LP Refrigerator use at high altitude

[JoshuaH]

In the manual for my refrigerator in my Pop-Up it mentions changing a part when running on LP at high altitude. My wife and I are planning a trip in about a month to Northern New Mexico, some of the areas around around 10,000FT. elevation. Is this something I need to worry about? Any other things I should be aware of besides the obvious effects to myself.

[JoshuaH]

Thanks everyone, sounds like this won't be much of a problem.

The camper is a Flagstaff 176LTD, the fridge is a Dometic RM 2193

[Gjac]

BigBlockTank wrote:

camperpaul wrote:

JoshuaH wrote:
In the manual for my refrigerator in my Pop-Up it mentions changing a part when running on LP at high altitude.
-- snip --

It would help if we knew what trailer you have and the make and model of your fridge.

Sometimes the propane burner will run rich at high altitude; replacing the orifice will solve the problem.

The flame color will tell you if the mixture is correct/incorrect.



Examples #1 and #2 are way too rich.
Example #3 is borderline too rich.
Example #4 is just right.

CamperPaul has the right answer. The only thing that can change is the mixture of air and fuel(LP). You might have to move the little metal slotted tube that is over the tube that goes to the burner of the fridge. But, be very mindful, that's fire you're playing with, in an RV.

Have fun on this new quest!!!

What "little metal slotted tube" are you reffering to. Is yours adjustable?

[BigBlockTank]

camperpaul wrote:

JoshuaH wrote:
In the manual for my refrigerator in my Pop-Up it mentions changing a part when running on LP at high altitude.
-- snip --

It would help if we knew what trailer you have and the make and model of your fridge.

Sometimes the propane burner will run rich at high altitude; replacing the orifice will solve the problem.

The flame color will tell you if the mixture is correct/incorrect.



Examples #1 and #2 are way too rich.
Example #3 is borderline too rich.
Example #4 is just right.

CamperPaul has the right answer. The only thing that can change is the mixture of air and fuel(LP). You might have to move the little metal slotted tube that is over the tube that goes to the burner of the fridge. But, be very mindful, that's fire you're playing with, in an RV.

Have fun on this new quest!!!

[Gjac]

I think at higher altitudes the outside temps are much lower than in the valley so any loss of flame quality is offset by cooler ambient temps so you don't see any rise in refer temperature.

[camperpaul]

ScottG wrote:
We camped at that level and the only time we had a problem was when trying to bake a birthday cake. They don't turn out very good!

I don't know if they still do it but there used to be "High Altitude Instructions" on the cake mix boxes.
Let me Google that for you.

[gwalter]

We live at 7000' and frequently camp at 9-10000 with no problems what so ever.

[ScottG]

We camped at that level and the only time we had a problem was when trying to bake a birthday cake. They don't turn out very good!

[sclark]

DW and I have camped at altitude on several occasions. No problem with any propane appliances. Good luck. Northern NM is a very nice area. Good luck.

[JiminDenver]

we only camp at 9-10.000 ft and never have issues with our propane appliances.

[skipnchar]

Unless you plan on actually CAMPING at 10,000 feet, you should have no issues. I've even CAMPED that high for as long as a week and had no problems but it IS possible that you could during prolonged stays at altitude.

[camperpaul]

JoshuaH wrote:
In the manual for my refrigerator in my Pop-Up it mentions changing a part when running on LP at high altitude.
-- snip --

It would help if we knew what trailer you have and the make and model of your fridge.

Sometimes the propane burner will run rich at high altitude; replacing the orifice will solve the problem.

The flame color will tell you if the mixture is correct/incorrect.



Examples #1 and #2 are way too rich.
Example #3 is borderline too rich.
Example #4 is just right.

[Crazy_Ray]

Just spent93 days in NM and Co some at 9300 ft and NO PROBLEMS

[jmcgsd]

Spent two months this summer with my Dometic running on propane at 7000' and had no problems.

[BubbaChris]

Some brands may perform better than others at altitude.

Our RV tech warned us about our Norcold above 10,000', but we did not have issues with our weekend up above that level. Could be our fairly new unit performs better than what he's seen in the past.