RV Fridge Maintenance - LP Gas Burner Cleanup
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video, I disassemble, inspect, and clean behind my RV refrigerator access panel. I remove and clean the LP Gas burner assembly. Then reassemble, test the gas lines for leaks and inspect the burner flame. Our fridge is a Dometic model DM2652.
Along the way, I show how I have installed fans for better cooling, give several pointers on RV fridge safety and detail various little fridge maintenance tasks. A little bit of maintenance can go a long way to prevent failures and keep the fridge running smoothly and safely.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Working with electricity and LP gas can be dangerous. This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as instructional. If you decide to do the same maintenance tasks depicted then first research and beware of the risks involved. I accept no liability. You have been warned! - Ray
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HA! SAVED ME A TRIP TO THE REPAIR SHOP! WOW I WAS BLOWN AWAY AT HOW SIMPLE THE SYSTEM IS.I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR 6 YEARS. PROBLEM SOLVED! THANKS!
I bought a 20 years old caravan, and as I'm a newbie, I'm reviewing and learning how the gas system works. My refrigerator "domestic" doesn't want to start, I hear the noise of the gas ignition, but the flame won't turn on. I'll follow the advice in the video, give it a good clean, and then come back here to tell the result. Great video. Thank you very much
Thanks, Ray.
This is exactly the video I needed to see right now.
The ‘fridge in our Keystone Passport works great on AC, but not on DC.
Even if I don’t do the work myself, I can at least look in there armed with some knowledge, and if I have to take it to a dealership, I’ll not be completely at their mercy.
Happy Camping
Great video and thanks for sharing. Last summer I installed window screen to my roof top refrigerator vent. I removed the cover, smeared JB Weld around the lip of the vent and placed a sheet of the screen on it. Once the JB Weld set I trimmed off the access, cut holes for the screws and re-attached the cover. That in conjunction with the access door screens keeps everything out. Except the occasional tiny black ants. I like your cooling fans. I may add a set this summer. Much needed for living fulltime in Florida. Safe Travels.
Ray, the only thing I don't like about your videos, is that it reminds me of what I haven't checked, yet. I'm so far behind on things. I'm hoping it will get better when we're retired in a few months, and I'll have time to fiddle with everything. I find I have a lot of free time when camping, so this looks like a good project to do during those times. Thanks and cheers!
I went through doing all of this last summer while on vacation. I was testing the fridge one more time the day before we were going to need to run it on propane while visiting a few places in between campgrounds and it smelled like fire! I got through cleaning everything and it still wasn’t getting a steady flame and kept feeling like it was going to burn the wall down. So after a hour or so of cleaning and checking things out the water heater quit. Turns out the propane regulator auto switch was on its way out and was causing all of the problems. Luckily I could grab a single grill regulator at Lowe’s for $10 to survive the rest of the week before replacing with the correct one. I now carry that single as an in case of emergency part. Good work Ray!
I remember one time a propane pig tail line failed, the little safety valve in it stuck, same thing cause weird problems. :)
This is very good, thank you! Can't believe I'm getting to the point where I'm nodding as you explain the process. Anode rods, LP gas burners, slides, solar... priceless advice for people who want to boondock and know their rigs.
thanks so much| this explanation was just the ticket for this handy but lacking the knowledge old guy. It now works a charm. much appreciated.
Glad it helped!
I did exactly this. I am a Red Seal Tradesman with a ton of Piping experience. The Fridge on Propane had issues for the past few years lighting. Last weekend it was working for a full day and decided to not light anymore. I thought it was the solenoid valve. NOPE just a good cleaning as you recommended and it works like a charm now! THANK YOU so much for the content and hope you have a great RVing season :)
Great to hear, Cheers! Ray
Excellent tutorial, Ray (or do I mean 'entertainment video'?) Really appreciate the step by step and good close-up shots of the pieces. Very helpful.
Thanks for the video! I needed to clean mine and couldn't figure out how to remove the cover over the burner. I removed the screw on top, but the cover didn't come off, so I thought there was a screw I was missing. I just needed to use a little more force! Mine is cleaned out and works on gas again!
Nice job Ray! You're absolutely the best, especially with these helpful videos. Bravo!
Thank you. :)
1/8 -3/16th of an inch gap. I did not know that. Thanks for sharing all this information..
Gun brush .357 caliber is perfect for cleaning burner tube
Another great video Ray! I do the fridge maintenance when I do the water heater maintenance once a year when we move the clocks forward. Makes it easier to remember for me. (Smoke alarm too) Cheers
Check out many more LYRV Maintenance Videos ----> www.loveyourrv.com/tag/maintenance-2/
I live in TX and mud dobbers love RVs. I put some vinyl window screen inside the exterior cover. Held it in place with a hot glue gun. Keeps the riff raff outside.
Nice tip!
This sounds like it's a good tip for both insects and rodents but not clear on how you secure the screen and then shut the outside/exterior cover. It seems it might work in many more areas than the by the LP burner.
Hi Ray! Good video for a first year full timer like me. I’ll be checking my frig this morning. Hope all is well!
Thanks Stuart :)
Thanks ray I did this to my fridge today! Nice blue flame
Nice video. I wish you would have showed us removing and re-installing the burner. I’ve not done that before, would be good for us very beginners. Thank you
Good job Ray, informative
Don't forget to check the electric connections, mine had loose ground contact when I got my unit. I check and tighten periodically.
Good tip, thanks. Cheers, Ray
Thanks Ray, seems you always come up with something interesting to share.
Great vid Ray.
I now feel confident enough to check mine out myself.
Well, as soon as the snow in Ontario melts... ...lol - Thanks!
PERFECT blue flame, Ray! I don't know how you'd adjust the gas/air ratio on that burner, though... There's no way to shut down the air intake into the burner. Also, you want to ensure that the flame does not have a [vertical] gap between the burner and the blue; you want it to "ride" on top of the metal. If it's correct [like yours is], you're getting the maximum heat value from the gas *and* it's an indicator that your gas pressure isn't too high. Otherwise, there could be unburned gas seepage which could cause your propane detector to alert.
I'm researching how to best to clean a "#58 gas jet". It's the part that Ray put tape on so no junk went inside. I've removed my #58 gas jet anf the tiny hole appears clean (I can see through it, clean circle). The PROBLEM appears on my Dometic that the flame comes from the burner back to the jet. And the flame shoots out of the jet "off center" -- like it's not aligned to send the gas straight toward the burner. Thoughts?
@@clayturnbull Forget about the jet and focus on the burner tube and burner grid, Clay. What I'm thinking is that there could be debris [spider webs? dust? dander?] on one side of the tube or burner grid preventing an even flow of gas 'n' air through it... Which could - uh... *does!* - throw the flame alignment off a bit. Failing that, take your *regulator* to your local gas supplier and ask them to perform a "water column" check on it; which is a measure, in OUNCES, how much pressure is going into the jet/orifice. Let's all admit it: We bang those regulators around like necessary evils and not the [slightly] delicate pieces of equipment they are! Yes... They can get knocked outta whack! If the pressure's too high, as mentioned in my comment above, the gas can literally *blow* the flame away from the burner and you won't be getting the optimal BTU value of the gas from your unit.
Give one or both of those solves a try and get back to me... And keep th' greasy side down and keep it 'tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen th' ditches, Y'All! ;)
Good job Ray.
I had a 5 yr old trailer. That drain tube was totally dried out, and literally fell apart.It was starting to drain water on the wood housing, would eventually rot that too. I replaced it with a solid rubber hose.
No bubbles, no troubles. I don't mind fooling around with propane or 12V but I can't bring myself to attempt wheel bearings. Do not know why...I just can't get there. Yes, I've watched TH-cam videos, observed my mechanic...dunno...
Good vid thank you 👍🏻 I haven’t been able to remove the shield around the burner to inspect the flame. I’m reluctant to employ to much force
Thank you for a good information.
Dometic RM2801 RV fridge could not ignite the fridge. Sometimes igniter starts blinking making clicking sound but it will not start tge fridge. Igniter light sometimes comes on sometimes does not. I cheched the house battery voltage and shoved 13.2 v. sometimes l
Therefore I used to light it up with a lighter and used to stay on lit.Then, after watching several videos I decided to clean the orifice or burner assembly. Even though I did not use excesive mechsnical force to clean it now it will not stay lit after lighting up with a lighter. I did not find any knob or valve to adjust freezing level of this fridge and ir keeps burning the propane no matter how the outside temperature is.
Any hints or suggestions will be apprecuated.
Mine is over 20 years old. Many times, flakes of rust fall into the burner slots. You can unscrew the nozzle from the burner tube and dump them out.
Nice! Great recommendation too.
Awesome video well done 🇨🇦🇨🇦🛠
Good job Ray, I just got done doing mine
Enjoyed the video great job!
Great info. Thanks Ray.
Great video Ray!
Good afternoon Ray, hope you're having a good time up there on your boat tell Ayan I said hello. I just replaced the igniter in my refrigerator that looks identical to this one on my motorhome you've seen it before. It would seem to failed me on the trip up in the mountains. And I diagnosed it with your helping a lot of other people's and found out that's what the problem was. Seems to be working fine now but I have a question for you I noticed in your refrigerator as in my frigerator there's no thermal coupler there next to the igniter. Can you explain that to me why there's not one there and is there some other place that it maybe? I know you're nowhere around your RV right now but if you can answer that when you get next to your RV I'd appreciate it apparently everything is okay on mine cuz it looks just like yours only much dirtier yes I'm going to go clean it now you made me feel guilty. Happy sailing
Had a terrific 4-day trip on the boat, now back enjoying the RV. What a life. :)
From what I gather on many of the newer generation Dometic fridge models, they use an integrated control board that can utilize the sparker electrode to sense the presence of flame via resistance through the flame. So they no longer need the thermocouple. My Suburban water heater does a similar thing with its spark electrode to sense the flame.
@@LoveYourRV Ray you and Anne have such a terrible life now. I like that the rest of us would love lol
TY!
Great informative video. I have the same drain tube on mine. Do you periodically drain the tube? Is it supposed to drain outside by it self?
Yeah, its suppose to drain by itself as required. A little water stays in the loop to block outside air from coming into the fridge interior.
I think those thermostatic ventilation fans upper and lower should be standard on all RVs. Do you notice a better functioning refrigerator like colder food, faster ice making etc. with the fans than without them?
I do notice a difference in the warm summer months for sure. Our RV park site has the sun on the fridge side so it has to work hard, any cooling helps out, especially for the freezer and when we replenish stocks after a grocery shop, seems to come up to temperature fast. During the winter here in the desert I often have soda freeze if n the top shelf, so that means its working well. :)
Great, very thorough video! I was wondering if you have ever taken apart the flue (the big round chimney on the right side) to clean it out? Our Dometic is 21 years old but it was working fine after having the gas burner replaced recently. Now it's not working again...blue flame looks OK but it's not cooling...IDK I'll take a second look at the flame after watching this video because ours might not be as healthy-looking and I smell a little propane, but flame is blue. There's plenty of rust on the ammonia tubes. RV shop charged us $500 to put in a new burner on this old fridge (which was their advice) and to say the least I'm a little bit frustrated right now! Maybe we should have used that money for a new unit. Any visit to the RV repair shop around us is $140. Thanks for the helpful details shown here.
There is some kind of brush to put up the flue, like this www.camperid.com/dometic-rv/burner-tube-cleaning-brush-mpn-91872.html
But, If you are suddenly getting no cooling at all but still have a flame I would suspect that there is either a blockage in the piping or a leak and it has lost its ammonia. Being rusty its possible it got a pin hole.
If it lost its ammonia then it would have made a funny smell for a while or there may be a fine yellow powder in the outside compartment. I had one leak - www.loveyourrv.com/fridge-meltdown-extended-rv-warranty-s/ It was new fridge time. Cheers, Ray
@@LoveYourRV Curious about your opinion of the “burping” treatment/laying the fridge on its side?
I've heard mix results, but worth a try I guess
What about the jet's tiny hole, where you placed the sticky tape. Do you not find that that blocks up? I do find it odd that there's almost an half inch air space between that jet and the start of the burner tube, why have that gap? I have a Dometic RM8405, that's got a very similar set up.
It could get blocked but I haven't had that happen yet. Guess there is enough gas pressure to keep it clear. I think gap has got to do with getting just the right air to LP gas mixture for a good flame.
Hi Ray - my Cirrus camper has a upper fridge vent in the wall not the roof and is equipped with a single upper fan that is manual on/off. The switch is on the fridge panel. The standard fan is noisy...Which Titan kit would you suggest? Thank you
Here was my review update on them - th-cam.com/video/k9esJJZ6OW4/w-d-xo.html I think I would lean towards the smaller kit. They are really quiet with auto speed control and temp on/off
Thank you. :-))) :-))))
Just curious when you’re running on propane what is a ballpark consumption of propane?
It pretty low, haven't actually measured it but when it's warm out we hardly need to refill the tanks, its the furnace that really eats propane and the water heater, so cold weather is the worse. Basically cold weather lots of LP gas used but hot weather not much so leads me to believe the fridge doesn't consume much. It makes sense as it's quite a small flame compared to the furnace or stove or water heater.
Thank you Ray, I always wondered exactly what to do for a good clean the fridge and also the hot water heater burner care, do you have a video of that?. And yes, it's better to do it ourselves. not all technicians are professional, plus, the trouble to get there and the length of time for an appointment. Cheers :-0)
Here is my water heater maintenance - www.loveyourrv.com/yearly-rv-hot-water-heater-maintenance/ I usually pull the burner off then wash it out with soap and water. Sometimes bugs like spiders can clog the tube with their webs and interrupt proper gas flow.
The amount of time to clean this, how did you leep the food cold/ frozen ?
If you don't open the fridge door there is hardly any temp change, the RV fridge is like a really well insulated cooler. Don't open and let hot air in and it will be fine. We actually turn it off when traveling and never have had any problems with food spoilage. Cheers, Ray
Thanks for sharing. Like #312
Soak in mineral spirits? Why mineral spirits?
No particular reason, any type of solvent should do the truck. Mineral spirits happens to work well and is cheap. I got the idea becasue that what my portable generator manual advised for cleaning the spark arrester screen.
Unless I missed it, can you share your source and perhaps how you installed the fans?
You can find some video on them here - www.loveyourrv.com/?s=titan Cheers, Ray
Ray, nice job. Do you have any concerns that the lower fans have an effect on the pilot light, flame or gas? I’d like to install a set on my trailer.
Thanks! Not really, the fridges are designed for operation while camping with wind blowing, the fan airflow isn't near what a good natural wind blows in there. Ours has no pilot light as its direct spark ignition.
The shielding protects the flame pretty good, haven't had an issue. Many of the OEM fridges especially those in slideouts outs come with fans, though they are notorious noisy. :) My last fridge had one and I swapped it out for a quieter computer fan - www.loveyourrv.com/replacing-my-noisy-dometic-dm2652-rv-fridge-fan/ Cheers, Ray
I heard my Mom's looking this up but I've asked her How does the science even work on stuff like this I mean propain stove Burns how does it even freeze or git cold I don't even understand this
Here is an article that explains it www.doityourselfrv.com/absorption-refrigerator-rvs/
Does that fridge need defrosting ?
Yes, but depends on the humidity where you are RVing. I find in the winter in the desert I rarely need to defrost but during the summer on the west coast I need to defrost every month or so.
Ray, I know this is off topic, but how you folks arrange full-time insurance? If one does not have a fixed residence, you don't have personal liability coverage. Wayfarers is not doing it anymore (dunno why). Most other agents have no idea what I'm talking about. Thanks for your help. Henri
I don't know what new full timers are doing, we have a policy we got back in 2011 that is grandfathered so far, in as long as we keep renewing it. Seems lately many insurance places are dropping the full time RV coverage...
Do you remember name of RV camp you stayed in North of Rome, GA a couple of years ago?
Must be confusing me with someone else, we haven't been in the Rome, Georgia area before. Cheers, Ray
Another great video.
Curious, is that insulation on the right hand side? Looks a little dirty, and not quite covering the whole wood panel.
Thanks, Yes, that's some pink insulation installed by the OEM, here is an earlier video that shows the area with the fridge pulled out - th-cam.com/video/dGBG1Jyx5SU/w-d-xo.html It's a little dirty from years of visiting the dusty desert. :)
Very "cool"
A bird might get there and build a nest or a really small horse. That can happen.
Last spring, had a house finch build a large nest in our fifth wheel pin box in about 3 days!
Oh and I'm 22
nice video Ray, helped alot.