Propane leak... Help!

[elima27]

First, let me say hi! I'm new to the forum but I've browsed a lot.

I've been living in my camper (2004 Coachmen Spirit of America) for about a year and it is parked in my parents drive way. That being said, I still consider myself to be a newbie.

About two weeks ago, I walked outside to go into the camper, and I smelled propane at the end, towards the refrigerator. When I opened the door to go inside, the reek of propane almost knocked me down. I thought maybe the propane had simply run out and I needed to replace the canister but the refrigerator light said it was ok. I couldn't find any leaks but I ended up having to sleep in the house because it made me sick.

I can only assume that the leak is coming from the refrigerator. I did notice that the fridge itself wasn't cold, and I wasn't running either the stove or the furnace. I just turned off the main propane supply and have basically gone without, but it's high time I get this sorted out.

I turned the main propane supply back on and then the refrigerator, which came on with no problems. I let it run for 15 minutes and checked the panel outside. I could hear the pilot light burning, but to my surprise I could see smoke coming from the top of the pilot box. Is that normal? Is there a way for me to check for leaks? I'd really like to be able to use my refrigerator, and having the furnace back occasionally would be nice as well. I've never had any problem with the propane at all, so I really don't know what to do.

I apologize if this is a simple fix, but I'm really ignorant when it comes to this type of thing. I am learning as I go though.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

[CavemanCharlie]

Thanks for the update !!!

[elima27]

Hey guys,

Sorry for never getting back to update everyone.

I had a technician come out and I was right. I think it was the reigniter in the refrigerator that was bad (leaking propane)? He replaced that and fixed the electrical so the outlets inside worked. A couple of days later the whole camper lost power and I had to replace the converter. Also added a battery, which I had never had before. So now, the refrigerator is running on electric, the way it should have been all along. I obviously had no idea that's how it should be done because I'm totally new to this and learning as I go.
But since the technician came out (he was super nice and gave me a great price) everything has been great. Two tanks of propane are lasting forever, and it's great to be able to use the outlets in my bedroom. Only thing left to do is get a propane detector, because mine definitely did not come with one.

Thanks so much again to everyone that helped try to figure out the problem. I'm very happy that my suspicions were confirmed, because it shows I'm learning. But I will remember everything everyone suggested in the future should more problems arise.

Have a great evening everyone 🙂

[Relheok]

What was the outcome

[72cougarxr7]

You may have a combo propane/carbon monoxide detector. That's what it currently in mine.
Were any other gas appliances going? Water heater or oven pilot light?

[MFL]

I can't say all trailers are the same, but in my FW, the carbon monoxide and propane detector are incorporated in the same unit. Did you look at yours closely?

Jerry

[elima27]

Its funny that you say that, because when I first got the camper I was inside the house visiting my parents and my daughter was in the camper. She was messing with the stove and I didn't know it, and we left to go back to our house. The next day my parents called and said an alarm was going off.. She has turned on the knobs and all the propane in the tanks drained out. So i always double and triple check the stove knobs. It was the first thing I checked when I smelled the propane, and they were fine.
And I have searched every inch of this trailer and I cannot find a propane detector anywhere. When my daughter left the stove on, it was the carbon monoxide detector that was going off. Its a scary thing to think about, knowing there should have been one here all this time. I'm going to have to buy one, because now I'm super nervous about it. Won't be turned the propane back on until it is both fixed, and has an l.p. detector. Thanks so much for making me aware of it!

[Old-Biscuit]

elima27 wrote:
Thats nice of you to say, thank you. 🙂

And after letting the refrigerator stay plugged in to the ac, it is cooling nicely. So I think it's safe to say it is in fact propane that is leaking.

Good news..........

Hunting down a propane leak is a lot cheaper than replacing cooling unit

When you 'got knocked over' by the propane smell (which I still have a hard time understanding that you do NOT have a LP Detector)have you checked that a stove top burner knob wasn't knocked open???

That much propane (heavy odor) would be difficult to have come from fridge (outside burner etc) vs some source inside (Stove/oven)

Hope you find that problem easily

[elima27]

Thats nice of you to say, thank you. 🙂

And after letting the refrigerator stay plugged in to the ac, it is cooling nicely. So I think it's safe to say it is in fact propane that is leaking.

[Old-Biscuit]

Post & ask away. That is what this forum is/should be about.

Hopefully it is something minor other than the cooling unit

Please post back results...should know if it cools down on AC

[elima27]

I understand that I am probably the least knowledgeable person in the world when it comes to this stuff. If I had anyone in person to ask, I wouldn't have sought out help from the forum. I am learning along the way.

And as for the plug working or not, I did test it this afternoon and it most assuredly does not work. I currently have the refrigerator plugged into an extension cord and I'm giving it a few hours to see if it cools the unit.

I called a repair guy and he will be out on Monday to look at it for me. Thanks so much to everyone who offered their insight and suggestions. I've gained a better understanding of how the system works, which I obviously needed.

Thanks again, guys.

[fairfaxjim]

Elima27: With all due respect to you and to the helpful forum members who have provided some excellent suggestions, I personally think you are way in over your head and trying to troubleshoot systems you don't have any understanding of. Unfortunately the systems you are having problems with don't lend themselves well to mistakes - they can hurt you or worse.

Please find someone with the basic knowledge to use the suggestions you have from the forum and get your trailer fixed properly. Your life may depend upon it!

[Old-Biscuit]

The refrigerator is a dometic RM 2652.

DC powers that fridge......used for circuit board, propane system, and lights

W/O DC nothing would work so you know that circuit is OK

Electric.......
Test that outlet by plugging an electric drill or a lamp into it.
IF no AC Power to outlet then could be bad outlet, tripped CB or tripped GFI

Use an extension cord and plug fridge in then see if it will run on AC Power.
If you can then take the thermistor, unclip it and let it hang down low (thermmistor is temp sensor on far right fin in food compartment)
With it hanging down low fridge will over cool and should be able to see temps in low 30s in food compartment (thermometer in glass of water)

If after at least 8 hrs then cooling unit has probably leaked.

As for the propane side......need at least 2 people.
One at backside of fridge to listen/look for signs of leaking and other one at propane valving it in slowly and ready to valve out.


Manual that covers your model

[Mont_G_J]

Clickly for important recall on your refrigerator.

Or this may be the result:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp2u6d3EQRg

[Hornnumb2]

If you think that outlet doesn't work just unplug the fridge and plug into a extension cord to test the fridge on a/c.