Fridge Problems only on Propane

[carnivore]

I’m beating my head against the wall on this one and would love some input.

Our 2019 E2 has a 3 -way Norcold model N412.3 FUL fridge Sn# NR00iy5 

It seems to work perfectly fine on both AC and DC but has a problem when running on propane.  The temperature won't get any colder than 50-55 and the freezer and only goes to between 25-35. 

The flame seems to always ignite just fine and looks blue and normal, so I don’t suspect a propane or solenoid or gas flow problem.  

Steps taken so far:

1-The burner tube with gas jet looked fine with no carbon buildup but I changed it out for a new one anyway. Flame still looks blue and good.

2-Replaced the thermistor with a new one and put it on the same fin as the original which is center of #5 from the right. 

Problem NOT solved so I

3-changed out the circuit 628661 board.

4- Ran a 12 gage swab down the burner tube but it as well as the helix diffuser was already clean with zero carbon buildup.

Problem still unresolved

 I did not change the smaller approx 2”x4” green board that sets next to the main board. I believe this one is called the DC control board.  This could be next step but like I mentioned, it works fine on AC & DC.

Anyone have any suggestions for my next course of action?

 

[Ronbrink]

16 hours ago, carnivore said:

I’m beating my head against the wall on this one and would love some input.

Your LP regulator may not be functioning properly, check if the cooktop operates correctly or the QC ports, if equipped. Switch the regulator to the other tank, a tank valve may have been opened too fast and has an internal shutdown. If that doesn’t work close each and reopen slowly for the first quarter turn to reset. 

[carnivore]

Ron, I don't think it is a propane flow problem.  The burner lights immediately when the control board demands.  I don't have a manometer or whatever the necessary tool is to check propane pressure, however when the fridge burner is burning, I have lit both stovetop burners as well as turned the water heater to propane and fridge burner tube and stove burners stayed blue with no sign of fuel starvation.  This problem has me baffled so far.  

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, carnivore said:

Ron, I don't think it is a propane flow problem.  The burner lights immediately when the control board demands.

Can't see how the "fridge burner is burning" and it's not cooling. Your fridge may be fried, sorry to say.

We're hoping ours lasts forever as I have not yet seen a single compressor fridge that can freeze two steaks and two trays of ice at the same time!

[Rivernerd]

15 hours ago, carnivore said:

This problem has me baffled so far.  

Have you opened a ticket with Oliver Service?  They may know.

[MAX Burner]

On 9/29/2024 at 10:25 PM, jd1923 said:

We're hoping ours lasts forever as I have not yet seen a single compressor fridge that can freeze two steaks and two trays of ice at the same time!

Same here!  We're "keeping our fingers crossed" and "knocking on wood" hoping that our Dometic fridge hangs in there.  It cools fast and freezes nicely - we usually run ours on level 7.  The two heat exhaust fans we installed seemed to have helped increase its overall efficiency.

[Ronbrink]

20 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

It cools fast and freezes nicely - we usually run ours on level 7.  The two heat exhaust fans we installed seemed to have helped increase its overall efficiency.

Just returned from a week long trip since the two exterior exhaust and an interior fin fan were installed on the Norcold 3-way. Prior uses required levels 7-9 depending on time of year, for example level 9 in 100+ Texas temps. Although ambient temps this go were mostly mid 80 to lower 90s, level 5 was the sweet spot for all modes of operation; level 6 was not egg friendly at the top shelf in front of the fin/fan combo and ice in the freezer was too cold to handle with wet fingers! No doubt this fan system, as described, vastly improved the efficiency of my unit and will hopefully extend its’ life. 

[jd1923]

6 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

Same here!  We're "keeping our fingers crossed" and "knocking on wood" hoping that our Dometic fridge hangs in there.  It cools fast and freezes nicely - we usually run ours on level 7.  The two heat exhaust fans we installed seemed to have helped increase its overall efficiency.

Our hull, older than yours and @Ronbrink's has only 5 levels. We run on #4 unless it's really hot outside. Have not tried out the new Beech Lane dual fan yet with fridge on and full of food.

Leaving a week from tomorrow for the Texas Rally (a slow 10 days getting there)! The fridge always ran pretty well, freezer great. Hopefully with the fan will allow for better cooling in the fridge section, getting water bottles in the door shelving cold more quickly. 

[Ronbrink]

39 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Have not tried out the new Beech Lane dual fan yet with fridge on and full of food.

The inside fan for air circulation really helped in spreading the cold and maintaining a more consistent temperature.

[jd1923]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:01 PM, Ronbrink said:

The inside fan for air circulation really helped in spreading the cold and maintaining a more consistent temperature.

Leaving next week for the Texas Rally. Ordered this interior fan today and should have time to install it in the next few days.

Ron, how did you connect this interior fan to available 12VDC?

Edited Friday at 03:02 AM by jd1923

[Ronbrink]

8 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Ron, how did you connect this interior fan to available 12VDC?

The interior fin fan wire was routed through an existing port in my Norcold, as seen in the above pic. The wire was then connected to a constant power source behind the fridge. You may recall that I tapped into the Oliver’s 12V DC to create two sets of lead lines, one for the interior fin fan another for the exterior exhaust fans (first pic). In your installation of the exterior fans the existing small block was used to provide power (second pic). Simply connect the interior fin fan leads to that block, as well.

 

[Ronbrink]

On 9/29/2024 at 6:18 PM, carnivore said:

Ron, I don't think it is a propane flow problem.  The burner lights immediately when the control board demands.  I don't have a manometer or whatever the necessary tool is to check propane pressure, however when the fridge burner is burning, I have lit both stovetop burners as well as turned the water heater to propane and fridge burner tube and stove burners stayed blue with no sign of fuel starvation.  This problem has me baffled so far.  

My apologies for the post highjack. Getting back to your issue, any resolve? If your unit works fine on AC/DC, the problem could be the propane oriface impairing gas flow. 

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

The interior fin fan wire was routed through an existing port

I noticed the existing hole in your picture the other day and then forget about it when I asked the question. Once fished through to the exterior bottom, the rest is straightforward. It's great there is an existing hole and thank you for your help!