Fridge Propane Problem

[John in Santa Cruz]

24F is barely cold enough for a freezer.... my compressor freezer runs 0-5F

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

24F is barely cold enough for a freezer.... my compressor freezer runs 0-5F

I was hoping it was on its way down

[Rossue]

My Dometic RMD 10.5XT absorption freezer ia at 9 degrees. Fridge at 40.

Not everyone wants a compressor fridge with all the significant battery capacity required- especially boondockers like ourselves who primarily go out in shoulder seasons.

[AllanEdie]

E21 here, ~four years, zero problems. We love the fridge.

Previous Northern Lite camper, maybe fifteen years, constant need to clean orifice, done both mechanically and with solvent. As I recall, it needed cleaning every couple years, with about 8 weeks of use per year. Different fridge, very different issue. Good thing the orifice fitting was easily accessible in the camper. A friend of ours has a VW camper van. The orifice fitting is not accessible without removing the fridge, which for her meant a ~$300 bill each time. She gave up on it entirely and used it as a cupboard.

[SkipperClyde]

Originally Posted by Sailingmiker

Did you clean the orifice? My Dometic has lit but not cooled twice now. Each time it didn't cool while lit I shut it off and cleaned the orifice with alcohol and then it would cool fine for a few weeks. Now trying to determine cause for the orifice becoming restricted by a black oily substance.

The black oily substance is most likely Ethyl Mercaptan. That is what puts the smell in propane and natural gas.

I built a BBQ out of a 250 gallon propane tank. There was at least an inch of Ethyl Mercaptan in the bottom of the tank. Nasty stuff.

[Ron in BC]

I've noticed comments about filters in other propane installations. I'm wondering if that's something that would be useful in Escapes. Maybe depending of where the propane is sourced from. Some folks seem to have problematic propane with more contaminants than others.

Ron

[brian stethem]

Perhaps you're turning the propane on too quickly? There's a check valve in it. And it if you turn it on too fast it thinks perhaps the hose is broken and it shuts the propane off

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by brian stethem

Perhaps you're turning the propane on too quickly? There's a check valve in it. And it if you turn it on too fast it thinks perhaps the hose is broken and it shuts the propane off

I have that problem a lot with my portable bbq, and my firepit, but not so much on the Escape.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by Rossue

My Dometic RMD 10.5XT absorption freezer ia at 9 degrees. Fridge at 40.

Not everyone wants a compressor fridge with all the significant battery capacity required- especially boondockers like ourselves who primarily go out in shoulder seasons.

I looked for an RMD 10.5XT but they seem to be out of production and out of stock.

[rvbill]

Originally Posted by JohnK

The orifice should never be cleaned mechanically such as inserting anything into it. MEK or some strong solvent of some kind is appropriate.

Just one more thought apart from the orifice: I have sometimes had to tap on the plumbing/valve area behind the fridge from the exterior access opening to get the valve to open so gas flows. I have also found that bicycle chain spray lubricant keeps that valve lubricated enough to where it does not require tapping to vibrate it open.

Bonne Chance!

John

How do you apply the bicycle chain lub to the valve? It looks pretty well sealed up to me. Thanks

[rotorbudd]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

24F is barely cold enough for a freezer.... my compressor freezer runs 0-5F

I insulated the walls and roof of the fridge cabinet when I had to remove it for "burping". i precooled it overnight before our last trip and when I came out the next morning it was -11f and 17f.
That will turn your icecream into concrete!