Older Dometic Works on AC but not on Propane?

[comtnbyk]

Hello All:
I have a Dometic MA52 AC or Propane refrigerator that does excellent on AC but will not cool on propane. I have cleaned the orfice (from shut off valve to jet all cleaned) on the propane jet and turned (refrigerator) it over for 24 hours. I got better AC cooling after the 24 hours but still the propane side doesn't cool the refer. The flame on the propane is blue and no yellow. It is currently out away from the wall and able to cool the coils on the back. On propane: the only pipe other than the exhaust that gets hot is the one that comes down from the upper cooling fins to the heating stack.

Please help if you all have any other ideas to trouble shoot this refer!

Thanks
Keith

[TG Twinkie]

The refer in my '74 Argosy. A Dometic M60 has an inline filter, which was plugged with liquid. I removed the old filter medium and replaced it with cigarette filter material. Now the refer works just fine. The filter unit looks somewhat like an inline gas filter, only metal. A bit difficult to remove, but it was worth the effort.

[comtnbyk]

Thanks TG
I too removed that inline filter and cleaned it from all the years of gook. The flame is blue and hot and makes the chamber above hot but still no cooling in the refer.

[TG Twinkie]

Have you checked the gas pressure? There are a number of test points along the gas train. You should read 11" of water column.
Does the flame change when you adjust the thermostat. You may not see the change but you should hear it. The flame on mine is about 1/2" tall, maybe a little more when trying to cool.
The higher the number on the thermostat the colder the setting. Just for info.

[comtnbyk]

I have not tested the pressure. I guess I don't know how to do that. could use a lesson on that! The flame sound does change very little with the adjustment of the thermostat. Open to any suggestions!
Thanks Keith

[TG Twinkie]

Look for a manual for any early model refer. They look very similar.
The buy a manometer. It's a gauge that reads in inches of water column. Look on ebay. I think I paid $30.00 for mine.
You simply screw the hose into the test port. Turn on the gas an see what pressure the gauge reads.
I'd bet there are You Tube videos on how to use it.

[Northerngirl]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Have you checked the gas pressure? There are a number of test points along the gas train. You should read 11" of water column.

I had an older fridge that was not operating well on propane and it turned out to be a gas pressure issue.

Updated the propane regulator and all was well.

[comtnbyk]

Thanks I will check into the pressure and regulator next!

[comtnbyk]

I checked the pressure and it was at 13 inches. Is that too much?