Dometic Refrigerator Flame Going Out on Highway

[turnerstream]

When traveling on the Interstate at or near 70 miles per hour, our refrigerator is shutting off while running on propane. We noticed this when we kept seeing the 'Check' light illuminate after traveling on Interstate 40. On slower back roads and while camping we aren't having any issues. I've removed the burner windshield, cleaned the burner/orifice area, and reinstalled the windshield, but we keep having this issue. Any thoughts on what else I should check or anything I can do do better protect the flame? I think after 30 seconds of trying to relight, the refrigerator stops and illuminates the 'Check' light. Is that correct?

2005 25' Safari

Thanks,
Corey

Turnerstream.com

[Alumineer]

I know this is going to foment a flood of indignant replies that "We never shut off our propane and it's okay!" but I think you'll find that if you look at any trailer towing publications anywhere, they will all tell you to shut off your propane tanks at the tank valve while traveling.
For instance:
Manitoba Insurance pamphlet (page 8)

BC Things you need to know

Just sayin'. I'm sure that you could find a recommendation from every state and province's DMV, to shut off the propane while traveling.

The fact is that if your fridge is worthy of the name, and you have it and the freezer reasonably stocked with food items and beverages, it will keep itself cool enough through a day of towing that there is no problem shutting the thing off while on the move.

Edit:
According to this link, it's illegal to travel with the propane (tank) valves open. That means you would be charged and possibly be found negligent if any problem were to occur due to the valves being open while you're going down the road. Any lawyer for a third-party injury or property damage claimant would definitely have a field day.

[n2916s]

Don't know where the author of the article you linked to got her information but it is perfectly legal, at least in Florida, to travel with the propane on and the refrigerator operating on it. I know of no U.S. Jurisdiction that prohibits the practice other than a handful of vehicle tunnels (I.e. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel).

Most of us do it. But everyone is free to make their own decision.

I suspect that towing at 70 has a lot to do with the reefer flame blowing out. You may need to extend the baffling or add a screen behind the door louvers.

[TG Twinkie]

Why even have a refer if you shut it down while traveling? You might as well have an ice box.

[GCinSC2]

Not sure if your unit was part of the recall to add extra shroud. Search for your fridge.

[KJRitchie]

I had the same problem on my preowned 2008 Classic 25fb when I purchased in 2013. I had the recall performed which added a larger shroud around the burner unit. Luckily this fixed the issue.

Kelvin

[robert claus]

I had this problem for a couple of years- I'd stop while on the road, and half of the time find the propane flame had gone out. Problematic, at the least, if you want to keep things in the fridge from warming up. Tried all of the suggestions - cleaned the burner assembly and chimney, put a wind blocking layer of furnace filter material inside the exterior fridge door, etc. I started thinking about replacing the thermocouple, and while examining what would be involved, I found that the connection in the thermocouple line (it's inside the exterior fridge door) had come loose - it was finger tight, and a bump would probably cause a loss of voltage and shut down the gas flow. Tightening with wrenches fixed that problem - it's been a couple of years with no further problems.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Not sure if your unit was part of the recall to add extra shroud. Search for your fridge.

X
X2

Here is what the recall shroud looks like on our fridge.

Bob

[gecko]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I had the same problem on my preowned 2008 Classic 25fb when I purchased in 2013. I had the recall performed which added a larger shroud around the burner unit. Luckily this fixed the issue.

Kelvin

Anybody have a link to this specific recall? I can only find the link for older models for the unit working on electric, and nothing for a larger baffle recall.

Thanks!

[Alumineer]

Originally Posted by n2916s

Don't know where the author of the article you linked to got her information but it is perfectly legal, at least in Florida, to travel with the propane on and the refrigerator operating on it. I know of no U.S. Jurisdiction that prohibits the practice other than a handful of vehicle tunnels (I.e. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel).

I did some more reading and I may stand (sit) corrected, at least partially. I did find out some interesting stuff.

• Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and New Jersey prohibit travel with open propane cylinders
• At least one state (Virginia?) has a maximum of 2, 20 pound tanks
• Ferry services definitely prohibit open propane cylinders.

We've always traveled with closed propane tanks; we pre-cool the fridge before leaving on a trip and we haven't had any issues with food warming up during a day's travel. As noted, you're free to do what you like...

[GCinSC2]

Did you check here? http://www.dometic.com/USA/Support/D...l-Information/

[turnerstream]

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into the recall and the thermocoupler fitting.

[Jack46]

We travel with our refrig operating on propane and from time to time the flame will blow out. I agree with others that a day of travel all not adversely impact keeping your box cold if it happens to be off.

[jcanavera]

I know there have been some Dometic recall's over the years to add a larger baffle to deal with blowouts of the flame on the road. My 2001 Safari had that problem and the dealer built a larger baffle which fixed that problem. Some folks have actually fabricated some small furnace filters to fit on the door. However those need to be removed when parked to allow proper airflow into the refrigerator compartment.

Jack

[guskmg]

I had that problem and cleaning the circuit board terminal connections and adding dielectric grease solved the problem forever. The circuit board contact are not gold and therefor corrode easily. Hope this helps. Mine will stand 80MPH and semis passing.
guskmg

[DEWASSINC]

I recently had the exact same problem. I solved it by fitting a furnace filter (10 x 20 x01) in the opening behind the louvre door of the exterior fridge access. This prevents the flame from being blown out while travelling.

Problem solved, for me anyway.

[fredbrandebe]

LP on is dangerous - If you don't open the door for 8 hours on an 80 degree day the temp will go up 2 degrees.
Use wireless thermometer to tell temp - if you must run refer, get an inverter.
RV101byFred.com

[TG Twinkie]

Pointless to have a refer that you can't have access to make lunch or get a cold drink while on the road. You will lose temp if the door is opened numerous times during the day.
We travel with the refer operating. And will continue to do so.

[carl2591]

have not noticed a flame out issue on a 2005 classic with trip from florida to nc and raleigh to boone and back.

not sure what tires you are running but 70 is like WAY to fast for most of the ST tire i have heard.. the only time i see 70 is going down hill seeing another hill ahead and wanting to gather some steam to help pull up the incline..

sorta like when i used to drive a tractor trailer for Thurston Motor lines.. We had what everyone called "dragon fly" trucks. we would drag up the hill and fly down the other side.. seems the trucks were governed to 1800 RPM which limited speed to 62 MPH. We ran detroit 8v71 motors that like to run 2000 rpm to get in the power range so being limited to 1800 was an anchor.

[CCGAL]

This is why I will NOT drive with my refrigerator running when we travel:

Dangerous to run RV fridge on propane on the road?