Frig not working

[firstcarrigo]

I bought this used rig in August of this year and finally got the time to use it for an overnighter two weeks ago. Everything worked wonderfully. I dry camped so I was trying out the frig, stove, microwave, air conditioner and heat, using the battery, gas and generator at different times just to make sure everything was in order before I left for a longer trip. Even tried the TV (which I don't nornally watch) Came home turned everything off and the unit has set for a couple weeks. Day before yesterday I decided I wanted to take several days and see some scenery. Went out to get the frig turned on. Turned the gas on, turned the frig on, made sure it was set to LP,set the temp, stepped outside and made sure I could see the pilot light burning, and walked away. This morning I went to check on it and the frig and freezer were not cold. Pilot is burning but frig and freezer are not cold. Any suggestions as to what I need to check and/do?

[ronfisherman]

Glad you got it working and reported the results.

[Bordercollie]

It may be that operating the cook top removed an air bubble from the gas line allowing the fridge to work on propane. With our old 1979 rig I used to have to run the stove to get the furnace to work, same reason. Why old rigs have air bubble problems, but newer rigs don't, is a mystery to me.

[firstcarrigo]

Yes, the 12V battery is strong. I tried the stove and it worked fine. The only thing I could think of is the location where I parked it last time and where it is now parked. Old-Biscuit, you hit the nail on the head - I moved it back to the more level place I had it originally, started the frig and now it is nice and cold!! Lesson learned, as a new RVer, I'll be sure to stop by again to read the questions and answers so I can learn more. Thank you all!!!

[fortytwo]

What is the age of your MH?

If it was a 1900's vintage was the fridge run off level? Older fridges were prone to get an air bubble in the lines if run when substantially off level. The fact that yours starts and you can hear the burner leads me to suspect that given that it worked the last time you used it. The older models could often be salvaged by removing them, turning them upside down and re-installing. I restored one that way in the 1970's.

I had a similar case a couple of months ago, but mine would not start on either gas or electric. I had a bad circuit board. Since yours starts it would seem your board is good. There are a couple of video's on You Tube that show how to check your board.

[navegator]

As stated above if you have a flame and the frig is not cold check for a yellow color along all the coils and specially at the base of the heater, if there is yellow color the frig has leaked the liquid that the flame is supposed to heat.

If yellow color is present you need to replace the coil with a rebuilt or new one, not the whole refrigerator.

navegator

[Old-Biscuit]

Absorption fridges need 3 basic things to work

LEVEL

Good ventilation/draft

Good steady heat source



In order to have heat source.......need 12V DC
You have lights on control panel (shows set to LP) and you have flame (Fridge flame is not very large----looks like a pilot flame)

So
IS rig level?

And have you checked backside of fridge/compartment for any obstructions/fallen down insulation---air has to draft across cooling unit to remove heat/bottom to top


Flame needs to be strong steady AND flame tip just high enough to go inside flue tube.



Do you have 110V AC power available.........tried it on AC?
Which fridge-brand/model always helps

[ronfisherman]

If there is flame. It requires 12 volts to turn on gas valve and lite burner.

[robsouth]

My bet is also on the battery. Control board need good battery power.

[korbe]

Looks like people don't read the OP's post. He said the flame is there. Just not cooling. I'm stumped.

[Mike_Leslie]

When our rig has set for a spell, we must get the gas flowing by lighting a stove burner first. Then turn the frig on gas. It is probably air in the gas line. FWIW

Mike Leslie
2003 Winnebago Minnie Class C

[midnightsadie]

the frig HAS TO HAVE 12volts, voltage drop frig will shut off.

[Dakota98]

Have you checked the battery voltage ?

[ronfisherman]

I do not think your MH has a pilot light. What you see is the burner flame. You should be able to hear the burner flame when it is lit. If you cannot hear it shut the system down. Remove the brass orifice from burner assembly. Soak it in some 90% alcohol (rubbing not liquor) for 1/2 hour. Remove orifice from alcohol. Blow out the left over alcohol. Install back in burner assembly. When you turn on fridge and flame shows up there should be a good flame that makes noise that you can hear when burner is lit.