Refrigerator problem

[James J_829]

Have a 2021 Thor Four Winds, 8,800 miles, recent purchase. All works fine except the fridge only cools on 110 volt, and it works great. No cooling on the road. What am I doing wrong? I’m a newbie to RV’ing. Thanks!

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

You probably need to run on propane when not plugged to shore power. Could you post a pic of the refrigerator control panel showing the buttons?

 

[DavidEM]

Unless it is a compressor fridge, ie no propane, then follow CH’s advice above.

David

 

[James J_829]

It’s in storage, will go and take a picture this week. Thanks!!

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I'm making an assumption it's a legacy two-way AC/propane at this point. If it's a 12v compressor type, we can switch horses when that time comes.

The reason for the pic is different manufacturers use different methods (buttons) to switch from 120v to propane. There's usually an "automatic" setting so when electric is off it will switch to propane automatically.

Obviously the FIRST question is... is there propane in the tank? Does the stove work? Water heater?

Second... is your house battery sufficiently charged? Do the overhead lights work when unplugged from shore power? A two-way fridge still requires 12v power to operate on propane.

 

[James J_829]

I'm making an assumption it's a legacy two-way AC/propane at this point. If it's a 12v compressor type, we can switch horses when that time comes.

The reason for the pic is different manufacturers use different methods (buttons) to switch from 120v to propane. There's usually an "automatic" setting so when electric is off it will switch to propane automatically.

Obviously the FIRST question is... is there propane in the tank? Does the stove work? Water heater?

Second... is your house battery sufficiently charged? Do the overhead lights work when unplugged from shore power? A two-way fridge still requires 12v power to operate on propane.

Tank is near full, valve open. Battery was charged (last March) but just installed a new one. Stove, a/c, heat, water heater, and overhead lights all work fine.

 

[ghnl]

Have a 2021 Thor Four Winds, 8,800 miles, recent purchase. All works fine except the fridge only cools on 110 volt, and it works great. No cooling on the road. What am I doing wrong? I’m a newbie to RV’ing. Thanks!

Unless you have an inverter (changes 12V DC to 120V AC) the 'fridge will not work on 120V when driving (unless you're also running the generator). To have cooling while driving it must work on propane. Our 'fridge has three positions on the switch - Auto, Gas, Off. On Auto it checks for 120V - if not available it switches to gas. If I select 'Gas' then it stays on gas and does not use 120V.

If you select Gas (or unplug from shore power) do you hear the ignitor clicking? Usually after three tries if the gas burner does not ignite it shuts off. If the gas ignites but the sensor doesn't sense the flame it'll also shut off. And, the circuitry requires 12V. If the voltage is too low it won't work.

 

[16ACE27]

Have a 2021 Thor Four Winds, 8,800 miles, recent purchase. All works fine except the fridge only cools on 110 volt, and it works great. No cooling on the road. What am I doing wrong? I’m a newbie to RV’ing. Thanks!

What model Four Winds?

 

[10scDust]

One thing I can think of and not mentioned: The refrigerator controls are generally controlled by 12vdc even when plugged to shore power 120vac.
The stow/store switch needs to be on. along with correct setting on the fridge panel. If it switched to use propane, I have had to crack the propane supply at/near the refrigerator's access panel. Then tighten it back up, try it when off of shore power, switch to on gas or auto, listen for the clicking of the ignitor and the rush of burning flame. You could also check the solenoid valve, for gas flow, is magnetizing when the system is trying to start.

 

[16ACE27]

One thing I can think of and not mentioned: The refrigerator controls are generally controlled by 12vdc even when plugged to shore power 120vac.
The stow/store switch needs to be on. along with correct setting on the fridge panel. If it switched to use propane, I have had to crack the propane supply at/near the refrigerator's access panel. Then tighten it back up, try it when off of shore power, switch to on gas or auto, listen for the clicking of the ignitor and the rush of burning flame. You could also check the solenoid valve, for gas flow, is magnetizing when the system is trying to start.

If it is an absorption fridge that uses 12 VDC control power (we don't know what kind of fridge he has); that control power would be supplied by the converter on SP regardless of the position of the "stow/store" switch.

 

[NOMO925]

Turn on the inverter while driving.

 

[Jimbo57]

As 10scDust mentioned if it’s propane on our 5th wheel(2006 Jazz) the first of the trip it may take 5 times turning to gas and wait to see if light burns steady which is good or flashing meaning try again till gas gets to burner and like 16ace27 said if you are comfortable crack open flare nut at burner till you smell gas then tighten back up and check connection with soapy water mix looking for bubbles

 

[bjslifeline]

We have a 2018 Thor four wins 28Z we had a similar problem and we had to take the panel off outside where the refrigerator vent is and clean that out. It was covered with dirt debris and bug spiders. What not once that was clean, our refrigerator went back to working on propane hopefully that helps.