Fridge won’t stay lit on the highway

[Mr Magoo]

New 2023 23DBS with a Norcold fridge. The flame is nice and blue and appears to be just as strong as our previous trailer. But in 15 years I can only recall the old Norcold blowing out one time. This new one blows out within a few miles at highway speed every time. Before I start measuring WC and fiddling with aluminum foil in the side vent and roof vent, I thought I’d see if anyone with this setup has experienced the same issue. The factory 170 watt solar panel is mounted directly forward of the roof vent so I’m wondering if there’s a disturbance in the air flowing over the vent cap. The wife was less than enthusiastic about getting up on the roof with the leaf blower while I observe the flame so I guess I gotta trade places with her.

[ttavasc]

I think I've only experienced the fridge blowing out once on our 2019 23DBS, and that was when we were coming across Idaho with a good stiff crosswind hitting the passenger side of the trailer. I've attached a picture of my fridge area - might be interesting to see if there is any difference between my older unit and your newer one that might explain things.

[David 70]

I had a 5th wheel that the flame would go out. I never did find a solution. The only thing I could think of was that the air coming down the slope of the front part was causing a turbulence and causing the air in the back of the fridge to blow out the flame. I tried blocking the bottom side vent. putting baffles in the roof vent and other things and nothing helped. I got rid of it and got a class A gas. Thought I had problems before?

[rpeders]

2019 250RDS with N8XC that wouldn't stay lit while moving. Tried various baffles and finally got this setup which works. Basically just 2 pieces of rectangular roof flashing screwed together and then cut out as needed to fit around piping. Used rubberized electrical tape on sharp edges.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/norc...ml#post6598699

[Dave Pelletier]

Ours used to blow out when driving before I fabricated a small baffle to protect the flame. I don't have a pic but it's just a small angle pce of galvanized sheet metal I made that just covers the burner and is held on by the one existing screw.

Dave

[Mr Magoo]

Good info guys. Thanks! I like the baffle ideas. Especially after looking at the pic @ttavasc posted. I have a bigger gap between the chimney and the burner box with no exposed insulation to help keep the wind out. I’m going to experiment with some aluminum foil and if that works, then come up with something more permanent. Take a look at this pic and you’ll see the gap I’m talking about. Also, here’s a pic of our old trailer. The whole thing is completely boxed in.

[ttavasc]

One other note on my 2019 23DBS - I have bug screens over the vents of the exterior fridge cover. I wonder if those affect the air flow enough to prevent the flame from being blown out under most circumstances. Otherwise, looking at your picture compared to mine they are basically the same.

Edit: Attached the below picture where you can see the installed bug screens and how much they reduce the vent openings.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by Mr Magoo

Good info guys. Thanks! I like the baffle ideas. Especially after looking at the pic @ttavasc posted. I have a bigger gap between the chimney and the burner box with no exposed insulation to help keep the wind out. I’m going to experiment with some aluminum foil and if that works, then come up with something more permanent. Take a look at this pic and you’ll see the gap I’m talking about. Also, here’s a pic of our old trailer. The whole thing is completely boxed in.

Yep, I basically removed that little bottom cover in the "gap" and replaced it with a pce that extended up and over the top. Fastened it with the same little factory screw.

Dave

[TJPOLSIN]

Have you had the pressure regulator coming off the propane tanks tested? It might be set too low.

[MooseCountry]

Our 2023 ORV 20BD Norcold refrigerator stayed lit on propane consistently heading through Denver to Minnesota and back through Casper, Wyoming on our 3 week trip last October. However, those regions were all at elevations under the 5,500 feet altitude recommended by Norcold to run on propane. When we traveled through the higher elevations of 7,000 plus feet in the Rockies to and from Western Colorado closer to where we live the refrigerator wouldn't always stay lit on the highway. Had to check on it quite often especially from Western Colorado to Denver and from Casper to Western Colorado. The flame will sometimes go out while the trailer is stationary while parked in our region at 10,000 feet altitude.

[Teakmtn]

2019 25RDS, fridge would blow out while traveling every time. Saw on here some folks put up sheet metal barriers and all kinds of contraptions. I took off the door/panel and just took some aluminum tape over part of the vents towards the front of the panel and that fixed the problem. easy Peasy.
Doug T.

[Mr Magoo]

Yes, I did check the pressure at the fridge valve and had 12.2 inches of water. Figured that was close enough to 11" so didn't bother trying to tweak it. I also have the bug screens in place but haven't been out on the road since installing them. I'm going to play with some wind blocking and I'll report back with results. It may be awhile since the weather is turning cold but then again, cold weather is what I bought the ORV for in the first place! Thanks again for all the suggestions!

[Gammel]

Our '20 21RWS used to be hit or miss. Before this trip I cleaned it out really well. It went out once the first or second day but since then it has been perfect for 3500 miles! The only two things that are different are the cleaning and the fact that it has been cool and/or cold but I can't see how that has any effect. Go figure.