De-Winterizing for ski trip

[CBabbs]

I just pulled my camper out of storage to get ready for a ski trip to southern CO (we live in Denver and its been below 0 for the last few nights). I winterized in Oct and all seems well except I'm not able to get the fridge to work on auto (plugged into 110). Any advice on what the problem might be?

[TG Twinkie]

It may be too cold outside. The electric heating element is not a high wattage device, less than 300 watts. Therefor it doesn't create enough heat for this type of refer. Try running it on gas.

[CBabbs]

Ok, just tried to run in LP mode only and still nothing. All indicator lights inside appear normal but no sparking and no flame in the ignitor box. I checked to be sure gas was flowing by lighting the stovetop - no problem. Help!

[Alumaholic]

Sounds like you don't have your battery (or batteries) installed or turned on.
The refer controls run on 12 volt DC.

[CBabbs]

Thanks for the help! The refer just came on (LP) after cycling it on and off several times. Not sure that's the way it's supposed to work but it did. I am a bit worried that something is not right with the controls.

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by CBabbs

Thanks for the help! The refer just came on (LP) after cycling it on and off several times. Not sure that's the way it's supposed to work but it did. I am a bit worried that something is not right with the controls.

After any period of non-use, it takes a few cycles for the propane to push the air out of the line between the tank and your refer.

[Skater]

Is it possible it didn't cycle on originally because it was already cold enough in the fridge/freezer sections?

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Skater

Is it possible it didn't cycle on originally because it was already cold enough in the fridge/freezer sections?

What?
You think below 0 for the last few nights in Denver like the OP said could be too cold for the fridge to come on?

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

What?
You think below 0 for the last few nights in Denver like the OP said could be too cold for the fridge to come on?

A helpful observation, but probably not grounded in fact. The status panel would still indicate refer on AC, just as it does when the AC heating element cycles on and off during the cooling process.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by CBabbs

Ok, just tried to run in LP mode only and still nothing. All indicator lights inside appear normal but no sparking and no flame in the ignitor box. I checked to be sure gas was flowing by lighting the stovetop - no problem. Help!

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

A helpful observation, but probably not grounded in fact. The status panel would still indicate refer on AC, just as it does when the AC heating element cycles on and off during the cooling process.

You sure?
All indicator lights inside appear normal but no sparking and no flame in the ignitor box.

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

You sure?
All indicator lights inside appear normal but no sparking and no flame in the ignitor box.

...when you are plugged in to AC.
If your refer has a choice, it will always default to AC when you are plugged into an AC source, unless you tell it you want to use propane.
When it's running on AC, there is no flame.

When there is no AC, the refer turns on the propane and ignites it. Then you have a flame.

For all this to work, you must have good batteries, and the battery isolation switch must be in the on position. The control panel runs on 12 volt DC.

If you have a three-way refer, you can actually run your refer on battery power.
Hope this helps!

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

...Hope this helps!

Um no, this is what I meant.

from OP then (my thinking)

tried to run in LP mode only
(means fridge set to propane not AC)

All indicator lights inside appear normal
(no warning light that fridge didn't fire)

no sparking and no flame in the ignitor box.
(didn't light and maybe didn't try)

Doesn't matter it started working, no need to argue, have a nice day.