Dometic Refrigerator - 1972 International

[ReggieDaniel]

Finally got around to trying out the propane refrigerator in my AS and the striker is frozen up, won't turn. I don't see any way to work around this by lighting it from the backside. What are my options or do I have to take it completely out to get to it? Oven and range work good, going to try the water heater next but really want the refer to work too.

[CaCraig]

Is it a RM75? I lit mine from the back.

[ReggieDaniel]

It's an RM-60.

[CaCraig]

My RM100 has a small opening at the bottom of the flue stack with a sliding door.

[Jacob D]

My '67 Overlander has the original Dometic reefer which is now 50+years old. Some years ago the flint striker wheel wore out and no part was available. My son went on line and found a water heater "re-igniter" with a spring loaded manual switch which generates a spark from a 12 volt source. I installed it near the front and under the reefer and ran a wire to a grill electrode mounted next to the burner close enough to spark to the edge of the burner. The flame lights when I trigger the switch on the re-igniter while holding the button for the pilot. Prior to that we had to open the outside access door, remove the wind baffle and use a match which required a second person to hold the pilot button inside.

[TG Twinkie]

Can you post a pic of the back of the refer?

[TG Twinkie]

The RM60 can be lit with a charcoal lighter from the back.
Make sure it is in the gas mode.
At the lower right hand corner there is a small flip open hatch. Rotate it to the left.
With the lighter in the right hand ready to ignite.
Hold the red button on the safety valve up, stick the lighter in the hole and pull the trigger.
It may take several attempts.
Once the burner is lit continue to hold the red button up for a minute or so. If the thermocouple is wiring and seeing the flame the burner will stay lit when you release the button.

[CaCraig]

This is my old RM75. I would think the RM 60 would be similar.

[TG Twinkie]

Working not wiring!!

[ReggieDaniel]

Thanks all, I'll try it tonight and post my success or failure. First time AS owner so this is all new, this forum has been really good to read other folks challenges and solutions. I've uploaded a pic of the rear of my unit if anybody sees anything out of whack.

[69charger]

My 72 AS with a Dometic AC/gas refrig has been stored indoors for 3 years. Got it out and woke it up; everything working except the 'fridge.


Gas lights and burns properly, system makes the same liquid noises I recall, but there is no chilling of the freezer or the refrig compartment. I have not run it for HOURS, but I recall that there was some noticeable chill down of the freezer floor after an hour or two.


Ditto the same situation on AC.


In both configurations the condenser coils on the 'outside' above the 'fridge door are warm/ hot to the touch, as is the plumbing. Just no cooling.


Long term (about 5 hours) running of the fridge on AC resulted in the refrig coils inside being a little warm....no change to the freezer.


I've leveled and re-leveled the unit several times, running the tongue jack all the way up and down, and rocked the trailer from side to side, as I was told there may be a bubble stuck somewhere causing a vapor lock. I don't believe the coolant liquid has breached anything, as it is clearly still moving around in the pipes, with attendant liquid noises and heat in the pipes.


Any ideas? I recall being told to tow the trailer a few miles with it operating on gas to shake any vapor locks loose, but I've not done that yet.


Thanks in advance.