Freezer works Refigerator not so much

[DamnYuppie]

When I set my refrigerator to use propane my freezer works fine but my refrigerator doesn't get down below 50. Yet when I am on shore power both seem to work fine. Any ideas on what I should look at that is causing the issue?

I have a 2016 Glacier Peak Titanium so this unit is relatively new.

[Randy the sly old fox]

Interesting - the freezer and refer are both part of the same circuit. There is only one spot where the ammonia is boiled by either a flame or a heating element. So what you are describing seems impossible. I would expect the propane to have a higher heat than the electric element therefore the entire refer would be cooler - not just the freezer - the same with the refer. Have you actually taken the temps of both sections under both power sources? or are you just guessing at the temp

[Spk64]

Originally Posted by DamnYuppie

When I set my refrigerator to use propane my freezer works fine but my refrigerator doesn't get down below 50. Yet when I am on shore power both seem to work fine. Any ideas on what I should look at that is causing the issue?

I have a 2016 Glacier Peak Titanium so this unit is relatively new.

Sounds like there may be an issue with the burner. They need to be cleaned out occasionally. You should be getting better performance from the burner.

[DamnYuppie]

Originally Posted by Randy the sly old fox

Interesting - the freezer and refer are both part of the same circuit. There is only one spot where the ammonia is boiled by either a flame or a heating element. So what you are describing seems impossible. I would expect the propane to have a higher heat than the electric element therefore the entire refer would be cooler - not just the freezer - the same with the refer. Have you actually taken the temps of both sections under both power sources? or are you just guessing at the temp

Yes I have measured the temperatures. With propane the freezer is at 30 degrees and the refrigerator is at 50 degrees. On shore power the freezer is at 29 degrees and the refrigerator is at 36 degrees.

[monitormix]

Ironically, this exact same issue happened with us this weekend! I've checked all the fuses,thermistor and 120VAC heating element all were good. Just can't seem to get to the burner compartment very well.

[brulaz]

That is odd. But maybe it's just a matter of the propane burner not putting out enough heat.

I blow out my burner and flue every year to get rid of nests and carbon build up (hot water heater too).

And check that the flame is adjusted properly and not too yellow, and that it's getting all the propane it needs (other propane utilities working ok?).

[DavenFla]

Freezers should be around 0* F ... + or - 5* F. Since it's conductive cooling from the freezer to the frig there is always a relationship. My frig runs about 30-35* warmer than the freezer.

How many settings from warmest to coldest? I keep mine on 5 (medium) and the freezer output is 3*F. When I put it on 9 (coldest setting) freezer is -10*F and stuff will ice up in the frig.

Do you have a laser thermometer? Good to have for many, many things including Freezer/frig, AC, heat, hot water temperature, hub-tire-brake temperatures on your trailer and tow vehicle.

[DamnYuppie]

Originally Posted by DavenFla

Do you have a laser thermometer? Good to have for many, many things including Freezer/frig, AC, heat, hot water temperature, hub-tire-brake temperatures on your trailer and tow vehicle.

I do have a laser thermometer and that is how I took the measurements. I will see if there is some thing interfering with the burner.

[Randy the sly old fox]

sounds like you are not getting enough heat with either propane or electricity - as you are really not getting cold enough period.

Running off level will cause the flame to heat the riser tube unevenly and cause a poor boil.

There may also be other issues inside the condenser that absorbs the heat out of the freezer and refer boxes.

As others have said there could also be problems with the burner and flue areas.

[DamnYuppie]

Got a hold of support at Outdoor RV today. The indicated that I should take it into the dealer I most likely have a gas pressure issue. Their reasoning was that we know the refrigerator works fine as when it has shore power it works great. So most likely issue is gas pressure.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by DamnYuppie

Yes I have measured the temperatures. With propane the freezer is at 30 degrees and the refrigerator is at 50 degrees. On shore power the freezer is at 29 degrees and the refrigerator is at 36 degrees.

Originally Posted by DamnYuppie

Got a hold of support at Outdoor RV today. The indicated that I should take it into the dealer I most likely have a gas pressure issue. Their reasoning was that we know the refrigerator works fine as when it has shore power it works great. So most likely issue is gas pressure.

No it isn't.........

Electric -----29*F freezer and 36*F food compartment
Propane ----30*F freezer and 50*F food compartment

Those are NOT good temps.
And I suspect your method of temp measurement cause freezer temps can not be that high and food compartment get lower.
IR Guns do NOT measure fridge temps very well.
Should use thermometer in glass of water or temp probe.

Freezer has to get below 10*F before food compartment will begin cooling down'------heat gets absorbed by cold ammonia vapor in freezer evap 1ST.
Until freezer is COLD the cold ammonia vapor doesn't have any absorption ability left for food compartment

Electric is getting food compartment cold enough...which means freezer compartment temp is NOT 29*F (HAS to be much colder)

Propane is not getting same affect because it is NOT boiling as much ammonia into a vapor thru perk tube.
Poor flame, low propane pressure, dirty burner slots, sooty/carboned flue and especially the spiral baffle in flue

Heta trnasfer by electric and propane are almost the same...electric directly via conduction (element in direct contact) and propane via conduction thru a clean spiral baffle provided flame is STRONG, BLUE and just entering the flue opening


Use a different method to measure temps
Clean up burner, flue/baffle

[Bob_C]

Light the stove...all burners.....with the fridge off.....Then start the fridge and at the same time, watch the flame on the burners....if the flame starts getting yellow, or shrinks in height, the regulator has a problem.....and open the bottle slowly so the pigtail safety valve doesn't get triggered

[Mr_D]

Would be nice to know what refer make and model you have before getting too far off topic.

[Mtn Dave]

had the same issue the problem was oil left in gas line during construction. Need to open and drain any oil left in supply line, then remove orifice, clean with alcohol and compressed air. flame should be stronger and refer should cool fine
Good Luck