Dometic 3-way fridge won't cool

[Sierra86]

Hi All,

I took my PUP out this weekend for the first time.  I did a test run with all of the appliances the weekend before.  I plugged the PUP into the house power and turned on the 120V for the fridge.  It started getting cold so I thought eveything was working.  When I arrived at the CG I followed the instructions on how to lite the pilot for running the fridge on LPG and I saw a flame so I thought it would be golden.  But it never got cold.  I felt the exhaust on the back of the fridge and it was warm.  I used the heater, inside and outside stoves and the water heater so I know the gas is working.  The PUP was level too.  So I started the generator and switched the LPG off on the fridge and switched on the 120V and it started getting cold.  

Any ideas on why the LPG won't work on the fridge?  By the way, I have an 07 Fleetwood E3 with the Dometic 3-way R2193 fridge.  Any help would be appreicated.  

Thanks,
Darren

[wavery]

Hi All,

I took my PUP out this weekend for the first time.  I did a test run with all of the appliances the weekend before.  I plugged the PUP into the house power and turned on the 120V for the fridge.  It started getting cold so I thought eveything was working.  When I arrived at the CG I followed the instructions on how to lite the pilot for running the fridge on LPG and I saw a flame so I thought it would be golden.  But it never got cold.  I felt the exhaust on the back of the fridge and it was warm.  I used the heater, inside and outside stoves and the water heater so I know the gas is working.  The PUP was level too.  So I started the generator and switched the LPG off on the fridge and switched on the 120V and it started getting cold.  

Any ideas on why the LPG won't work on the fridge?  By the way, I have an 07 Fleetwood E3 with the Dometic 3-way R2193 fridge.  Any help would be appreicated.  

Thanks,
Darren

Sounds like you covered everything pretty well. What # is the propane set on, on the fridge control?? If you used the factory recommendation, it should get cold.

When you feel the chimney while on 110v, it should be hot. When it is on propane, it should be even hotter.

[austinado16]

You might want to fire it up on LPG and take a look at the flame.  You should have a nice fat blue flame and it should stay that way.  It should not dim down, or flicker/flutter.

Checking your propane pressure is another good idea.  You want 11" water column of pressure and it's easy to test and adjust.  Look up my thread from about 2 months ago where I give instructions and pictures of how to make a manometer.

Here's how the flame in my Dometic 2190 looks....

[wavery]

You might want to fire it up on LPG and take a look at the flame.  You should have a nice fat blue flame and it should stay that way.  It should not dim down, or flicker/flutter.

Checking your propane pressure is another good idea.  You want 11" water column of pressure and it's easy to test and adjust.  Look up my thread from about 2 months ago where I give instructions and pictures of how to make a manometer.

Here's how the flame in my Dometic 2190 looks....

Austin,

The later Dometics have a flame that is VERY hard to see. I guess that's why they stay lit so well.

[austinado16]

Austin,

The later Dometics have a flame that is VERY hard to see. I guess that's why they stay lit so well.

That's a bummer!  I'll bet that can make it tough to diagnose an LP problem.

[Sierra86]

Thanks for the replies.  Could being at an elevation of 8200 ft. cause the fridge not to work?  I know it was lit because I could see the side of the blue flame from the view hole.  I couldn't see the whole flame but just the side.  I tried the temp setting at 0, 4-5, and 7 and didn't get anything.  The propane tanks were brand new and I had filled them for the first time before we headed up.  Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[austinado16]

I think 8200' would certainly affect flame quality by starving it for air and therefore reducing quality(and heat) of the burn.

The next test would be to fire it up at home and let it run for 24hrs on LPG and see what kind of fridge temps you get.  You'll want the temp dial set towards the higher numbers if you want maximum cold.  If it works, you know you just had an altitude problem.  If it doesn't you can pursue other things....like taking the fridge out and cleaning the chimney and the riser pipe, blowing through the burner and oriface with compressed air, doing a manometer test, and all that sort of fun.

The good news is that if it worked on 120v, at least you know you have a working fridge and that you're just dealing with a heating issue on the LPG side of things.

[dcampbell1969]

I notice you said first time out.  Not sure if you allready know, but you should precool your fridge for 12-24 hours b4 leaving on a trip.  This is probably not related to the gas issue, but will help in the future.

[AustinBoston]

Could being at an elevation of 8200 ft. cause the fridge not to work?

Did you camp at 8200 feet, or go over an 8200 foot pass?

I know our fridge worked fine at 9000+ feet, but that was on 120V, not propane.  Because it is a sealed system, altitude should have no effect on the refrigeration system, but might have an effect on a propane heat source.

I would expect the propane to still burn, but be less effective.  But I am not an expert on propane at altitude.

And like D cambell said, you need to pre-chill the fridge for at least 12 hours before using.  Even the fine print on your home fridge says something like this.

Austin

[Sierra86]

We actually camped at 8200 ft. elev.  The night before we left I plugged the PUP into the house power and switched on the 120V for the fridge expecting it to cool down and remain cool until we reached the CG.  But when we popped up the trailer I opened the fridge and it wasn't the slightest cool.  It wouldn't cool from there on out.  The fridge is brand new.

I called the dealer and the tech guy wasn't there so the salesman tried to help.  He said on some models there might be a switch on the FRONT of the fridge you have to switch to select which power source your using.  I don't remember reading about a switch in the manual or remember seeing a switch on the from.  I have the Dometic R2193.  I may try the propane at home and see if it works.  

Thanks everyone!

[dcampbell1969]

I have the Niagara, so your fridge will be somewhat different.  But Mine has a dial for temp control on the top right, and the a dial for power source on the top left.  The dial has an off position and 3 more positions with a picture of a flame, plug, and battery.  I'm sure you would have noticed that, but it's worth a shot.

[srapp]

Hi Darren

Are you having trouble cooling the fridge on all settings or just the propane?  I had a similar problem a few years back when the fridge would not cool at all when running on propane.   On the advice of my dealer, I dissasembled the gas burner under the chimney with forced air and rubbing alchohol.  Once I cleaned it It worked like a charm.  Its a little tough to get at but its not that bad, and believe me I"m no mechanic. If I can do it anyone can.

However if it doesn't cool on any settings.  I'm at a bit of a loss.

Good luck

Steve

[austinado16]

Here's the link to a pdf version of the 2193's manual
http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/rm2193.pdf

Looks like the controls are gouped together, right there inside the lower exterior access door.  A switch for 12v, a switch for 120v, and then the gas knob, temp control knob, and the spark ignitor.  Pretty straight forward.

Level the camper and fire it up at home and see what you get.

[Sierra86]

Hi Darren

Are you having trouble cooling the fridge on all settings or just the propane?  

The fridge seemed to cool down when 120V is used.  The fridge is brand new.  I'll try firing it up soon at home and see if I can get it to work.