Three way fridge. Apparently no propane operation

[GettinAway]

We just picked up this 25 GT FB with the three way fridge. It works fine when plugged in. Works fine on battery power, but when I select LP, all I get is a red flashing light and alarm.
The furnace works fine on LP, as does the stove.
I’ve tried starting it and stopping it several times, etc..
Kind of at a loss as what to try next. Any suggestions. We are on our first trip (to Florida). Picked it up last week in Chicago. Would have had them prove that the fridge was working on LP, but a huge winter storm was coming in, so we cut the training short and headed out. I called the dealership today and was told that part of their predelivery check list includes running the fridge on all three modes. I have no way of knowing if they actually did check it.
Any help appreciated. I know these three way fridges haven’t been around too long. I’m leaning towards a new control board, but hoping for a more simple fix.
Thx

[Daquenzer]

Have you gone outside and listened that it is sparking? If it is sparking then there is a gas issue. I would try shutting down the one LP tank and turning it to the other. I had the same problem once. I turned off one tank and turned to the other. It lit. Could be the one tank isn’t putting out enough LP pressure. Just a thought.

If you can’t hear it spark then it could be an electrical problem. That would take someone smarter than me.

[AirMiles]

I can't answer your propane question, but have experience with the Globetrotter three way fridge. My experience is that I could not use the DC refrigerator very long without completely discharging my batteries. My DC refrigerator draws 14A almost continuously. It killed a just installed brand new set of Interstate batteries on my maiden voyage between Haydocy in Ohio and Central Wisconsin (about 9 hours of travel). So be careful traveling with the refrigerator on DC. Keep checking your battery voltage to make sure you don't kill your new batteries when using the DC refrigerator while traveling. Maybe your tow vehicle produces more than 14A so you will not damage your batteries, but mine obviously did not. I've since added 600W of solar so now I can travel on sunny days with the refrigerator on DC since my solar can produce more than 30A continuously under sunny skies. If you have the factory solar, it will help while traveling with the refrigerator on DC during daylight hours.

I hope someone can help you diagnose your refrigerator propane issue.

[GettinAway]

I’ll listen for the spark tomorrow. It goes to alarm (red light flashing) mode instantly when I hit the button from AC to LP. I don’t think it has a chance to spark. I’ll also switch tanks.
I’ll watch the batteries while towing. That was a fear I’ve had. If it uses more power than the tundra puts out, and arriving somewhere with dead and ruined batteries. Drove 4 hours this evening and plugged in for the night.
It was 31 when we left home. I wondered if the low outside temps were part of the problem.

Thanks for the replies.
Jeff

[jeffmc306]

Jeff, I'm sorry to hear your fridge isn't running on propane.

That's not a good sign when the red light comes on so quickly. I would get on the phone to JC right away: Airstream Customer Service and Technical Support can be reached at 1 (877) 596-6111, option 1.

For reference, there was a thread from nryn last year who's GT fridge quit on his trip to Alaska; https://www.airforums.com/forums/f42...on-196524.html

Hope it's something simple!

Good luck,
Jeff

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Jeff, I'm sorry to hear your fridge isn't running on propane.

That's not a good sign when the red light comes on so quickly. I would get on the phone to JC right away: Airstream Customer Service and Technical Support can be reached at 1 (877) 596-6111, option 1.

For reference, there was a thread from nryn last year who's GT fridge quit on his trip to Alaska; https://www.airforums.com/forums/f42...on-196524.html

Hope it's something simple!

Good luck,
Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Looks like a tough situation for the fridge. Hopefully I won’t end up with a new one. I’ll get ahold of JC first thing tomorrow morning.

[GettinAway]

Well, we saved a few $$ buying this 2020 GT used. It was never really used. However, AS is telling me since it was registered to someone else we are not original owner. So the 3 year warranty covers the trailer, but none of the appliances. 🤬
So I’m working through dometic to try and troubleshoot and repair. They are less than helpful. They basically told me to get into a service center somewhere, but they would probably not have any openings.. So, I’m just trying to find a place along the way. Should be going through Birmingham and Montgomery today.

[lsbrodsky]

I had the same experience with Dometic about my water heater; they would not give me any technical support over the phone and told me to take it to a service center, which was crazy for a simple question about the relay. I just figured it out myself.
The good news is virtually any RV repair place services Dometic equipment so you should not have difficulty finding a place, although the queue for service may be a different story.

Larry

[Pickles]

I went to the same dealership. Vern was the guy who got it working on gas. You might have more luck talking to him than Dometic.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Well, we saved a few $$ buying this 2020 GT used. It was never really used. However, AS is telling me since it was registered to someone else we are not original owner. So the 3 year warranty covers the trailer, but none of the appliances. ��
So I’m working through dometic to try and troubleshoot and repair. They are less than helpful. They basically told me to get into a service center somewhere, but they would probably not have any openings.. So, I’m just trying to find a place along the way. Should be going through Birmingham and Montgomery today.

Jeff, I didn't know that about the 2nd owner warranty! That stinks.

For grins, why don't you call Airstream of Chicago and see if they can offer some troubleshooting tips. They at least owe you that, if not more. *If it hadn't been for the snow storm, they would have been on the hook to fix it.

Good luck!
Jeff

[link2dks]

GettinAway

Have you tried resetting the "Gas Fault" reset button, it's the last button on the right with a triangle symbol? Should be flashing red if the refrigerator wouldn't start in gas mode and it must be reset to try to light it again.

Dave S

[GettinAway]

Wow! Thank you!! I’m going to try this right now!

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Wow! Thank you!! I’m going to try this right now!

Dave!! That’s it! Fired right up!! We are in business!! Thank you so much!!!!

[link2dks]

Glad I could help, sometimes it is the simple things.

Dave S

[AirMiles]

WOOHOO!!! This is the value of AirForums. I learned something today too!

[Mike1997]

If problems exist again and resetting does not help; considering its 9 years old, might want to check the control board inside the exterior compartment.

Mine is also a 3way Dometic model #RM4873. It is great on 12v or electric but never started on propane when I purchased it from original owner. Age and non-use can affect electronics. After the board was replaced its like new again.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by link2dks

GettinAway

Have you tried resetting the "Gas Fault" reset button, it's the last button on the right with a triangle symbol? Should be flashing red if the refrigerator wouldn't start in gas mode and it must be reset to try to light it again.

Dave S

Applause!

[Daquenzer]

Yay...!!!! Most of the time it’s something simple. We all learn something new.

[GettinAway]

Amazing how easy it was to “fix”. Interesting in that I talked to three AS dealers in various parts of the country and customer service in JC twice, and no one said that the flashing alarm on the right was a button. Quick reset and working like a champ. I was also surprised that this dometic fridge is made in Germany.