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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2020 08:21pm
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So.... about a 10 year old Consul propane fridge just not cooling right. I use it outside on the back deck as a beer fridge so.... this is an emergency!
I have over the last couple of months had to keep turning up the flame to get it to stay below 40*F. I have removed and cleaned the exhaust stack all the way down to the burner head.... it was actually pretty clean. Next I removed the nozzle and used some solvent and air to make sure it was clean... nothing was stuck into the orfice. Used a brass brush to clean the burner head and the piezio and thermostat sensor. Solvent in the pipe and a small nylon bristle brush to clean it out.
When I turned the gas back on and lit the burner it burned quite well. So I turned it down to around 3 where we used to run it.... over night the fridge went up to 50*F. I turned the burner up and the temp lowered a little. Now I have it almost all the way up and I think it is dropping.
My thoughts are if it is a coolant issue no amount of flame would help.... I'm missing some.
Thanks!
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2020 09:37pm
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Yeah warm beer is a problem, unless you're English.
Coolant would be my guess too, but only experience is with compressor refrigeration.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2020 10:47pm
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The problem developed suddenly? The fridge has been used by you for a period of time and all was well? Location changed? The fridge is level or very close to it?
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2020 10:51pm
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And, the weather... Is it extremely hot? Hotter than it had been when working ok?
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 07:46am
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I have 2 of them and both are struggling this week in this heat
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 08:43am - Edited by: Nobadays
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Yes has been working well. We move it in and out of the cabin when we leave for extended times. Last moved in March back onto the back deck. It started getting wacky after that move. It worked okay at first, then we needed to turn the flame up higher than normal.... then it froze everything so turned it back down. Seems we have been constantly fiddling with the flame trying to find a happy spot. What seems like the tiniest of turn on the knob affects the temp drastically.
Edit.... missed a question... yes level
Weather is not hot, our warmest day this year was a few days ago... it hit 78*F, nights upper 30's to upper 40's.
I turned the flame almost completely up yesterday afternoon and this morning the fridge was at 30*F. We use a thermometer in the fridge for temp. I turned it ever so slightly down this morning and hope it will stay cool. The biggest issue... besides warm beer... is I run this fridge off 5 gallon/20# bottles. It would go nearly a month off a bottle but at this rate I don't think so.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 09:07am
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I have heard you can burp them by rolling them end over end. Google it.
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 09:10am
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I’ve had some luck burping. Lay it down on its side for 1 hr. The onto the roof. Then the other side. Then back to normal. Might be worth a try
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 09:14am
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Brett... yep, I'm kind of wondering if that is the issue. I helped role one completely upside down at least 30 years ago.... a huge old propane fridge, took three of us. It went back to working!
I read that the ammonia, rust inhibitors, and water that the coolant is made up of can form crystals and these can block the lines.... burping helps clear them out.
Just not sure if that is the issue, but probably wouldn't hurt to try. I read you can just lay it on its side, no need for upside down..... anybody? Should it be turned onto its top?
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 10:11am - Edited by: MtnDon
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We had a Servel that went wonky a few years ago. I stood it on its head overnite, then back upright, waited another 24 hours and it worked. Good luck
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2020 03:21pm
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Sounds like burping.... dang that thing is heavy. Might have to wait until I have some help.
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