Our refrigerator is great when set at 4 on AC, but when we switch to Propane it takes several hours to remain cool, even when set on the coldest setting. It's on level ground, and propane tank is full. Is there a "secret" to keeping it cold with propane? We've had it for several months, and this seems to be a new issue. We had trouble keeping it at a steady temperature during our first month-long trip, but recently it seems like the propane setting is very warm. Any suggestions?

Have you purged the propane lines before starting out? If your propane has been turned off, then just turn it on before leaving that could be the problem.

We use the propane for the hot water heater, so would it need to be "purged"? If so, how do I do that?

First, check to see if the gas flame is lighting when you have it set for gas. If not, you have your answer for why it is not cooling. Then find and fix that problem.

I hate to be dense, but this is a new camper for us. Where do I check to see if the gas is lighting???

Outside, there is a door panel that is the back of the refrigerator. Inside you will find the controls, and a gas burner. When you switch the control to gas, the burner should light. The flame is hard to see as it is inside the burner, but you can hear it. If you have an RV friend, get them to show it to you. From what you say, sounds like it is not lighting the burner, why is a different question. A good RV service person might be the best thing.

Dometic Fridge Hard to Regulate when Traveling | Good Sam Community

PSW
Explorer
May 09, 2016
No damage at all. That is the way they are designed to be operated. Some service people will tell you that it is good for them to be used in motion.
Reflex439
Explorer
May 09, 2016
steveh27 wrote:
I travel with mine on 12 volt and switch to propane when camped. I don't know why so many are not 3 way. I don't like traveling with the propane main tank switch open.

This brings up a question I have been curious about. I was doing the same, running on DC while in motion, and then going to AC or LP when stationary.

Since most of my driving in a single run is under 6-8 hours, the refrig stays cool enough even when off. Ice cubes still frozen, temps in safe range. So I stopped driving with the refrig on as I didn't know if it could damage it in any way over time.

My question, is there any long term damage to leaving it on while driving and subjected to starts/stops, swaying in turns, steep grade hills, etc.
steveh27
Explorer
May 05, 2016
I travel with mine on 12 volt and switch to propane when camped. I don't know why so many are not 3 way. I don't like traveling with the propane main tank switch open.
AsheGuy
Explorer
May 05, 2016
As someone else has pointed out, this can be caused by the propane burner element getting clogged both by droppings from the flue and just normal corrosion. I have had to clean our burner several times and replaced it once. When the burner is clean, propane will keep the refrigerator colder than AC.

The burner can be cleaned by you, but it can be a little tricky to get out. The cleaning can also make the slots in the burner too large depending on how you clean it.
JamesJudasPries
Explorer
May 04, 2016
BillJ999 wrote:
Johno02 wrote:
BTW, ours have always worked and cooled better on gas than on electric. If we have electric, it is better because it does't use propane, so when it has been off for a while, I usually start it on gas, just to check that is works, then switch to auto mode. If it doesn't light, there could be a number of problem, rangeing if price to fix. Like a wire loose, or a wasp nest blocking the burner.

Many people will tell you that their fridge cools faster on propane, and I have always thought so also. I just checked the specs and my fridge has a 1080 BTU/hour propane burner and 175 Watt AC and DC heating elements. 1080 BTU/hour converts to 316 Watts, so it isn't surprising that the propane does get the fridge cooler faster.
bsinmich
Explorer
May 02, 2016
If you don't have the manual from the manufacturer just get your model from the plate in the refrig, go on line and download the manual. It will give all the details on how to clean the burner. Sometimes a thermocouple will go bad also. That is the thing that sits in the flame and tells the gas valve to stay open.
TinyoneRV
Explorer
May 02, 2016
Not sure but i expect the propane burner is based on heat energy produced while the heaters are based on electrical energy consumed.
BillJ999
Explorer
May 02, 2016
Johno02 wrote:
BTW, ours have always worked and cooled better on gas than on electric. If we have electric, it is better because it does't use propane, so when it has been off for a while, I usually start it on gas, just to check that is works, then switch to auto mode. If it doesn't light, there could be a number of problem, rangeing if price to fix. Like a wire loose, or a wasp nest blocking the burner.

Many people will tell you that their fridge cools faster on propane, and I have always thought so also. I just checked the specs and my fridge has a 1080 BTU/hour propane burner and 175 Watt AC and DC heating elements. 1080 BTU/hour converts to 316 Watts, so it isn't surprising that the propane does get the fridge cooler faster.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 01, 2016
Electric element and propane burner have same cooling ability on Absorption Fridges.

Electric element transfers it's heat thru direct contact

Propane flame transfers it's heat via a spiral baffle hanging inside flue

IF spiral baffle and/or flue are dirty, rusted up etc then the heat from propane flame can not transfer properly and just goes up the flue......result is less cooling due to less ammonia being boiled/turned to vapor in perk tube.
Same if burner is dirty..

You need to thoroughly clean burner, flue and baffle. (or pay RV Tech to have it done if you don;t know how)-----should e done yearly as part of fridge routine maintenance
Johno02
Explorer
May 01, 2016
BTW, ours have always worked and cooled better on gas than on electric. If we have electric, it is better because it does't use propane, so when it has been off for a while, I usually start it on gas, just to check that is works, then switch to auto mode. If it doesn't light, there could be a number of problem, rangeing if price to fix. Like a wire loose, or a wasp nest blocking the burner.