well.
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Check your thermo switch, the one that is in the flame. If it gets sooted up, it will give a false reading and turn off the propane. Maybe the wind, along with some soot, is causing the thermo switch to cool off enough to trigger the event.
  • SCClockDr's avatar
    SCClockDr
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    After upgrading our external fan setup we started to experience regular flame-outs while towing. I initially upped the thermostat setting and they stopped. So I fashioned a shroud from flat aluminum flashing & secured it with a few screws & lowered the fan thermostat to our preferred setting. No more flame-outs.
    I used a utility knife (box cutter) to cut the profile.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2017
    You can get big flakes of soot falling down on the burner that cause the F. Need to bang on the "chimney" and then clear away the flakes till next time. At least the next time you get the F you know the drill.
  • D_E_Bishop's avatar
    D_E_Bishop
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    On page 14 of the Owners Manual for the N621 refrigerator is a list of things you should be doing to maintain your refrigerator. I would bet if you read that and followed the directions your fridge would work smoothly.

    There is a little more than the get your hammer and hit the flue involved.

    Just Saying...
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2017
    D.E.Bishop wrote:
    On page 14 of the Owners Manual for the N621 refrigerator is a list of things you should be doing to maintain your refrigerator. I would bet if you read that and followed the directions your fridge would work smoothly.

    There is a little more than the get your hammer and hit the flue involved.

    Just Saying...


    True, but when you have just arrived at the campground and are getting the F, you can get it going for now.
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2017
    BFL13 wrote:
    You can get big flakes of soot falling down on the burner that cause the F. Need to bang on the "chimney" and then clear away the flakes till next time. At least the next time you get the F you know the drill.


    X2

    Richard
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2017
    Our previous coach and Norcold fridge had similar wind problems when the prevailing high winds were hitting the fridge vents. I rigged a deflector barrier a few inches away from the flame with aluminum flashing, and never had a problem after that.
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    I shoved a chunk of pink fiberglass insulation in the cavity behind the access vent where air can come in. It allows the thing to 'breathe' without the drafts during windy and driving conditions. AFTER I cleaned the soot off the thermo couple sensor.
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2017
    skipro3 wrote:
    I shoved a chunk of pink fiberglass insulation in the cavity behind the access vent where air can come in. It allows the thing to 'breathe' without the drafts during windy and driving conditions. AFTER I cleaned the soot off the thermo couple sensor.


    Be careful, the pink stuff is NOT fire/flame proof.
  • Itinerant1's avatar
    Itinerant1
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2017
    In the beginning of the year I was having the same issue with flame blow out on the fridge. There would be a little soot and wouldn't cool so great unless on max setting. Decided to change to Amish cooling unit and this is what I found after pulling the fridge out and found
    Complete blockage. Just something to think about.

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