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Old 09-12-2013, 03:39 PM   #1
katiegreeniz
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Newbie question about running fridge when not plugged in.

I'm having an issue trying to get my brand new Sprinter's Dometic fridge to run on gas alone. I want to get it cold the night before a trip so I can stock it, and I also want to make sure that when it goes spring seasonal that if the campground loses power the gas will back it up. So far I can't get the gas to work and I can only get it to run when plugged in.

Steps I've taken:

1. Turn fridge to ON and depress AUTO button so it is on GAS

2. Turned on Stove to make sure propane was working (ok-works)


Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong or what I need to do to make it work? I've read the manual and that didn't help. Thanks in advance!
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Old 09-12-2013, 04:14 PM   #2
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I had the same problem on my first trip out and my answer came back to propane pressure. Yes the stove works, but does it really? Seems the propane regulator is picky about how fast you turn it on. Too fast, it does something to limit the flow which our fridges don't like. Since I've discovered the issue, I've turned on my propane VERY SLOWLY, and haven't had a problem since. I followed the following (which I found somewhere) to correct the limited flow problem:

Resolution:

1. Shut off gas valves to tank(s) if you have more than 1. In my case I have (2) 30 lb tanks with one regulator with a manual divert-er controlling both.

2. Disconnect the gas line to the tank(s), notice you may be able to hear the gas bled from the hose.

3. Ensure your regulator is on for the primary tank (or the tank that has gas and you want to draw from).

4. Reconnect both tanks.

5. Very slowly turn the gas back on, you should be able to hear the gas recharge the line.

6. Now hit the on/off switch to turn on your hot water or furnace.
(Or fridge!)


What just happened?



Apparently (by my assessment) the gas regulators control the flow of gas from the tanks to devices...dah. The regulator internal valves sometimes will stick or malfunction. Hence...no gas flow to devices that require high-volume, i.e. furnace or hot water heater. Your stove doesn't require high-volume. By releasing the gas from the lines it also releases the internal valve pressure from the regulator. Hence resetting the regulator."

Hope this helps!
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Old 09-12-2013, 05:24 PM   #3
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You are a gem! Thank so much-your instructions were totally newbie friendly and I can't wait to try it out in the morning. I'll keep you posted!
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Old 09-12-2013, 06:08 PM   #4
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It's a safety feature built into each new propane tank.
In fact you can disconnect a tank from the trailer and turn the valve on and NO FLOW of propane. If the regulator senses too fast a flow it shuts down the tank to prevent loss of gas and explosion.
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Old 09-12-2013, 06:43 PM   #5
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Just passing on what I've learned from this great forum if ours. What we all do without it?


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Old 03-21-2014, 05:47 AM   #6
katiegreeniz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by katiegreeniz View Post
I'm having an issue trying to get my brand new Sprinter's Dometic fridge to run on gas alone. I want to get it cold the night before a trip so I can stock it, and I also want to make sure that when it goes spring seasonal that if the campground loses power the gas will back it up. So far I can't get the gas to work and I can only get it to run when plugged in.

Steps I've taken:

1. Turn fridge to ON and depress AUTO button so it is on GAS

2. Turned on Stove to make sure propane was working (ok-works)


Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong or what I need to do to make it work? I've read the manual and that didn't help. Thanks in advance!
Well, our issue is finally resolved just in time before the season starts. We brought the camper in for some warrantee work, and asked for help with the fridge/auto issue, and it turns out the LP for the fridge was never switched on from the manufacturer and apparently without knowing much about it, we wouldn't have been able to fix it on our own. I guess it's something that should have been addressed during our new owner inspection but was overlooked. Thanks for the help everyone, we tried all of your tips and then some.
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Our Trips
7/2012 Maple Park Campground, Wareham MA
9/2012 Saco KOA Campground, Old Orchard Beach, ME
9/2012 Bayview Campground, Bourne, MA
9/2012 Northampton KOA, Westhampton, MA
8/2013-10/2013 Sandy Pond Campground, South Plymouth, MA
4/2014-10/2014 Sandy Pond Campground, South Plymouth, MA
6/2015-7/2015 Sandy Pond Campground, South Plymouth, MA
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Old 03-21-2014, 07:48 AM   #7
W.E.BGood
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Question...where is the "switch" to turn on the LP to the fridge?
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Old 03-21-2014, 10:53 AM   #8
katiegreeniz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W.E.BGood View Post
Question...where is the "switch" to turn on the LP to the fridge?
we were lead to believe that there are 2.

one being hard to access and one directly at the tanks.

the service manager was out when we picked it up, and tech's were at lunch. hubby is going to call early next week to find out the exact details, but according to them the tech's turned it on? i'll update when i know more.
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Our Trips
7/2012 Maple Park Campground, Wareham MA
9/2012 Saco KOA Campground, Old Orchard Beach, ME
9/2012 Bayview Campground, Bourne, MA
9/2012 Northampton KOA, Westhampton, MA
8/2013-10/2013 Sandy Pond Campground, South Plymouth, MA
4/2014-10/2014 Sandy Pond Campground, South Plymouth, MA
6/2015-7/2015 Sandy Pond Campground, South Plymouth, MA
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Old 03-21-2014, 07:20 PM   #9
jtyphoid
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My Norcold has a 1/4 turn gas shutoff valve right next to the gas supply line fitting on the back. It has a very small handle, so it's easy to overlook.
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Old 03-22-2014, 05:34 AM   #10
jsmith948
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Please do yourself a favor and search the forum on this issue. There are several threads regarding the LP regulator and its automatic change-over feature.
As stated previously, there is a certain sequence that must be followed when turning on the propane tanks.
It sounds to me that the tech/service guy simply turned your regulator manually to the other tank and then selected "gas" on your fridge control. On our Dometic, there is only one switch. The only control "by the tanks" is the regulator.
We had trouble with our LP 'pigtails' that connect the tanks to the regulator which prevented a full flow of gas. You might look into that, but, first I would make sure you have opened the valves correctly, as has already been suggested. Good luck
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