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Kountryguy's avatar
Kountryguy
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021

Refrigerator Headscratcher

I have a Dometic RM1350 gas-electric refrigerator. I always travel with the unit operating on gas, with never a problem. Yesterday started on a 500 mile trip, I know, too long !! Anyway, stopped to fix lunch and the fridge was flashing E-3 code. Checked and the one propane tank was empty. I changed over to the other tank, turned the other one on and started the fridge. I went out and heard the unit light. Thought everything was alright. Stopped a couple of hours later and the code was flashing again. Reset again figuring there was air in the line. When we stopped for the night, the code was flashing again. Reset and started again and it ran all night(8 1/2 hours), cooled everything down nicely. Off we go this morning, stopped after about an hour, the E-3 code flashing again. What could be causing this problem?
I would thing if wind was blowing it out, it should reignite itself. Help, I am puzzled.
  • Running out of propane cause one cylinder went empty and other one valved out would NOT throw an E-3 Error Code
  • Like I said, whatever works best for you...

    I'll just check the gauge from time to time and when it turns RED, switch to the other tank and then fill the empty one.

    But, I'm only a long weekend camper, so I'm always looking at the gauge and turning them off and on between trips, so I'm looking at them all the time.

    Mitch
  • With only one open, I know when it is empty. I use very little propane.
  • Why did you only have one tank turned on? I've been using the auto switch over forever and has never failed me..

    Yes, you do have to check it from time to time... :)

    Each to their own on what they do of course, so if that method works for you, great.

    Good luck! Mitch
  • Thanks. Did fire up the stove for awhile and ran the fridge for over 8 hours, before hitting the road.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I do not believe in the old "Air in the lines" but.. Sice you have removable tanks would not hurt to fire up a propane gobbler like the water heater or the stove top for a few minutes just in case.. That could be the problem

    Then there are more expensive options.
  • E-3 error code
    The boiler housing thermal switch has tripped.
    See photo pointing to the switch, there is a reset button between the red and yellow wires in the photo that will reset this device.

    BUT if tripped that shuts down all DC to fridge so nothing works

    Is that what you have been 'resetting'?????

    If that is the case your cooling unit is developing obstruction/blockages and overheating therefore the temp switch is tripping





    Although operating while moving is typically NOT an issue I noticed that the fridge worked fine when parked overnight/stationary and the E-3 events were happening when travel.
    That suggests that the coolant IS overheating due to gravity flow being interrupted ---- are you traveling on steep grades?

    Once coolant has been overheated...crystals form and plate out obstructing natural flow...more overheating events/more crystals/more plating out/more obstructions---etc
    Accumulative and permanent
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    And maybe purge the lines by firing up the stove.

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