Camping at Altitude

[Tin]

There are three major factors that affect propane appliances at altitude
• Altitude ( decrease in oxygen )
• Temperature
• Wind
Propane appliances are dependent on air/fuel ratio to function. Since there is less oxygen at higher elevations, appliances require less fuel (propane). In the past manufactures provided smaller orifices designed for use at high altitude to decrease the amount fuel (propane) and correct the air/fuel ratio.
From our experience the two main appliances affected are the fridge and water heater. In order to adjust the air/fuel ratio at altitude I use a manometer and adjust the propane regulator (clockwise to increase) to 12"w.c., I then mark the outside edge of the regulator to indicate the position of the adjustment screw. Next I adjust the propane regulator (counter clockwise to decrease) to 10"w.c., and again mark the outside edge of the regulator to indicate the position of the adjustment screw.
From our experience at 8,000 to 10,000 ft elevations the propane regulator set between 10" to 10.5 w.c. seems to work best. At lower elevations 12"w.c. works great, ultimately you will find what works best for you.
On the fridge I will also adjust the sheet metal wind guard to allow more air in for combustion.
On the water heater the electrode gap sometimes needs minor adjustments.
Good Luck.
Tin

[MyronL]

Wonder if your suggested regulator adjustments for altitude will apply to my evil Dometic RM8551. If we could only get out there for a long weekend up in the mountains-- I will then give it the test. Would be nice to put my plans for a Nova Kool on hold.

[fudge_brownie]

Myron, I have the evil twin to your 8551. My RMD 8555 will not work consistently at 9,000 feet and 32 degrees. This morning at 12:30 it started alarming due to a flameout. The recommendations that Tin mentions above are all good ones and I have tried all of them. With my model of refrigerator I had success 2 out of 12 nights. Using a manometer I tried a range of setting, mostly 9.7 column inches. The successful nights were using 11.6. I do not have much confidence in my model.

I know we have shared our 855X stories over the years. After five years I finally achieved some semblance of a working refrigerator. Actually not too bad, other than this recent “altitude sickness” the only known issue is side winds blowing into the outside vent while driving.

With the colder temps this time of year my only issue was melted or soft ice cream.

[MyronL]

All this is one reason why I finally broke down and bought a generator.

[fudge_brownie]

Now you only have to deal with how your generator handles altitude��

[fudge_brownie]

What make and model of refrigerator did you use for your test?

Originally Posted by Tin

There are three major factors that affect propane appliances at altitude
• Altitude ( decrease in oxygen )
• Temperature
• Wind
Propane appliances are dependent on air/fuel ratio to function. Since there is less oxygen at higher elevations, appliances require less fuel (propane). In the past manufactures provided smaller orifices designed for use at high altitude to decrease the amount fuel (propane) and correct the air/fuel ratio.
From our experience the two main appliances affected are the fridge and water heater. In order to adjust the air/fuel ratio at altitude I use a manometer and adjust the propane regulator (clockwise to increase) to 12"w.c., I then mark the outside edge of the regulator to indicate the position of the adjustment screw. Next I adjust the propane regulator (counter clockwise to decrease) to 10"w.c., and again mark the outside edge of the regulator to indicate the position of the adjustment screw.
From our experience at 8,000 to 10,000 ft elevations the propane regulator set between 10" to 10.5 w.c. seems to work best. At lower elevations 12"w.c. works great, ultimately you will find what works best for you.
On the fridge I will also adjust the sheet metal wind guard to allow more air in for combustion.
On the water heater the electrode gap sometimes needs minor adjustments.
Good Luck.
Tin

[Tin]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Wonder if your suggested regulator adjustments for altitude will apply to my evil Dometic RM8551. If we could only get out there for a long weekend up in the mountains-- I will then give it the test. Would be nice to put my plans for a Nova Kool on hold.

Myron, its worth a try and easy to do, it does require tinkering and patience.
good luck.
Tin

[Tin]

Frudge Brownie, We have a 2nd gen 5.0 with a Dometic Americana DM 2663LB. I love this frig it works flawlessly at elevations of -280 ft to 10,000 ft. There are two exception I have found at high altitude, low temperatures ( in the 20's) and wind. This normally occurs late night so I just turn the frig off, then restart in the morning. Hope this helps.
Tin