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Old 10-13-2018, 10:01 AM   #1
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Dometic fridge only operating off L.P.

I have it on auto and it keeps clicking to try to use L.P. my rig is plugged in to shore power. I keep running out of L.P. because of this fridge.

Constant clicking and won’t operate off of shore power


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Old 10-13-2018, 10:05 AM   #2
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Step 1 is to verify that the outlet that the fridge is plugged into has power.
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Old 10-13-2018, 10:18 AM   #3
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Step 1 is to verify that the outlet that the fridge is plugged into has power.

How would the light on the fridge operate and the display operate if it did not have power ?

Do I need to pull it out ?
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Old 10-13-2018, 10:29 AM   #4
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Most likely those lights are 12 volts. Refrigerators (current versions) have a 12 volt line that operates the circuit board. they are also plugged into a 120 volt outlet that supplies power to the heating element which heals the ammonia and produces the cold.

Your refrigerator is operating just like it would if you were not plugged into shore power. If it is running on propane it is either not connected to shore power, not sensing shore power or manually switched to gas mode. There should be a switch on the panel that will force it into gas mode, something else to check.
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Old 10-13-2018, 10:30 AM   #5
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You should be able to locate the power plug from the access door on the outside of your trailer behind the refrigerator.
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Old 10-13-2018, 10:52 AM   #6
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Power plug works Click image for larger version

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Old 10-13-2018, 10:54 AM   #7
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Dometic fridge only operating off L.P.

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Originally Posted by azflycaster View Post
Most likely those lights are 12 volts. Refrigerators (current versions) have a 12 volt line that operates the circuit board. they are also plugged into a 120 volt outlet that supplies power to the heating element which heals the ammonia and produces the cold.



Your refrigerator is operating just like it would if you were not plugged into shore power. If it is running on propane it is either not connected to shore power, not sensing shore power or manually switched to gas mode. There should be a switch on the panel that will force it into gas mode, something else to check.


I think it’s not sensing shore because the “auto” light it onClick image for larger version

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Old 10-13-2018, 10:57 AM   #8
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The only other suggestion I have would be to reseat the connectors on the circuit board, but that is a long shot. If that does nopt correct the problem, it is time for a service call.

Did you verify that the unit was not switched to gas mode on the panel?
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Old 10-13-2018, 11:23 AM   #9
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Did you verify that the unit was not switched to gas mode on the panel?


It’s either on auto or it’s not , right ? It’s on auto. I even have the L.P. tanks disconnected now. It keeps trying to connect to them. Light the propane even though it’s on auto
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Old 10-13-2018, 12:26 PM   #10
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there are different versions, mine is either auto or gas. This gives you the ability to switch to gas mode if you have limited power. If you only had 3 amp power you would want to switch to gas mode.

In auto mode the fridge will run on electric if it is available and switch to gas if it is not. For some reason yours does not think electric is available. Possibly a bad circuit board.
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Old 10-13-2018, 01:06 PM   #11
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Did you confirm by plugging a trouble light or hair dryer into the 120volt outlet that the fridge is plugged into, that there is actually power to the outlet? Test the heating element in the fridge to make sure that it is not burnt out. All of the lights and controlls on the fridge are 12 volts. When on "auto" and 120 volts are available and working, your fridge will work on shore power as the prefered source of energy to cool the fridge.
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Old 10-13-2018, 01:35 PM   #12
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Dometic fridge only operating off L.P.

Yes
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Old 10-13-2018, 02:05 PM   #13
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Test the heating element in the fridge to make sure that it is not burnt out. .

How do we do that?
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:12 PM   #14
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The internet is your best friend. Type in "Dometic refridgerator repair heating element" and you will see a YouTube video on how to check/replace this part. Good luck, Chris
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:16 PM   #15
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It’s burnt thansk
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Old 10-14-2018, 10:33 AM   #16
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We experienced this same issue. On the first service visit they replaced a fuse in the frig. On the second service visit they replaced this circuit board. No issues since.
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Old 10-14-2018, 10:38 AM   #17
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5 Amp Fuse Likely Culprit

I am having a similar issue with our 2018 27FB. I just saw a thread on the forum yesterday and the issue turned out to be a little 5 amp fuse in the refrigerator. The repair was accomplished by accessing the refrigerator from the outside of the trailer and then opening up a little box that had the fuses. Little GDC Series 5 Amp fuse. You can buy them at Home Depot or Lowes. They come in packs of 2 for about $5. The thread I found on the forum had pictures. Sorry new to the forum and not sure how to direct you back to that thread.
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Old 10-14-2018, 11:10 AM   #18
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Hi Folks - we are on our first shakedown outing in our 2019 Globetrotter, and we have a similar issue - the refrigerator works on propane but not on electric. Where exactly can I find that fuse box to check the 5 amp fuse?

Thanks
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:35 AM   #19
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If you access the back of the refrigerator from the exterior access panel on the outside of the trailer you should find a small box inside the equipment area. Inside that small box is GDC 5 Amp small fuses. Seems when these 5 Amp fuses are blown the fridge will only run off of LP.
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Old 10-15-2018, 02:23 PM   #20
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I have it on auto and it keeps clicking to try to use L.P. my rig is plugged in to shore power. I keep running out of L.P. because of this fridge.

Constant clicking and won’t operate off of shore power


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