RV fridge shuts off when traveling, any cures?

[DUNE RACER]

My '94 camper has a Dometic 3 way fridge that works great while parked but when I try to run it while driving the check light comes on and it shuts off.



The owners manual reads like it should work while in motion but I get the same results using either the LPG mode or DC which is warm food and a trip to the store

 

[Doc Tinker]

My frig is only a two way, but it works fine on LP while towing.



Did it work ok with your old truck?



Does your trailer sit level while towing? If not, you might have to flip the axles to level it out.

 

[Barry]

Refrigerators are a necessary pain the the roids. Let me see if I can give you some ideas. First, could be a pc board that shuts down as you bounce down the road. Second, a loose connection that momentarily shuts off power to the gas valve solenoid. Third, the little burner light is getting blown out by excess wind getting to it. (check your little access panel)And are you sure you have plenty propane and have bled the lines to get any air out?? Given the age of the unit,(avg. life of RV frig is 10 years)and from the sounds of the problem, I'd bet electrical. ie pc board or loose connection... ..... Happy Camping

 

[FMcClaren]

There,s a good poll . How many of you guys tow

with your frig running on LP?

I did at one time, Then I seen a trailer on the side

of the road in flames, not a pretty site. We couldn,t

even get close enough to unhook the truck. Nobody got

hurt but they lost everything.

We have a 2 way frig. So we keep a large plastic dish

with a lid ,full of water in the freezer and put it in the lower

compartment when we headout ln the morning. works for us.



Have a good one

Frank

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Duneracer - This is a common problem with Dometic fridges of that era. I have a Dometic 2 way in my '93 Fireside that was doing the same thing. There is a fix out for it - you have to replace a PC board and rewire a few things. Most RV places STOCK the kit! It cost me about $120 for the kit and took me 30 minutes to install. I now run down the road with the propane on no problem.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

You can find info on the circuit board update along with the wiring harness here - http://www.rvmobile.com/TECH/TROUBLE/2807tronics.htm

 

[Ron Bissett]

Try this link www.rverscorner.com Ron in Louisville KY

 

[Lil' Dog]

Originally posted by FMcClaren

There,s a good poll . How many of you guys tow

with your frig running on LP?

I did at one time, Then I seen a trailer on the side

of the road in flames, not a pretty site. We couldn,t

even get close enough to unhook the truck. Nobody got

hurt but they lost everything.

We have a 2 way frig. So we keep a large plastic dish

with a lid ,full of water in the freezer and put it in the lower

compartment when we headout ln the morning. works for us.



Have a good one

Frank

I always shut the LP off during travel, it was stipulated in the manual and I am of the same opinion.

Heck, I have a 1967 16ft Travelaire and it has a 1 way fridge and we have to do the same, keep a freezer buddy in the lower compartments during travel...

 

[DUNE RACER]

Thanks guys, I can always count on help here. I've ruled out any simple problems like bad connections etc. but I had not heard of an update kit for the PC board, I'm definatly going to check it out. I've tried putting ice in a tub to keep it cool but still get real nervous eating the potato salad

 

[Ted W. Hazen]

I trravel extensively during the Winter months and always turn my propane off at the tanks. I firmly believe that most of the RV's we see burned on the side of the road are ones that had their propane turned on and a leak developed because of constant movement. All it needs is an ignition source which you have provided by leaving the refer on. I was told early on in my travels that by leaving the refer door closed as much as possible will keep things inside at a safe temperature for up to eight hours or more. I have found this to be true and the piece of mind having the propane turned off is worth a lot.

 

[MGire]

I have also been having the same problem with my Dometic RM2612 Freedom refrigerator. The gas would blow out when driving. This is not a problem if you are only on the road 8 or 9 hours then pull into camp to stay for a few days. But this summer we traveled for three days, first night in Barstow, CA. 106 degrees and only cooled of to mid 80's overnight. The refrigerator was unable to recover fully by the next morning, then on the road again to Flagstaff, AZ. Again the frige was out for 8 or 9 hours, everything just a little more warmer. Next day on the road for 10 hours to Durango, CO. Milk spoiled etc. throw out all the food. Parked in durango for a week, refrigerator works fine. Back on the road again to head up to Utah, but first get out the duct tape and seal off the outside vent door. On the road for 9 hours and the flame stays on, no problem. At the campground I prop open the door about 3 inches and everything works fine. When I get home I go to talk to my RV dealer and he mentions the dinosaur board and also to make sure there is a tight seal all around the outer edge of the refrigerator on the inside of the RV, and that there are no holes on the inside of the refrigerator e. g. where the temp probe wire goes thru it. He said as long as the duct tape worked just to leave it alone.

 

[Fireman Dave]

I tow with it off.

I used to tow my pop-up with the refr. running on gas. When I got my new TT this year, I re-evaluated and decided to tow with it off and the gas valves closed. I decided that in the event of an accident, I'd rather have those valves closed for added safety. We towed to CA and back in June (over 5,000 miles) with some very hot days. Even on the hottest (90-95 deg. ) days, the refr. kept everything plenty cool over a 10 hour towing day. Even the frozen stuff was alright. The larger refr. is better insulated - a pop-up refr. probably wouldn't fare so well under this practice. Also, I would sometimes fire up the fridge if we were parked for lunch for an hour or so.