Troubleshooting A Dometic RV Refrigerator That's Not Working On Propane
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- Опубліковано 7 січ 2019
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Certified Mobile RV Technician, Darren Koepp, troubleshoots a Dometic RV refrigerator that is not working on propane. In this instance, the electrode wire was damaged and shorting out and therefore the burner was unable to ignite.
If you are in need of RV Repairs in the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state, submit a service request on our website at myrvworks.com today!
Man you saved the day! Just bought this year old camper and the fridge wouldn't run on gas, watched the video and went to work trouble shooting, the gas valve was vertical not horizontal! Turned the valve, works like a charm! You da man! Love UA-cam!
Thank you Darren, I was able to fix my fridge I had some technicians coming to check it out? They made me to get a new mother board, I had to change it myself, still didn’t worked and told me I had to change my fridge and the problem was very simple the valve was off I figured out just by watching your video , I can’t believe how simple the problem was and how people try to scam us new campers, thanks for the video once again and wish you lots of blessings
Same situation here, just turned the valve, I’m hoping that was the issue!! Replaced all new boards, front and back, turns out it was just this? I’ll be in awe.
Minnesotan with a new (old) RV here. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us. Love your humor and your style!
Darren is amazing person, who has helped me via remote assistance from the USA! I am UK based and I have contacted him after my fridge stopped cooling. Unfortunately cooling unit is not reparable and getting part to the UK is very expensive. I would recommend Darren to anyone who has any issues with RVs, he is full of knowledge and knows 100% what he is doing! 5 *
Hey Bro-fessor Koepp, you're a gentleman and a scholar! You put out the very best of educational videos of any kind on the planet. Hands stinking down! You belong on national TV brother! Your work and productions are very much appreciated.
Thank you for this video. I was able to make a simple diagnosis for my dometic fridge by watching this. Your information is clear and concise!
What a great tip on that reset button, i went 3 days trying everything including ordeing a new board. All i had to do is press that reset switch on the burner. Thank You Thank You
I found it helpful to have an overview/summary of the sequence of what happens to start the flame: 1. a control unit, 2. activates ignition module, 3. generates spark & 4. opens gas valve, and flame then lights to 5. satisfy the flame being lit via ionization probe at the burner so the spark stops. Getting this from John B.: Ideal Boiler Function + . . . In addition to the VERY good videos at MYRVWORKS about how to check the various components made a big difference to me. ALSO: I suspect some of the online manuals may be a bit out of date because my Dometic 8501 on a 2018 R-Pod 179 has a Polyswitch showing Typ: P870 rather than the P860 and the display on front of the refrig is different. Gas burner lighting processes are very similar whether water tank heating, furnace, or refrigerator. Darren is my favorite RV expert!!!
Thanks Darren. Your video was really easy to follow and will allow me to diagnose my fridge problems in the field the next time.
Hello Darren & thanks for the informative video. I hope you will do another in the future that would go start to finish on diagnosing issues on propane side of the refrigerator. This video was excellent but you found the problem so quickly there was no need to go further! Excellent video though and you are a wonderful instructor.
My fridge stopped working, I watched your video which gave me an understanding of the fridge, when I took the shield off the igniter, there were chunks of carbon blocking where the flame goes up. Cleaned those out and it works fine! Thanks for the help.
i didn't want to break the access panel to the burner compartment but you made it look easy. the high temp reset button was tripped and i had some trash near igniter. working perfect now. you were very clear explaining the troubleshoot. thanks!
I just had to tell you your video was more helpful than the forum post I put on RV net trying to get similar information. you analysis the system and come up with a logical solution. As an engineer I can relate to that. Which I followed along with and was able to repair my unit successfully. RV net people kept telling me to hard wire heating element. if I am not getting power to the jumpers supplying the heating element, that's my first issue …. if I am getting power and its still not cooling well then yes we need to check the element, Long story short replaced the main board upper board and thermistor and its working like new. turns out I think the upper board was all that was bad but I did it all. SO THANK YOU for your video!
I always learn something. There is a magic when someone shares a point of view or makes you think a thought you've never thought before... I've never considered the drip line being a LEAK to the outside before. If I had a 10mm - 15mm hole in the front of my fridge door, you better believe I'd plug it.
I helped a friend with her dometic frig. After several minutes of head scratching the problem was staring me in my face. There was a mut daubers nest in the burner tube. It was so well formed that it looked like it belonged there. After I removed the plug, the burner lit and functioned well. Thanks for all the great information.
Thanks for the video, Darren. I recently bought a small camper and the refrigerator was working prior to moving it. Once I moved it over to my house to start cleaning and whatnot, the refrigerator won't turn on. I am learning a lot from your channel, sure hope it's something simple. Thanks again.
Hi Michael,
When you state it is not working - not working on electric, not working on LP or not working on either?
A simple thing to check - there will be 12 VDC feeding the control board on the back of the frig. Verify that you have 12 VDC at that point and you may find a fuse on the frig control board as well. Also don’t forget the breaker/fuse panel (in the coach) too.
If you do not have 12 VDC feeding the control board, try to determine where the trail stops. After you verify the fuses you may find on some Dometic refrigerators there is a high temp reset on the boiler (chimney looking thing). Also, on some there is a thermal fuse that is tucked back behind the main burner. Those are two areas you may find the 12 Volt trail ending.
Let me know what you find and what model frig you are working with and I can help take this further if you are still stuck.
Another resource for you is on my website we are creating an online manual library. Here is the link. I don’t have all my manuals uploaded yet but keep checking. myrvworks.com/manuals/
Cheers,
Darren Koepp
It is always best to watch a professional. Thanks, I learned something today!
My husband followed your instructions and the refrigerator took right off and works perfectly now. Thanks for the info !!!!
What did yours end up needing to repair?
Thanks for the video! Mine quit on both 120v and LP, turned out the high temp cutout got tripped (was only 116*F yesterday) and shut the whole operation down! In this situation without the exact wire to replace you could easily butt splice a fresh section of appropriate wire in.
*Works great **Fastly.Cool** compact and Easy to install*
Very informative. Thanks so much for posting this. I've got the same issue with a Dometic RM3804 and am here just doing a little research before I dig into it. I hope my issue is as simple as this one turned out to be. This is my first foray into RV fridge repair so I've got a learning curve to overcome, but I've been down that road before with RV furnaces, water heaters and solar/battery systems with good success, so am looking forward to learning about these fridges. I'm so thankful for UA-cam and videos like yours. Thanks again.
A little more information on my problem. I bought this used Alpenlite in 2009 and the former owners had replaced the refrigerator right before I bought it. I took it home and turned it on and it has worked fine all these years, but it has always been on AC power. I am now going to take the rig on the road and discovered that if I switch it to LP, I get an error light and no flame. I never heard the piezo ignition coming on but then again I was inside the rig so am not sure if it tried to light or not. The manual gas valve doesn't have a knob on it so I am not sure if it's in the "on" or "off" position. I will do some troubleshooting on it today and hope to have better information later.
@@garylewis327
Hello, I have just gotten a used Alpenlite and am working through the glitches in the appliances, got the fridge working on 110v but not yet on the LPgas.... how did your troubleshooting work out???
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated !! Thanks
This video helped me find the *two* issues that were preventing my fridge from working on LP gas. Thanks!
My high limit thermostat button was popped out. Reset it and solved my problem! I am most grateful to you. Thank you for helping me solve my problem!
Thank you so much for your videos. I was able to repair my dometic refrigerator myself and saved tons of money!
THANK YOU! You helped tremendously. My fridge was powering on and I troubleshot it with your help. The problem ended up being that I had no gas in the tank, lol, but I went through your troubleshooting and I determined that the spark was good, so I knew the issue was not the refrigerator itself, it was something before it. Then me, being the dinklebrain I am, realized my propane tank might have been empty. So I exchanged it with a known full tank and voila!
Thank you. The video was very helpful. My fridge stopped working at 5:30 am. Checked propane and it was fine. Put new hoses on and now to follow your video to see what the heck is wrong with mine.
thanks for the video .My check light was on and I do not know what I did but I followed what you did and somewhere along the way it started working. Thanks again.
Great help in this video. Solved my issue by watching. (It was the button between the two wires.). Thanks Darren!!
Thank you so much you just fixed my refrigerator! It’s 110 F here thank you!!!
Awesome. Thank you so much. Mine was sparking but not igniting. I just blew and the pilot lit right up! So I blew the whole area and it works great now. 😊
I don’t own an RV and I’m not sure how I got here but it was an interesting video with a good resolution in the end. 👍
That was awesome.! Thank you soo much. My domestic fridge in our new to us (1988 citation) isn't working on either electric or gas (bought it that way). It does however make fridge noises when turned to electric but still not cooling. I'm thinking it needs a new one 😆 but still cant wait to check points you showed here. Thank you for making it seem easy to a newbie!
Pretty awesome. Nice you covered so much. I was able to get my gas side working I think, or it's only the pilot. The themistat was popped out and when I push it back in the gas side worked. The electric won't come on tho, as when on auto the gas seems to shut off, and the electric side if it's working I don't know.
I just had the same problem. Thank you sir for showing how to fix it as I am leaving in minutes to go camping.
Thank you for helping me fix my fridge!
Nice break down of the unit. Very helpful
Thank you. Your video helped me better understand how my fridge works. Very helpful 👍.
That was the best videoing I’ve seen on your videos. I could see where your probes were touching because of close enough- close ups. It’s not always easy to see close ups on videos that demonstrate control board diagnostics.
Great troubleshooting. Easy fix.
Excellent. I learned a few important things relating to my situation and how to fix it. Thanks.
Nice to see tech video that makes sense. Good Job!
Wow! This video solved my problem! I have the same fridge and was having the same problem. My igniter wire was grounding too, I just moved it away from the gas line and it lit right up!! I just wrapped it with electrical tape and all good!!
Hi Tim,
We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks
Happy Camping,
My RV Works Media Team
Thank you my friend, I just fixed my fridge watching your video. You are awesome...God Bless You.
What was your cause of not working?
Darren you nailed it, thank you Sir! I had no idea there was a dealio reset on that chimney above the pilot. Bingo! Muchos Gracias Amigo!
Just saved my bacon too.
I have a refrigerator has to freeze every thing in it. And tell what is & what do.wire in back of refrigerator
Thank you for the video. Fixed my fridge at 11pm. With a planned trip in the morning.
2:48 "furgerator" lol. Video actually helped me out a lot. Thanks!
much appreciated, it educated me and gave me the guts to check further and try to diagnose my problem! thumbs up!
Thank you, big help!
Awsome, and professional technician.Thankyou for being humble to get the job done!
Our pleasure!
The video will help me trying to solve the same issue. 2019 trailer where the Dometic freezer/fridge works on electric but not on propane. Looking inside helps immensely. Now to figure out how to remove the cover.
Thanks for everything ... I’m pretty handy but your videos make it a snap. Keep up the great work and videos
Thank you so much! That little black reset switch got my fridge going again :)
Me too!!
Super easy to install really fast deliveryThank you
Very helpful video, thank you! You recommended creating a P-trap with the drain tube. How do you recommend go about doing that? I don’t want to bend it too much, or weave it around the piping because it’s hot and I worry that the plastic might melt.
Thank you for the RV refrigerator repair lesson...
Auto light is On. Fridge is moderately cold, no sound coming from unit at all. Used to frost up. Will check gas side and power side thx to your excellent advice:)))
Thank you for all your videos !
Thank you. Fridge not working on LP, no ignition. Pulled the two connectors on the upper left of the c/b off, shortly had clicks & flame. Gas LED on the AUTO / GAS vertical LEDs not working, but oh well. If I had a rivet gun & some AL rivets, I'd investigate, but as they say, if it's not broke (other than the light) don't fix it.
This Video Helped me Troubleshoot
Thank you!
definitely a new subscriber here awesome instruction
Thank you for helping me out.
Thank you Daren!
Most helpful vid I've seen so far! Thanks for the help!
How funny I was trying to sort out my fridge you popped up I used to live in PA in 1984 I was an an Australian Exchange student ...
You saved our camping trip!!!
Thanks a bunch. I disassembled the LP burner section to check for spark as in your video only to discover a chunk of carbon sitting on the burner blocking the flow of LP. It must have fallen from the "chimney" above on our drive home as the fridge had worked just hours before when we left camp. It works great now but I'm curious why that carbon deposit was there.
reset fixed it for me @ 2:40, thanks!
Helpful video. Thank you. Did you notice what looked like a small dead bird on the lower right corner of the burner area?
Hi Dennis,
I watched the video again! Note: What I was looking for on the board is the DC fuse which this board did not have so it flustered me.
That ‘bird’ is a big glob of sealant. They have another one where the gas line comes through the base board. If it were a bird, I am sure I would have made some wise crack about it (and I am sure it would have smelled really bad)! LOL.
It was scary that that wire short was right at the gas fitting, if there had been a leak there it would have been a very different experience for the customer for sure eh’.
Thanks for watching!!!
Cheers,
Darren Koepp
We have a 3 way Dometic Refrigerator from the 70's that freezes everything. There is a bulb type temperature sensor inside the refrigerator that goes to a combination gas and electric thermostat in the propane line to the burner. Have you done a video on troubleshooting that thermostat? I like your videos as you explain things clearly.
Many thanks, just the information I was looking for.
Awesome video. You helped me a lot. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! You helped me troubleshoot my fridge!
Glad we could help!
This was really helpful to me. I got it to light 🕯️ and we will see if it stays.
Great video!!! Thanks brother!!
Great video, very informative. Thanks!
Good video. Very informative. Like your style homie.
Great video, and helped me determine my ac heating element was bad. Bought a new one, that appears to be an exact match. Although the bad one was a little difficult to remove, I was able to get it out. The new one is extremely hard to get pushed in all the way. I managed to get it about half way in after two hours of wiggling and pulling. Any tips on how to free it up so that it will go in easier?
This kind of video is the best. The actual problem with my Dometic might be something else, but after watching this, I am now unafraid to dive in!
Many thanks, saving me grief and treasure!
Thank you now I can check my frige
thank you so much ...you just save my food and that was good stuff from polish deli .
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Awesome videos. I've learned so much from you. I'm having an issue with the dometic RM2652. It trips the GFCI in my garage every time I turn it on. Think you could do a video on diagnosing electrical problems?
Than you so much!!! Sneaky hidden reset!!!
The black button! Such an easy fix, greatly relieved after preparing for the worst. Many thanks 🥰
Thanks for sharing
You made a very helpful video
Ive jad rhis issue on several units lately. I kust cut the wire, slipped on heavy dity marine grade heat ahrink tubing with adhesive, connected the wire back together, and applied the heat shrink. More durable than a replacement and cheaper.
I can't thank you enough for this video. I was able to check everything and confirm I had power to everything but it just would never go tick tick tick tick tick tick tick...I also had propane to the gas stove and heater so that wasn't the issue. I buttoned it all up and went out later after it had warmed up and thought I would look at it again. I unplugged the shore power, came around the corner and heard it going tick tick tick and it finally lit after about 20-30 seconds! It was cold out in the morning, about 33 degrees, it had warmed up in the afternoon to around 62 degrees. Could there have been some moisture that turned to ice crystals that was preventing it from igniting or even trying to ignite? Weird but this video helped me confirm that for all intents and purposes, it should have lit! Thank you!!!
PS. I forgot to add that this is a brand new unit and I was taking it out for it's first trip and I had already tested that it would function on both AC power and propane so it's not like it never worked.
Dometic RM3801 appears to have a reverse pulse send to the gas solenoid when you turn off the power from the front panel.
Mine continues to cool/run with propane even after the thermostat shuts off.
I even disconnected the plug to the gas solenoid and the flame continued until I tapped on the valve.
If I shut the power switch off, it always closes the gas valve.
Diagnosis is a burr or gunk on the plunger or a broken return spring.
Going to take the unit apart and investigate.
Gas valve stays on until panel power switch is shut off.
Very interesting.
Great video
well done!
Thanks that did help me.
*48000* people have watched this *Dometic!* I've just carted one of your fridges out to the Essex coast to be used in a holiday home initially not to work through.... A piece of filter paper like wadding stuck in the gas inlet hole, I imagine from manufacture, which could have been potentially very dangerous. Having cleared that out using a screw I was then stuck with a fridge that still didn't work despite 2 ever more drastic attempts to shorten pipe length thinking that the problem might have been a pressure issue but down to about 30 cm & still no joy!
Totally hacked off as had been expecting & mates demanding ice cold beers for beach Barbie!
Hi Darren, great videos, very informative and easy to follow, especially to us laymen. My question to you is, I have a Dometic RM2862 that works great on A/C and LP while parked. However, when we hit the road and travel on LP only, the temp in the fridge raises from about 38-42 to a whopping 50-60, depending on how far we've travelled and the outside temp. The freezer section appears to change very little, only the Fridge section takes the hit. I'm guessing possible air turbulence to the burner or something similar. Your thoughts.
driving down the road on LP, the flame can be blown out and then system restarts and this can happen many times reducing the efficiency on running with propane while driving. Also this is how many rigs catch on fire going down the road
Thanks men 🙏
Solid.
Thank you.
Gratitude from Cle Elum Washington. Patient troubleshoot repairs all things, heh.
Thanks for this vid. If the high limit thermostat keeps tripping, is there a sequence to diagnose?
Hi Darren totally helpful find my reset button hiding from Nicaragua mountains we fallow yours videos thanks so much next hiding fuses some where front panel Sunova istaca Rv 2003??? Gracias mil Abrigado amigo
Good job.