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jrg3170's avatar
jrg3170
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018

Dometic fridge shuts off overnight (propane mode)

I have a two year old Dometic refrigerator that won't stay on in propane mode. Electric mode works fine.

When starting up the fridge makes a bunch of clicking sounds, the burner momentarily engages then goes out, then more clicking, then burner, and so on for maybe 1-3 minutes until the fridge gives up and the "check" light comes on.

If I keep resetting the fridge, maybe 4 or 5 times of this then the fridge will eventually engage and work fine. It will work throughout the day and into the evening. However, when I wake up in the mornings the “check” light is always on again. Repeat above and it starts working again.

This makes me think maybe air is getting into the gas line overnight somehow? Or maybe it doesn't like cold temps (I was in CO at 9K feet, 70s in the day and 40s at night). I don't think there is a leak as I just returned from a five day trip where the gas line was open the entire time and I had plenty left in the tank afterwards even with consistent usage.

I took a video of the burner trying to engage, see here: ***Link Removed***

Thoughts? Should I try replacing something?
  • baker01's avatar
    baker01
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2018
    Could be your propane regulator. My stove, heater, and hot water would work. My fridge would shut off. I replaced the propane regulator and no more problems.
  • n0arp's avatar
    n0arp
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    We've been having the same issue with our Dometic 1350 at ~1000ft, so I wouldn't be so quick to blame altitude.

    Edit: decided to look at it today, and the gas shutoff valve wasn't turning freely. After fidgeting with it for a minute it unjammed, and turns properly now. I test lit the fridge about half a dozen times and it lit each time, so I think that was the issue. Something probably got in there and clogged it.
  • grizzzman's avatar
    grizzzman
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    DI have dealt with 4 Dometics that has had this issue at altitude (about 7K to over 10K) every one works at high altitude now. The fix was simple. High altitude and cold are the biggest issues. Lack of oxygen due to high altitude means the unit is running lean. At night once the unit shuts down the property of propane changes. At this point the flue is cold and does not draft well. The lean flame "lifts off" the burner due to the lack of draft and the flame looking for O2 as the flue warms more air is being drawn in. The Dometics we have use the Igniter as the thermocouple . When the flame lifts there is no longer a path to ground. The unit shuts down. The igniter is 1/2 of the cycle and it then watches for ground the other 1/2. Tried lots of things but the simplest thing was to move the igniter in and up. This is so when the flame lifts the igniter "sees" ground
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 10, 2018
    Hi,

    I had a problem with my previous RV. A few minutes with an air compressor blowing out rust and dust fixed the problem.

    The link still doesn't work.
  • jrg3170's avatar
    jrg3170
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    Propane is full so that definitely isn't it

    @grizzzman it does have a sort of uneven roorish sound. The burner ignites, goes for a bit, clicking starts (sometimes while burner is engaged), then burner goes out. Repeat, repeat, repeat until the clicker gives up. I tried posting a video before, will try again: https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO_lN2hi4tEBCH22J9Q1X5FqwMlgAGM9HTFx6kY

    @mchero I will have a look at this. There's quite a bit of dust in New Mexico, could very well be the issue.
  • mchero's avatar
    mchero
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    take a look at the burner assembly. Rusted and/or dirty? Our Norcold 4 door shut down one knight while on propane. I thought the board was done BUT found a sliver of rust that dropped out of the flu. It landed across the burner/sence/ignitor wire thus shorting it out. Once I cleaned it out everything back to normal.
  • grizzzman's avatar
    grizzzman
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    When it clicks does the sound have an uneven roorish sound? During the several attempts before it faults?
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2018
    Propane level low? We noticed this problem when we were getting very low on propane.
  • jrg3170's avatar
    jrg3170
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    Hi everyone,

    Just a few clarifications based on the comments:

    Altitude: I'm based on Santa Fe, NM (7,000 feet) and have used the fridge over the past two seasons with no issues at all. This included camping at and above the altitude described, never an issue.

    Battery: a good theory, and the reason why I just replaced the batteries. Two new EverStarts from Walmart (group 24DC), but the standard ones: https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Lead-Acid-Marine-RV-Battery-Group-24DC/180350522.

    Even when fully charged I still experience the fridge clicking and "check" issue. The video I linked to in my original post was taken when the battery was fully charged.

    So maybe I need to get a higher cycling capacity battery? Is anyone familiar with these EverStarts?

    I'll also try the tuneup you suggest @mchero. Any guidance there? I'll start with cleaning the flame sensor as you mentioned @ScottG

    Thanks everyone. Will keep you posted.
  • mchero's avatar
    mchero
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2018
    make sure gas supply at proper pressure and service or replace burner. Does it have a nice even blue flame with a tad of orange on top? might just need a tuneup!

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