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Mandala
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 04:10pm
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Hey everyone,
I am a land manager and we have many small cabins. Before I got this job someone had installed propane fridges in the cabins.
So I am having a lot of trouble with the smaller versions. I have one big one, it has a freezer on top, running in my cabin with no problems. But the smaller ones I can't get started at all.
I can get them started some of the time, then they run for a few days. And then shut off.
I ordered a couple thermocouples that fit the model and I am going to see if these work. But I am not certain.
Today I had a fridge in one cabin that was working so I wanted to switch it out with a fridge that wasn't working in another cabin. But when I hooked it up to the propane it wouldn't stay lit like the other one.
So basically I can't get these fridges to stay lit and I am not sure why. I have never worked with propane fridges before.
Any insight would be very helpful.
thank you
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 04:17pm
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Could this be a gas input issue?
What is your LP supply?
Are the cabins all piped together?
Is the good working fridge on its own supply and regulator?
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 04:40pm
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sounds like a gas supply issue to me as well.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 05:07pm
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You need to be able to verify that a sufficient volume of propane at the correct pressure is available at the point of connection.
Have you any other propane devices that work and use the same supply pressure? Propane fridges, with piezo ignition, are my least favorite propane fueled device to "play with" starting.
A gas (propane and NG) manometer would cost about $50. That would allow pressure checking but do nothing for volume.
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Mandala
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 06:30pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 Could this be a gas input issue? What is your LP supply? Are the cabins all piped together? Is the good working fridge on its own supply and regulator?
What is an LP supply?
Each fridge is piped to its own tank. So the cabins are "individuals". A couple have a large tank in front of the house. But most of them run on a small tank we just stick in back. So yeah the good working fridge is on its own supply and regulator. Its on one of the big tanks. I think we only have two fridges that work well and they are on the big tanks where the supply line goes underground.
Quoting: ICC A gas (propane and NG) manometer would cost about $50. That would allow pressure checking but do nothing for volume.
How would I check the volume output? And where should I look to know what the fridge may need?
Thanks so much for the replies. I had a hunch it was a gas supply issue and this helped clear that up a bit for me. Sorry for my complete lack of knowledge around this.
Peace.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 08:30pm
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Quoting: Mandala How would I check the volume output?
I find the best way is to attach something like a weed burner torch. If the regulator can supply that it is good. No gauges or test equipment that I know of for a volume/capacity check.
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ICC
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 08:31pm
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Quoting: Mandala And where should I look to know what the fridge may need?
Fridges don't use much. A standard size Servel uses maybe a pound in 24 hours in a warm location. Not high volume.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 08:32pm
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LP = liquid propane... propane is a liquid in the tank.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 08:35pm
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There is also a small chance of having a cylinder of crappy propane. Not too likely in most places.
Try running the working fridge off one of the small tanks that are connected to a fridge that is giving you problems if you can easily move the small tank to the other place.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 09:00pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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You have one that works well, hook each of the others up to that tank and regulator.
If they work off that you know you have LP delivery issues with the others, most importantly you know if the fridges are good or not.
Your delivery system, tank and regulator, needs to deliver enough pressure to the unit/appliance pressure safety switch to open it up and flow to the burner.
Note that the small cylinders have stamped on the collar a 'tare weight' in pounds. That is the weight of an empty tank. A 20# tank will be the tare weight Plus 20# LP at full (though many places only put 15# LP in!). Weigh them on a bathroom scale, you may find you have little to no LP in them. Note that LP weighs about 4.2# per gal, imo you want At Least 1gal, preferably more to test run. And when LP gets down to 32degF with small cylinders too can have pressure/flow issues due to limited surface area in the tank.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2021 09:13pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 And when LP gets down to 32degF with small cylinders too can have pressure/flow issues due to limited surface area in the tank.
Very good point but a fridge uses such a small amount I think it would have to be damn cold for that to be the source of the problem.
A 25% full 20 lb cylinder can still supply 2000 BTU/hr at -20F. The Servel fridge uses 1500 BTU/hr at maximum burn. So unless IF the cylinder was a 20 pounder and almost empty AND it was colder than -20F the problem is likely elsewhere.
I have also found propane frisges sometimes hard to start when the pipes have been left unpressurized for a while... like sitting with everything shut off for weeks. But once started they usually burn fine for me.
Oh, some fridges are also very sinsitive to drafts blowing out the pilot flame. Check that the burner shields are in place. Also check for blockage in the burner tube and chimney pipe.
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