Just wondering if anyone knows of issues that could affect a fridge that hasn't been run in awhile? I'm not 100% sure mine is cooling correctly. I'm going to do more investigating today, but wanted to know if there is something I'm possibly missing. Do they need an occasional freon charge? What is the coldest setting 1 or 7? Any advice on starting (how do you know it's lit? What is the process for lighting?) Any help would be great.
Sun, 12/15/2019 - 07:11
#1
Propane Fridge Tricks or Gottchas
There is no freon in the frig they use ammonia for coolant. When they loose a charge you can smell it if is a recent fail. It does not happen often but usually easier/ cheaper to replace the frig. First I would plug it into 115V ac to see if it cools in that mode. With gas make sure your lines of purged of air and the regulator is working. Do this by running yor range top first. It still may be a little trapped air near the frig so it make still take a little while to light. Look in the back of the frig to see the flame under the round heat exchanger can. I have had some friges you could only see the flame at night unless you moved the flame protectors, With the Scamp frig with inside controls you can hear the flame light from inside the trailer with the frig door open. Can't help with the numbers setting when in doubt set it mid range. This time of year when it is freezing outside the thermostat will not let the frig go into operate mode. On the older friges you may have to push in on a pilot light button for about 30 seconds to heat the thermocouple so the frig stays lit. For more specific answers please include make and model # and or pictures.
Eddie
Note: Once lit it can take 12-24 hours for the frig to cool down. The freezer cools down first.
I’ve had 4 refrigerators in 3 RVs, and they all had about the same performance. It took overnight to cool and generally ran about 30 degrees below ambient temperature and that’s with a small fan inside to help the air flow. One of mine lost the ammonia years ago and I mounted it on the wall of my shop for welding rod storage, still now years later I smell ammonia when I open it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=dSpBHIYgyGE&feature=emb_logo Is a Scamp posted video of a couple of refrigerators that they have used. Note that the flame view window is useless unless the Scamp is dark inside. After it has been lit for a while you can open the panel out side and feel of the chimney, it should be warm/hot. Also, I do run the refrigerator on gas while on the road and have not had trouble so far. Mine is located on curb side and stays lit. On street side they may not when meeting traffic on two lane highways. ALWAYS SHUT OFF LP TANKS BEFORE PULLING UP TO THE GAS PUMPS when running the refrigerator on gas. PS: I think of the setting as the higher the number, the higher the flame and the more cooling.
As already confirmed the higher the number the colder it should try to get. Also one of the most effective test is by using it on electric as the heating system is more consistent and less likely to be wrong. If the boiler/chimney is very warm to very hot it is likely the correct amount of heat for the system to cool. the LP portion has more problems with dirty burners, spider webs in the burner and many others . This way you confirm the cooling operation then work on each system.
2019 Scamp 13 standard
Thanks guys. With a bit of cleaning and trial and error I successfully got the propane burner going late yesterday evening. It wasn't as had as I had thought. When I found the observation door I tried a few times with the striker and then opted for a stove match... lit right up. I'll check the temp tonight. Then I'll try each of the other functions for 24 hours and see if it holds temp. One question, will it run off 12V if the TV vehicle isn't attached (sounds like an obvious question, as the lights work on DC with no TV attached, but thought I'd make sure). Thanks again to everyone.
For future reference, I'll differ to the sites massive archive. I had everything I needed before my second cup of coffee in bed Saturday! Thanks again fellow Scampers... the knowledge base for our camper is clearly unparalleled in the industry and gives new owners like me great comfort!
Yes it will run on the 12v but not long since it draws around 10+amps and the inverter is not really up to it if plugged in.
2019 Scamp 13 standard
So given the controversy regarding running the fridges' LP flame while traveling, I assume the 12v operation is for when the trailer is hooked to the TV? In other words, if I did run it while not connected it would drain the battery (likely before I completed my 24 hour cool test), but does ok when continually charged by the TV?
If the charge wire and ground wire to the 7way plug is 12ga or even 10ga you should be fine. It is likely around 10+ amps of DC power needed and should be supplied by the TV as you suggested. . Our 2019 13 does quite well on the 12volt while traveling and lunch stops and short excursions have not been an issue. Ours refuses to operate reliably on LP while traveling. yet works well when stopped. I would not recommend more than a couple hours max on the battery. and under an hour is best. The load is similar to leaving your headlights on and is then tough for the TV to recharge the camper and TV battery in short order .
2019 Scamp 13 standard
The refridgerator cooled down nicely after 24 hours. Even the freezer seems to be working fine. Thanks again.
Scamp is redoing several of their videos, all well done high quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54fwCAG_DQ