Refrigerator Ticking Sound

[ttbikes]

Today while working inside the trailer, I heard a ticking sound from the refrigerator. The refrigerator was not on but I was pluged into power. I turned on the refrigerator (AC) to see if that would stop it. It did not. Seemed like the ticking was coming from or near the gas ignitor so, I turned on the gas and hit the ignitor button, and the ticking stopped. I turned it back on AC and it is running without ticking, and it is now cooling. Is there something I should be worried about here? Never like having propane problems. I never run it on propane.

[SteveSueMac]

Hard to say not being there to hear it - but what you describe sounds like the normal process of the fridge trying to go on with propane - though not sure why the ticking would continue if you were attempting to use 120V power instead. Could have just been a sequence of things but the ticking sound was most likely the igniter trying to fire up the propane.

[ttbikes]

Thats the thing, the refrigerator was off when I first heard the ticking. It continued when I turned it on using electric. It stoped when I turned it to propane and hit the ignitor button. I then turned it to AC to see if would run and it appears to be cooling. I never run it on propane and gas was turned off at the tanks while it was ticking.

[SteveSueMac]

When you say it was off - do you mean completely - as in, no LED indicator telling you temp or anything - it was completely off? I can’t know for sure but I wonder if it was in Auto mode which means it’s on and looking for a source (either electric or propane). Even if the tanks were off, if it’s looking for propane, the igniter can click. But there comes a point where that clicking stops and the LEDs flash to indicate the propane didn’t light and you need to try again.

[OTRA15]

It might help if you could clarify whether this is the original fridge in your 1964 Tradewind? If not, please specify its make, model, etc..

Thanks,

Peter

PS -- The following post in another thread suggests that you have done a remodel, and that the fridge is newer IMO.

[click on orange arrow to go to that post and see the photos]

Originally Posted by ttbikes

Opening up the trailer is a great idea. We did it a little differently than what you are thinking. We wanted to leave the back wall to facilitate bathroom privacy. Also that cabinetry provided great storage. What we wound up doing is removing the street side bulkhead. What ever you decide, opening the trailer up is a great idea.

[ttbikes]

Sorry to take so long in getting back. The refrigerator pictured is the current one but not the orginal. It is a used model that I bought because, it fit my space. It is a Dometic RM 2553 and has worked well for two years including the last month- long December trip. I have had time to try some things and, we are now camping. If I light the propane the ticking stops but, the refrigerator does not cool. If I turn it to AC ,the ticking starts up again but, the refrigerator does not cool. If I turn it off, the ticking continues. This last status is to me the most concerning because I am sleeping in the trailer tonight. I have turned off the propane at the tank but, I worry a little about an electrical fire. I would think if I turned it off, it would stop ticking. I even flipped both breakers, and it still ticks. I would guess that means it is on the 12 volt side of the system but, I really have no idea. I called my RV guy who thinks it's most likely a bad board but, he is also puzzed by the fact that it's ticking while it's in the off position.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ttbikes

. . .
I called my RV guy who thinks it's most likely a bad board but, he is also puzzed by the fact that it's ticking while it's in the off position.

That was my guess too. Do you have an ice cooler to use temporarily? Your concern about an electrical malfunction is warranted IMO. Do you have separate 120-volt and 12-volt circuit breakers for the fridge? I would turn them both off.



Peter

[ttbikes]

As Murphy’s Law would have it, we are sponsoring a rally and have food all over the place. Using four ice chests with more on the way..
One of the few things I have not replaced is the is the 12-volt breaker box. It is the original which I believe is mechanical and I must confess I do not understand.

[OTRA15]

The control circuit for the fridge uses 12-volts, so that is another possibility . . . the breaker . . . or a bad wire, loose connection, etc. in addition to the board. You might want to keep checking voltages everywhere with a good multimeter, to home in on the missing link IMO.



Good luck!

Peter

[ttbikes]

Refrigerator is getting 110 and 12 volts. Gas burner is not getting as hot as it should. I finally called my RV guy. After the rally, I am going to take it to his shop and let him pull it out. His thoughts (if I remember correctly) were to clean the burner (just part of problem) and check the board (hopefully the problem). If not the first 2, then the last possibility is a bad cooling unit. Repair guys do not like to replace the cooing units because, the replacement cooling units have a high failure rate. If it is the latter, I will have to talk him into so I am not forced to change the original cabinet.

[OTRA15]

Thanks for the update, good luck in the shop.

Peter

[ttbikes]

Since you posted my remodel in progress I thought you might like to see the result.

[OTRA15]

Nice! Are those recliners?


Peter

[ttbikes]

Yes, the best thing I have done to this trailer is to take the gaucho
and put in recliners.

[TouringDan]

We always operate our refrigerator on propane. When we run out of propane, the igniter makes a ticking sound. I believe that is what you are hearing.

Beautiful remodeling job BTW. We are planning on installing recliners in the makeover of our 95 34’.

Dan

[ttbikes]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

We always operate our refrigerator on propane. When we run out of propane, the igniter makes a ticking sound. I believe that is what you are hearing.

Beautiful remodeling job BTW. We are planning on installing recliners in the makeover of our 95 34’.

Dan

In my case, I only get the ticking when the control is in the off position or the AC position. That is why I think it has to do with the board. That is what my RV guy thinks also. I did disconnect the 12 volt leads and the ticking stopped. At any rate I have decided I to let him fix it. I will let you know what he does.

Thanks for the compliment on the remodel. I was going to keep it as original as possible but convenience and comfort kept winning out. You will not regret having the recliners.