kaffi311
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Post by kaffi311 on Mar 5, 2018 16:13:09 GMT -8
My fridge and stove are now out of the camper. Is it recommended to hook them up to my propane and test them before I think of cleaning and reinstalling? PO said they both worked- but I surely don't want to find out later they don't.
Thanks
K
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Post by vikx on Mar 5, 2018 21:40:56 GMT -8
Absolutely. Connect to a BBQ bottle WITH A REGULATOR. Turn the bottle on slowly, and if you smell gas, stop. Check your connections to be sure there are no leaks.
I hope you left the lines intact so that they are easy to connect. Most fittings are 3/8 flare. You may need some unions or nuts for the connections.
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kaffi311
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Post by kaffi311 on Mar 6, 2018 20:55:33 GMT -8
Absolutely. Connect to a BBQ bottle WITH A REGULATOR. Turn the bottle on slowly, and if you smell gas, stop. Check your connections to be sure there are no leaks. I hope you left the lines intact so that they are easy to connect. Most fittings are 3/8 flare. You may need some unions or nuts for the connections. Vikx Ok- my lack of knowledge is gonna show here  Ok..so I can hook up the fridge- and it should turn on with just propane alone? Isn't there a pilot light of some sort? (God- hope thats not a totally stupid question). I know the stove I can check - ok to put a match to the burner and light? Thanks |
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 6, 2018 21:19:27 GMT -8
@vikx is it hard to add a connector for testing if the line has been cut?
My stove was taken out of a cardinal trailer and they cut the propane line. There is still a pretty good tail of copper tubing there.
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Post by vikx on Mar 6, 2018 21:26:01 GMT -8
You can add a nut and flare the tubing. Remove the line from the stove and take it in to have it done if you want. You'll need a 3/8 flare union and a hose/regulator for the LP tank as well. They aren't too spendy with a 3' hose...
OR: connect the hose and regulator directly to the stove gas nipple. Less parts and pieces to worry about. I'm pretty sure the stove nipple is 3/8 flare.
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Post by vikx on Mar 7, 2018 1:08:56 GMT -8
Kaffi, sorry to be late getting back to you. NO QUESTION IS STUPID. The only stupid thing is not to ask...
Connect the gas to the fridge, then turn on the gas slowly. Check the connections before proceeding. Soapy water works well. If you see bubbles, tighten the fitting until snug.
The fridge will have some kind of valve and possibly a piezo sparker. Turn the valve on at the back, the handle will be "inline" with the gas flow. If the handle is across the line, it is OFF.
When you are sure the gas is not leaking, you can try to light the fridge. There are many different configs on them, so I need to see what you have. Some have a very disconcerting way of lighting... a little flame follows a tube back to the burner, scary.
The burner just lights, no pilot on a fridge. The t'stat controls the height of the flame, which uses heat to cool. (complicated)
Same safety measures for the stove. Light the burners first to get the gas in the system. Try the oven next.
Let us know what happens.
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kaffi311
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Post by kaffi311 on Mar 7, 2018 15:48:59 GMT -8
Kaffi, sorry to be late getting back to you. NO QUESTION IS STUPID. The only stupid thing is not to ask... Let us know what happens. THANKs SO much!! You are just an amazing wealth of knowledge- and so very helpful. I will do this when the snow melts- just got another 10" today! Looking forward to seeing if they all work! So the heater I had just may be good to use if it is working? I would love to use it and not get a new one. Here are some photos:  IMG_0726 by kathy, on Flickr  IMG_0727 by kathy, on Flickr and the appliances:  IMG_0219 by kathy, on Flickr Thanks again- to everyone here. I brag all the time about the amazing help I have gotten from this forum! Would never have attempted this project without it !! and Mobiltec's videos/live class. SO very thankful |
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Post by vikx on Mar 7, 2018 21:32:39 GMT -8
The heater should be OK if it's not rusted out. Clean it out and air blow before trying to light. Also be sure the exhaust vent doesn't have debris.
I have my doubts on the fridge. They get cranky when old. Also not repairable. Have fun when the snow melts.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Mar 8, 2018 10:37:53 GMT -8
Turn the fridge upside down for 24 hours. Then turn it back right side up for 24 hours and then test. This relieves any bubbles that cause a fridge to not get cold...
As Vikx said, clean out your heater before testing. Make sure no birds nests have been created in the exhaust. Wasps tend to go make their nests in there also. I've cleaned up a few of these things and they worked well... Should have made a video of it but oh well.
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mel
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Post by mel on Mar 8, 2018 11:29:37 GMT -8
Turn the fridge upside down for 24 hours. Then turn it back right side up for 24 hours and then test. This relieves any bubbles that cause a fridge to not get cold... As Vikx said, clean out your heater before testing. Make sure no birds nests have been created in the exhaust. Wasps tend to go make their nests in there also. I've cleaned up a few of these things and they worked well... Should have made a video of it but oh well. Theres always next time |
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Post by vikx on Mar 8, 2018 21:24:20 GMT -8
I haven't had much luck turning the fridges over. 1 out of 20 worked, 19 didn't. With the hassle of removing the fridge and trying this, it's almost not worth it for maybe a year's worth of cooling. The one fridge did last about 18 months before blowing ammonia all over the motor home..
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