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Big_Don_53's avatar
Big_Don_53
Explorer
Sep 02, 2013

TT Frig isn't getting cold enough

We have a 2000 Gulf Stream camper and we've taken it out 3 times so far and every time it's been something and this trip this past weekend was no different. 2 big problems number 1 is I can't get the hot water tank to light. I did as the directions said and I could never even get the smell of gas more less get a pilot lite to lite. The stove burners worked so I know I had gas flowing. And a even bigger problem is our Frig gets semi cold but not safe enough for meat and stuff that can spoil. It was plugged in for 2 days before we left this time and not much better then before. I bought one of those small fans that go inside and that's not the answer either. I looked inside and out to see if there is a place you can change or set the temp but I see nothing. Now I'm wondering if you can put a house frig inside a camper. I can see a apartment size one fitting into that spot. But can it be done for lack of cooling space? I love camping but I'm getting tired of be beating up every time we go out. Can anybody give me any ideas?

Thanks Don
  • Go to the website for the maker of your fridge they will have a check list and what to do for troubleshooting. Or look in one of the drawers in your MH that is where most put the manuals for each of your appliances.

    Look on the fins inside your fridge there is a metal clip on one of them THAT is your thermostat move up or down depending on what temp you want.

    There is an ignitor on your hot water heater. If you don't hear any clicking when you turn it on, it is not igniting the gas.

    Good luck, don't give up and don't go out and buy a new fridge. All these things can be trouble shot and fixed and/or repaired yourself for very little investment. :C
  • These issues should be resolved in your driveway not during precious camp time.
    Its even got a name DRIVEWAY CAMPING :)
    If you do a google search for your make and model fridge you can get an owners manual and the troubleshoot guide for it
    Come back with specific question s then and you will get plenty of specific pointers
    Good Luck, Mike
    My youngest son is not far from you at Nat Bridge State Park :)
  • Make sure there is nothing leaning on the fins near the top shelf,that will make the fridge think that is where the clip is. As for the water heater,if it is gas,there will be a thermocoupler that needs to reach a certian temperature before it will open the gas to the burner. It is located just above the pilot light and the flame must touch it. These are a few things to check that are frequently problems encountered. I hope this helps. If you do not have the manuals for your appliances you can get most of them on the web.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    More than likely, a 2000 doesn't have a pilot light, Do you have a switch on you're convenience panel that says DSI , (direct spark ignition), that is the switch for propane, the switch outside in the heater compartment is for the electric element. This is all assuming that you have a Suburban water heater.
  • My fridge was lacking too. I added a small fan on the back of the unit to create a draft up the cooling unit. It helped ALOT. I got it from the local RV dealer for @ $50.00 and took less the 30 min to install. Without a good draft on the back of the fridge, none of them will cool good. Worked for me anyway.
  • Buy 1 or 2 12 volt computer fans and install them on the back side of the refrig. so they blow air over the coils on the back of the frig. You can pick up the 12 volt power you need for the fans right at the rear of the frig.
    Check for a spiders nest in the tube that the gas runs through for the water heater flame. Take some 12 gauge wire strip back about 2" of insulation spread the wires out and make a tubing brush (like a large bore brush) to clean pipe.
  • On the fins inside your fridge there should be a small sensor attached with a clip and a wire. Sometimes this sensor goes bad and needs replacement. Once you get a new sensor, it takes about 3 minutes to replace. Good luck. Keep us posted. Things will get better.

    Lakeside
  • Is the gas pressure high enough? It should be 11 inches WC (Water Column). I just went through this with my fridge not cooling well on gas and found the pressure was only 8" WC.

    Google "manometer" and you will find several easy to build examples. Cost me less than $12 for parts to build one.

    I should also add, my fridge cooled just fine on AC power. OP didn't mention if he tried AC.