Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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



Sometime you get bad advice about propane refrigerators onlineThe 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.


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

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