Propane stopped serving the refrigerator

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Campfire RV

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Ridgecrest, CA
The propane stopped supplying fuel to the refrigerator while dry camping at Mammoth Lakes this past weekend so much of the food in our ref spoiled and we had to throw away. I had just a little under 1/2 tank of propane in the tank and the gas light on the ref was solid when we left the house. Shortly after setting up camp at the campground is when I noticed the gas light flashing on the ref. I turned off the gas and turned on the generator for a while to make sure the ref would turn over automatically to electric and it worked just fine. I turned the  gas back on and the generator off about 15 minutes later and gas light began flashing again. Has anyone had this problem before and if so what are some of the possible reasons? This MH is still under warranty but the nearest service location for warranty work is nearly two hours away so I would like to see if this is something I could take care of myself or take to a local shop if it will be something simple that won't cost as much as the gas to drive to the service location for warranty work.

Thanks,
Josh 
 
If your other gas appliances are working Josh, I would suspect the fridge gas valve or a bad connection in the wiring to it first.
 
We didn't even try the stove, we did all our cooking in the microwave and campfire. I'll try the stove tonight see if it works. I didn't think about that, that is the reason I asked on here.
 
mojavesky13 said:
The propane stopped supplying fuel to the refrigerator while dry camping at Mammoth Lakes this past weekend so much of the food in our ref spoiled and we had to throw away. I had just a little under 1/2 tank of propane in the tank and the gas light on the ref was solid when we left the house. Shortly after setting up camp at the campground is when I noticed the gas light flashing on the ref. I turned off the gas and turned on the generator for a while to make sure the ref would turn over automatically to electric and it worked just fine. I turned the  gas back on and the generator off about 15 minutes later and gas light began flashing again. Has anyone had this problem before and if so what are some of the possible reasons? This MH is still under warranty but the nearest service location for warranty work is nearly two hours away so I would like to see if this is something I could take care of myself or take to a local shop if it will be something simple that won't cost as much as the gas to drive to the service location for warranty work.

Thanks,
Josh

Is there a reason for turning the gas on and off?

All the modern fridges I have heard of will switch automatic if you set them to the Automatic setting.
Make sure you have gas and the lines bled out.  You can do this by lighting the stove (quickest way to bleed the line.  And then try the hot water heater.  Once these to are working properly your fridge should also.  As mentioned, If you have good gas flow then check the back of the unit for dirty connectors (not likely on a new unit) or possibly a spider web or something around the gas outlet behind the fridge.

good luck!!
 
BigDfromTN said:
Is there a reason for turning the gas on and off?

All the modern fridges I have heard of will switch automatic if you set them to the Automatic setting.
Make sure you have gas and the lines bled out.  You can do this by lighting the stove (quickest way to bleed the line.  And then try the hot water heater.  Once these to are working properly your fridge should also.  As mentioned, If you have good gas flow then check the back of the unit for dirty connectors (not likely on a new unit) or possibly a spider web or something around the gas outlet behind the fridge.

good luck!!

And don't open the tank valve too fast...in fact be VERY slow when you open it [there's a safety device that greatly restricts flow if it trips]....I know from first hand experience...and learned the answer from this forum...
If the stove & water heater work than it has to be a issue at the refrigerator ...could be the gas valve..a lite off issue..bad connection
Mine always gets blown out when traveling..not sure why as My Elandan never did..but is fine after I park...I don't have a 12v heater in this one..

George
 
You should have had Coachnet. You could have called them up and talked to an RV technician about the problem. He might have been able to figure out the problem and saved your food. Coachnet is only $109 per year. No RVer should leave home without Coachnet IMHO.
 
One time when we were out, the dog laid against the switch on the propane detector which was on the cabinet face at floor level. With the detector turned off, it shut down the propane supply and I thought I had run out of propane. Not until I had it filled and it only took 3 gallons, did I finally figure out what it was. Check the switch if none of your gas appliances are working....maybe someone inadvertently hit it.
 
The OP's rig is new, so the propane detector, that (I think) WaterDog is referring to, does not likely have a propane shut-off valve associated with it. This detector/valve combination has not been a requirement for some years now and detectors with the necessary apparatus inside are not readily available any longer.

In most cases, those equipped with this older type of detector that is failing will have to remove/bypass the associated valve and install a new detector before the propane system will be function-able again.

This detectors usually have a finite life of about 10 years (there is usually a date stamped on the back)  so most of them should have been replaced my now.... but not many of us ever think about it until the detector starts causing a problem.


As far as mojavesky13's original problem is concerned, following Icemaker's advise first and then BigD's you should have the problem cleaned up.

But as to the reason the gas went off originally, it is likely that the circuitry failed to detect the flame at one point and thus shut down the cooling,  and lighting the CHECK light. Leaving it on AUTO, will cause the fridge to cycle to 120V or Gas depending on the availability of 120V. Maybe your cleaning will find a reason for the failure, like a cracked detector probe, cob webs etc. (The propane burner normally cycles on and off as cooling is needed.) Just turning the refrigerator itself OFF and then back on should re-initiate the gas lighting cycle.
 
Water Dog said:
One time when we were out, the dog laid against the switch on the propane detector which was on the cabinet face at floor level. With the detector turned off, it shut down the propane supply and I thought I had run out of propane. Not until I had it filled and it only took 3 gallons, did I finally figure out what it was. Check the switch if none of your gas appliances are working....maybe someone inadvertently hit it.

LOL Dennis,

I had a similar experience except I couldn't blame the dog.  It was I who had turned the detector off.

Very embarrassing to have the CG Host drag out the fefill hose for a 2 gallon propane sale. :-[
 
Just Lou said:
Very embarrassing to have the CG Host drag out the fefill hose for a 2 gallon propane sale. :-[

Yes it was...! Almost as embarrassing as not remembering that those tpyes of systems are no longer used on the newer rv's, like the one we have now...! ::)
 
Thanks for all the great advice and sharing your experiences IRT the propane gas and refrigerator. I took the advice from BigD by opening the tank valve slowly then gave it a few minutes before turning on the refrigerator. I turned the ref to "Auto" and so far there is no flashing light and it has been 60 minutes. In my ref operating manual it mentions that at altitudes higher than 5500 feet that you may experience reduced cooling performance of the refrigerator and you may experience burner outages. Is something that any of you have ever encountered before? I thought everything on RV's today were made for all climates and altitudes. I checked the lights before we left home Thursday and the lights were solid when I had it plugged into the house and when I switched to gas.
 
Well, I checked the ref in the MH this morning before leaving for work and the gas was working like a charm. The water I left in the freezer over night was frozen and the refrigerator was cold too. I think I may go out drycamping this Friday night at Lake Isabella to test it out again and see if it happens again, plus it gives me another opportunity to go out in the MH again. ;D
 
Glad to hear it worked out!!

Not sure about the elevation situation.  We never go that high and would have to travel for days to test it. :p
I seem to remember that certain things on Propane (and other fuels) can have problems above certain elevations due to lower Oxygen content of the air. 
 
I live at 6600' and often camp at higher spots. My favorite place to camp is at 7800'. No issues for my '98 Bounder. I haven't stayed there, but many folks camp at Green's Peak at 9500'. Never heard them complain. I have heard of issues with propane flow when temps get really cold?

My .02
 
This wasn't the first time I've traveled above 5500 ft. We traveled through Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mt. Shasta back in June and had no problems during our entire two week trip. and they were both higher elevations than Mammoth. 
 
mojavesky13 said:
What do you spray on your lines to make sure you don't have any leaks in the lines or at any fittings?
I usually just use soapy water.  But, it sounds like maybe your regulator might not be up to snuff.  Most any propane service could test it for you.
 
mojavesky13 said:
What do you spray on your lines to make sure you don't have any leaks in the lines or at any fittings?

I use a soapy water mixture.  simple Dish Washing Liquid and some water.

Served me well this past weekend.  We got to the camp site and I noticed the fridge had the gas light blinking.  Went and check and the bottle was empty.  Glad I did not have both bottles open!!  Leak was at the outlet of the regulator where the rubber hose connects the reg. to the black pipe at the frame.
 
REMEMBER THIS.  Lp gas will leave a residue on your orifus that produces the flame in your ''refer''.  this jet must be cleaned about twice a year if you use your refer on gas very much.  the hole. in this jet is slightly bigger than a human hair and can be stopped up easily.... DO NOT USE A WIRE TO CLEAN THIS HOLE.  You must unscrew the jet after shutting down your LP system.  Soak the jet in alcahol for about 30 minutes and take a Q Tip, stick it in the back of the jet and twirl it.  Stick the jet back in the alchole and pump the q tip up and down to draw the alcahol thru the jet hole.  You will get a ''varnish'' looking substance out of the jet.  Peek thru the jet and if you see daylight, its clean......  Put the whole mess back to gether and turn on your L>P. gas at the tank.  Because you may have blead the line it may take several tries for the ''refer'' to light off on gas.....

I would bet a six pack this is your trouble if the jet has never beeen cleaned...
This informATION will cost you ten cents and you can pay me the next time you see me.....
remember this ....... if this dont work for you .. I NEVER KNEW YOU......CJ...
 
REMEMBER THIS.  Lp gas will leave a residue on your orifus that produces the flame in your ''refer''.  this jet must be cleaned about twice a year if you use your refer on gas very much.

Hmmm. Can't say that I've ever heard of propane leaving a residue on the jets in normal operation. If it did, I would suspect either an improperly adjusted air inlet to the burner (poor air/fuel ratio) or LP fuel that is contaminated with other chemicals. LP itself burns extremely clean and should never leave a varnish behind. It's one of the few advantages of propane over gasoline or diesel.
 
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