Help! I found bad advice on the internet about Gas Refrigerators

The founders and employees of Dynamx, Inc. have all enjoyed the off-grid lifestyle for the past 25 years. We understand the systems and usage of the propane appliances we sell. We have been using propane refrigerators for over 25 years and have experienced staff trained at the manufacturers for service and repair related issues. We offer "over the phone" technical help to all our customers and offer a carry in service for repairs on all brands and models of propane refrigerators and freezers.

From time to time run across an article or a forum post that may need a little clarification or out-right correction. Recently we found this article posted to The Tiny House’s website.

http://www.thetinyhouse.net/my-propane-refrigerator-problem-and-what-im-going-to-do-about-it/

When articles make their way onto the internet, and subsequently gain authority online, the information may be seen as fact or legitimate advice. I remind our readers that you cannot believe everything you read on the internet!

The author of this article seems like he has very little knowledge and experience with absorption refrigeration and instead of seeking out a qualified professional, he is getting his advice from someone with the same level of knowledge.

We have many customers that use absorption refrigeration in the same way he does without issues. Although this fridge is not designed for what he is doing, it should be able to function reasonably well in its current configuration and lifestyle.

Usually we look for user error or installer error. In this case they are both the same.

Where I would start is to test the gas pressure. This unit switches from high flame to low flame to control the rate of ammonia solution circulating through the system. If the gas pressure is set too high, then the low flame circuit is not low enough, so there is too much solution circulating and creating the freezing situation.

Propane refrigerators are very sensitive to gas pressure. This is exactly why EZ Freeze uses a secondary regulator within their units. They realize that the fridge is too sensitive to rely on the end user to have the correct pressure from their owned or leased regulator. Most other household gas appliances, ranges, ovens, water heaters, heaters, etc…, are not that sensitive to pressure and will work fine with incorrect pressure so very little attention is paid to setting the pressure spot on to 11 inches of water column.

If that tests ok, then the thermostat may have been calibrated too high and the unit is switching back to high flame too early and switching back to low flame too late. EZ Freeze uses this same thermostat within both the gas refrigerator units and gas freezer units we sell. The difference is how they calibrate them for the temperature range. Calibration for this unit may have been set leaning to a colder setting from the factory since most people vacation in their RV’s in warmer climates.

Furthermore, this unit does not have the best thermo-insulation design between the fridge and freezer so leakage between the two spaces is a factor. This fridge was never intended for full time living in a home. It was made for an RV. RV’s are not built for efficiency; they are built for recreation or surviving away from home. 

For more information on how we can help with your RV gas fridge, please visit our blog article: http://propanegasrefrigerators.blogspot.com/2016/01/rv-refrigerator-repairs.html

Dynamx, Inc.

6755 N. Hwy 89, Chino Valley, Az. 86323

(928) 636-1955

http://www.WarehouseAppliance.com

More Propane Refrigerator Articles

 

RV Refrigerator Repairs

A failure of a refrigerator in a recreational vehicle can be almost as problematic as if the engine failed. The refrigerator failure can make the RV useless for its intended use by limiting the ability to travel away from civilization and be self contained. Fortunately there are many engine mechanics that can get you and your RV back on the road. Unfortunately, there are very few RV Refrigerator Repairers that can properly repair your fridge and get you back to being self contained.

Cracked Boilers

Here at Dynamx, Inc. we have been repairing RV Refrigerators for many years, but we have never advertised this service. Many local customers bring their RV’s to us for this service. We sometimes have vacationers from out of town bring their rigs here for fridge repair. Many times the repair can be as simple as a fouled burner or as complicated as a leaking absorption cooling unit. No matter what the case, a repair is less costly than a new replacement refrigerator.

High Performance Aftermarket
Absorption Cooling Unit

Most RV Refrigerators will fail premature to the wear life of the unit and the wear life of the vehicle. In many cases, the fridge will look brand new with very little wear and tear, but need service or a repair. Due to the nature of the RV traveling and being in the elements, the refrigerator will typically need more service than one that is static and in a home. The debris, dirt, road grim, and weather is hard on the burner and controls that are exposed to these elements. Due to the nature of the vehicle, periodic use is another cause of failure. Since the fridge is turned on for short periods of time and then turned off for longer periods of time, there are a couple of problems this promotes. Condensation develops as a result of this activity and will eventually corrode the cooling bars and cause a leak within the sealed absorption system. Another issue is that of the boilers cracking from the constant heating and cooling of these metals. Failures of these are becoming more frequent due to the newer models electronic ignition will turn the flame on and off to control the internal temperatures of the refrigerator and freezer. Older models relied on a continuous flame burn that switched from high to low.

This would keep the boiler metals from flexing to a state where a crack would develop. We replace these absorption cooling units with either remanufactured rebuilt cooling units or newly redesigned high performance cooling units.

Our suppliers take great pride building a cooling unit that out performs and out lives the original Norcold or Dometic brands. These cooling units have a 3 year warranty behind them. They are designed and developed to eliminate the known failures of the original equipment.

Combined with new installation techniques, the new units will provide more efficient and stronger
performance for an extended life.


For the larger model refrigerators, we can replace the cooling unit without removing the refrigerator from inside of the RV coach. And in some cases we replace the cooling unit without having the coach present when the customer elects to remove the refrigerator and bring it to us. We also have the ability to ship the cooling unit directly to you so that you can do the replacement yourself. We have many options to accommodate you and your schedule.

Our maintenance service consists of cleaning the flue, burner, and orifice and is included in any repair or service we perform. This is an important service that most RV owners never perform and is the cause of the majority of the issues we find. We also replace control boards (if available), Igniters, and heat rods for those units that have failed electronics.

We can evaluate your RV refrigerator and give an estimate of repair and options for the specific problem. Stop in at our facility or just give us a call.

Dynamx, Inc.
6755 N. Hwy 89, Chino Valley, Az. 86323
(928) 636-1955
http://www.WarehouseAppliance.com