Running This Norcold RV Refrigerator On Propane Gives Flame Out (FL) Fault Code
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2019
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Certified Mobile RV Technician, Darren Koepp, diagnosis this Norcold RV refrigerator that is working on LP but cuts out after some time and gives an FL fault. Watch as he covers multiple possible issues before finding the final fix.
If you are in need of RV Repairs in the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state, submit a service request on our website at myrvworks.com today!
Topic: Fridge - LP flame-out
System: Fridge on LP (Norcold in this case)
Tools Used:
Slack Tube - amzn.to/2K1c9lw
Gas Leak Detector - amzn.to/2XUdJPL
Happy Camper Embroidered Cap - amzn.to/2Yg5RYm
Propper Men's Short Sleeve Tactical Shirt - amzn.to/2XXF1Vu
Propper Men's Tactical Pant Poly/Cotton Ripstop - amzn.to/2Yh4BUC
Related Video's:
LP Playlist: • RV LP System
LP Pressure Test: RV Propane Overview & Three Tests To Ensure Proper Propane Function
Film Date: 7/17/2019
Location: Port Angeles , WA
Presented by: Certified RV Service Technician Darren Koepp of My RV Works, Inc.
Camera:
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Native Camera
16:9 FHD 1920x1080
Version 9.0.01.38
Audio:
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Native Microphone
Music:
"My RV Works-Jam"
Composed by Steve Patry - Four Faces Band
As a skilled technician of many skilled trades througbout the decades, I have come to learn from many gurus on the ins and outs of trouble shooting. one of the most important rules that I always remember is that when you encounter an issue sometimes especially when it's a new install or recently installed, dentist office treated as if it was a new and work backwards from there. but indeed in many skilled trades there are a specific scenarios or situations that arrives at only have a certain cause and effect that create these recognizable issues. I think you did a phenomenal job and I appreciated your thoroughness. I'll be honored in the work with you as your assistant anyday. unless of course you're looking for a senior tech to help out. I just finished 16 years as an engineer in draftsman due to the experiences that I learned as a tech. after learning codes, how to use the UI, anything is possible if done in small steps. which is what you demonstrated here more than anything. Thanks again buddy!!!
Jeromy Crenshaw
Thanks for all the great videos. One of the reasons your videos are so good is that you make them real world by leaving in what really happens to all of us as we investigate and attempt repairs to see if that fixes the problem.
Thank You for taking time to show us (me) what I can do if I have problems. I have used your information to do a few things already as well as passing along your channel to other RV owners. This is really like an apprenticeship where a "Master Technician" takes the time to bring others along so that we are all informed. Please keep up the great work, I really enjoy it...
😅i
I like the fact that you do it your way and thought it was hilarious when you made it clear that you will continue to do so! I don't understand why some people feel they have to criticize or judge.
Thanks for the helpful and informative videos. I have been retired for two years and just started working part time at an RV repair shop. Your videos are a great help and I enjoy them.
I was having this problem and I followed your steps and it works. A note, is to turn the unit OFF after unplugging from AC and turnON. Lit right up. Thanks for the clear expertise.
Thanks again Darren. I appreciate your none scripting. I've been working on RV's for years and I strongly agree with your philosophy, every costumer issue is a process of discovery. Rarely is a issue black and white. I've been watching youtube for years and created an account so I can sub to your channel.
Darren, I am not an RV owner yet (hopefully soon), but I really appreciate your troubleshooting style and your step by step videos. As a DIY person, who was very unsure of how all these systems work together, you have done a great job at explaining it all. Every tech I know have different troubleshooting styles but your methods seem to ensure correction multiple issues that possibly exist along the way. Keep up the good work! And most importantly, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
Thanks for your comment! It is fun to read the contrary comments on how I coulda', shoulda', woulda' done it if I would have listened to the other people. I will continue doing it my way and give them all something to comment about LOL. Thanks for watching, I will have more videos coming out it's just been a super busy and I haven't had time to make more videos. But we have more on the way.
I love the methods you use to troubleshoot. Thank You for sharing.
I certainly appreciate your explanation of the process you go through. The process is much like if not identical to what we are learning at the RVTI training facility in Elkhart Indiana. I am able to go to class and get the head knowledge and then bounce that off of your practical applications. I have purchased things from your Amazon store as a thanks for the OJT. Keep up the great work we in the class speak of you in class often and the service you provide. Grace and Peace to you brother.
Love how simple you make this with how you explain everything. First video I have watched re: FL code and I don't feel like I need to watch another.
Darren, I think you should seriously consider adding a "Fan Funding" button to receive donations for your EXTREMELY VALUABLE repair advice. Most of the videos I've had to watch agonizing, wasting my value time waiting for the instructions to finally after 10-15 minutes discover the "how to" steps where skipped over or just were not clear in explaining it AT ALL. You Tube doesn't offer a rating system or any filtering option so, after having no choice but to sit through so many of the "all about me" videos to finally find your wonderful playlist of video instruction by an RV REPAIR PROFESSIONAL, well it's VERY VALUABLE TO ME!! I am so grateful that you are offering your expertise. Thank you!
I'll check back later to see if you've added the donation buttons on your videos so, I can put some TIP MONEY in your piggy bank. LOL!
It would be so wonderful I could get paid for all these repairs I'm helping people make on their own. I get comments that I save them a lot of money and it would be wonderful if they could help pay for my Island. LOL. I've asked my team to look into some options at this end. We found out the Donate button is for nonprofits so that won't work. There's also the idea of patreon and a few other sites but I don't know if it's worth having some videos for free and some videos for pay so looking at other options as well. We might put something directly on our webpage but we'll see how that works out and what that would look like. Thanks for watching and thanks for being a fan. Happy camping!
Mine won't even try to start. I don't get any flame, tried to manually light it, no LP in the lines but I have LP working with everything else.
As a owner of (2) previous RV trailers and the current owner of a large Keystone Outback with complex systems, I have hundred's of RV repair videos regarding Tech advice and they have helped me on several occasions.That said, your series is by FAR the finest program of its type on the Net! The key factors that make your channel work so well is that you leave nothing out in your series. You take the time to show others the step by step process with each issue you face and how to correct it. You also explain your reasoning, which is critical. I have found your explanations clear; plus you tell viewers not only WHAT you are doing, but WHY. Many Tech's forget this key element. I am now a subscriber of your channel and I will urge my RV friends to do the same. You are doing a great service to others by your work and knowledge, especially those far away from Northern Washington. I would suggest anyone in your area use your services and bypass the other vendors. Your honestly comes through in your videos and that is a key element when paying someone for their expertise.You are making a difference.TMOregon
Wow, thanks for the great comment. (I'll have to read it to my kids to let them know that their Dad is a big deal on RUclips! LOL) I really do try to do my best for my customers and for my subscribers. Thank you for watching. We've been really busy lately so I haven't been doing as many videos as I would like to, but I do have some planned when it slows down a bit with more breakdown, tear down and rebuild. Things like that to serve more people. I never expected this RUclips channel to take off as it has, it certainly has opened up new opportunities that we need to figure out what to do with. I appreciate your comments!
Liked your video. One time i worked on a wilf range. Pilot light in oven kept going out. This was at a day care center. I notices the pilot light flame sputtered slightly. Went to the gas meter. The vent cap was loose on the regulator. Little hand prints were seen in the dirt. Took the vent cap off the regulator. Yep! Full of sand.
You are the man!! My domestic rv fridge was not working on lp... I followed your tip, and it worked... thank you
The diagnostics of any repair is the most enjoyable part of the process, for me, and a necessary part of any repair. This ability, in my opinion, separates the DIY'rs or R&R Techs from the Professional Diagnostic Technicians who, by the way, are also qualified to do the repairs with confidence. Being a retired Auto Technician, I can appreciate your process of elimination. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Peace!
The information you provide is appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Darren, I thought you might enjoy this one. In 2014 Thor 27K our fridge was giving FL fault. Checked gas tank valve, closed and opened. FL fault again. Could here arcing and new fridge was trying. Turned gas switch on control board off and on. FL fault. Turned 120 volt switch for inverter in control board to on and the fridge lit up and worked. Happy Camper! Few weeks later, I figured it out. The gas switch was connected to the 120 v inverter and the120 v inverter switch was connected to gas solenoid. Bought it used, so do not know how it got flopped.
Excellent sleuthing on your part. Yes, I've come across so many strange wiring jobs with an RVs. It's always good to follow the trail and never assume LOL
@@MyRVWorks If I may ask a question, where is the LP gas solenoid located in a class A typically? When traveling I’m told to shut gas off for safety. If the solenoid is at the tank, is that safe enough, or keep turning the valve in and out? Or are the safety nuts just wrong?
Hi Darren thanks for the video. I have a norcold N611
Very detailed vids! Thanks
My popup fridge starts w gas but turns off once I take my finger off the igniter?
Did you get this figured out?
My propane gas tube was clogged up at burner-- took out and cleaned up and soaked in brake cleaner for 10 min now i have a full flame. The hole in gas tube pipe is microscopic opening... to regulate propane into burner and can easily get clogged. Also I opened top vent and looked down and notices plywood scraps laying on top of the condenser pipes partially blocking the flow of air. I removed them and blew off dust off off pipes with yard blower. I added a 12V .05 amp computer fan in flue below top vent duct with a switch to turn on to help increase air flow in flu.
Thanks for the overview. Very informative. And yes, you gotta go through various steps to determine the culprit. Nothing is straightforward. Safe travels
Super informative.. we have a brand new Arctic Fox 25W travel trailer. Been hooked up to land line AC since we got it. Did our first maiden voyage to local dry campground 7 miles from home (thank goodness). Switched to LP and nothing but sputtering and clicking from inside the panel at rear of fridge outside. Know the fridge works (hence being hooked up to AC). With controls set to "auto" why would it not kick on using the 12V DC? Thanks!!
Great video and great job! I currently have a refrigerator LP issue. Will start with your steps. Thank you!
Darren. Thank you for videos. I have similar problem the flame is staying on with propane but the fridge is still not cooling . Working great with electricity switch to propane get a steady flame bug fridge and freezer get hot. Any help or ideas. Thank you
Seems I have the same problem but on a 1200. Cleaned and blew out with canned air and vaccuum and flame still goes wonky. Could the upward blowing fans be creating a back pressure off the cover on the roof then creating back pressure on the chimney tube. We took the heat diverter twisty thing up and checked it for carbon and dirt. It was clean and the chimney pipe was clear, though we ran something up and down in it to be sure. Fan does run all the time so assuming the thermal switch (on at 130f off at 110 I believe) failed in the on position ( does that happen) got a new one and will be pulling the frig to change it out soon.
Thanks for the detail diagnosis! Did you make a video yet on how to take apart and clean the regulator?
By chance is this a Thor Class C. I will be checking mine tomorrow. Thanks for the information.
Good video... appreciate the process.
Mine was doing the same and I found lots of black debris like fine sand in the burner and office area, cleaned it out and works good.
Thanks just bought a new norcold works great on electric get a FL fault on gas after a while would it send that fault if un level ?
Im thinking the rough Flare has swarf ingress into the valve ? Great vid .. ( I wrote this before i saw the end of the vid ,,,, bugga !)
BJT N.S.W Australia 32 class "C"
Yes, when I watch the video after I got home, I saw the pipe that I had cut and inside it had debris from where they had tightening too tightly I suppose. That must have been what was in the gas valve. By blowing all that out refrigerator worked flawless. I was tempted to add to my video but figured I could just pack up and go home. It was 10 at night when I finished up that job. Everybody wanted to go to bed.
Great knowledge you share. I have a brand new trailer and my Norcold refrig has a intermittent sputtering of the flame, just like the video. I have followed your steps but instead of testing the LP I went ahead and replaced the regulator. Still sputtering, help!!
try using compressed air nozzle at the burners instantly worked for me, dust and insects
Great Video and you do a fantastic job of explaining the process. Thank you!!
We had our camper off the truck. While loading it we unplugged the AC. So the refrigerator changed over to gas. Moments later the propane alarm went off. We opened the door and could smell it. We shut off the propane and continued loading and re-established AC power. Ready to leave, removed the AC power opened the propane and didn't observe a flame or LP to the refrigerator before leaving. Stopping for diesel the propane alarm started up again. My wife opened to door, smelled propane and observed to refrigerator was running on DC. I had my wife switch it back to LP and I unplugged the refrigerator and plugged it back in and observed the flame in the port hole. We arrived ( Cape Disappointment by the way) and it had switched back to DC and then made our AC connection. All LP devices operated normally and the refrigerator worked on AC, until we left. Disconnected AC power. And the propane detector started sounding again. So we just shut it all down, shut off the gas and headed home to Auburn. The LP alarm never sound again when we used the hot water heater, heater and oven with the refrigerator on AC. Any thoughts or suggestions. It seems to us that we have the alarm sounding when there is a demand call for propane to the refrigerator.
Thank you so much I enjoy your videos they have helped me in the past and I'm sure they'll help me in the future keep up the good work
👍
Going after surface scuffs in the flair fitting seems misplaced. Looking at gas pressure would be at the bottom of my list. I would look at the following most probable cause of intermittent gas shutdown: First check to see if you have a clean consistent blue flame. If flame is weak or inconsistent check for debris in gas orifice and rust debris in burner tube. Check if there is rust debris on top of the burner? Always Blow out the burner tube as needed maintenance. Is the burner corroded and disintegrated? Check distance from electrode to burner. If more than 3/16" the control won't get enough current across the gap and it will do a safety shutdown. Remove electrode and bend it slightly to get proper gap (1/8" - 3/16").
We can also add to this to verify that the propane cylinder has been purged correctly and that there is no air in the tank. Incorrectly purged propane cylinders will cause strange anomalies like this as well and render troubleshooting next to impossible. That's why I always carry a known good propane source for troubleshooting these systems if I suspect bad propane in the tank.
My fridge appears to work very similar to this one. The difference is after running for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days it will blink showing a gas fault. When I turn it off and back on it lights right up but the ignition keeps going as if it didn't light. It continues to to spark until it stops trying and turns the gas off even though it was lit.
I'm having the same issue. Did you find a fix for yours?
Thanks for the video. And all of your work!
Hey man! I just bought a brand new rig! And refer doesn’t get cold on propane! does with generator and shore power. there’s a powerful flame. It’s a Norcold. Flame doesn’t go out. Sparks up perfect. Wondering what’s my next thing to check.
Just subscribed and already learned a lot. The bit about the current going through the flame blew my mind as I was trying to figure out how an electrode used to start the flame could also be used to detect a flame. That is darned cool. How does one determine the proper distance of the electrode to the burner to get that current I wonder and can I measure that current by just clamping the red electrode wire? (my unit starts the flame but clicks with the flame on which I think means it isn't detecting the flame - and then the flame goes outgoes out)
How about trash/metal from the flare connection getting in the orifice, plugging it up?
Yes, I think that was a major contributing factor to this issue. In the very end after I had buttoned-up I blew everything out with the can of air and that really made a huge difference.
Great video on trouble shooting in general. However you stated that the fridge goes out when travelling but works as long as the trailer is not moved. How does travelling down the highway factor into this problem?
Our Norcold refrigerator cool great on electric freezer and lower part. When put on gas the freezer works great the lower is not cold. Have you had this problem before? What could be wrong?
I can't believe you did it like that!
Just kidding..
Thank you for the honesty of following the process and coming to a solid conclusion... and then off camera (real life) the gremlin bites again, and you thankfully include All of us in the Real solution.
Keep the good work.
Awesome find...
Does that view cover to see the burner and igniter stay open all the time or ok to close?
Excellent instruction. Thanks! 😀
Great video, thanks Darren. You have/are helping me be a better mobile tech. 👍👍
That's great to hear, keep watching. Summers real busy with customers. So once it starts to slow down I'll pick up on my video production. Have lots of exciting things to show and tell.
If you watch your flame very carefully and you see it lift off the burner and kind of float upward (kind of blue haze ) it is usually a restriction high up in the flue This takes a few minutes of running to start happening. This reduces the available oxygen around the upper part of the flame. It helps when you diagnose this if you cover the inspection hole with a piece of clear mica. If the insp. hole is open for viewing you are allowing more air in and you'll never recreate the problem and the flame will behave. Trust me here I've seen this more times than I can count on mobile home furnaces,
( different animal/ same problem) It is called flame smothering..
Darren, when I bought my RV I was told that RV fires while traveling down road with RV's was most commonly related to the refrigerator pilot going out due to wind and then causing a fire. As a result he said it was best to not travel with the refrigerator running on LP? Is that what you have heard or believe? Thanks.
Will Stone there is no pilot light on current refrigerators, they are DSI, direct spark ignition. Whoever told you that was Dumb.
There's no problem running the refrigerator while you're driving. The manual states this as the only time you can run when it's not level. So whoever told you that has very dated information and would not be correct with today's refrigerators.
So my symptoms are, pop and won’t always start when cold, but will when I run it on electric for a couple minutes. I am at 6k ft. Norcold said won’t operate above 6k feet. Anything I can do to decrease the propane flow a little bit to compensate for the altitude?
If you decrease the pressure in your LP lines, you are reducing the BTU output. Your LP pressure should be 11" of water column. On my LP playlist I have three tests to perform to check your LP pressure. Watch that video for more information. At your elevation it will be difficult to maintain the proper BTU, you don't need less gas you need more air (which gets thinner as you increase altitude) If it's possible running the refrigerator on electric, it does not consume that much and a small solar array maybe everything you need. We lived in Estes Park, Colorado for a few years, you may call a RV service in their area, they're at 7,500 feet. They may know more tricks.
First off, thank you for your wonderful videos. I’ve sent so many of my Born Free FB folks to your site. I’ve developed two problems both propane related one on the water heater and the other on the fridge, Atwood and Norcold. Water heater runs on propane for about 10 minutes, the goes into lockout and wont restart. Now the fridge POPS! When attempting to start on propane. I can light it manually, but eventually goes to NO FLM. CLASS C. Regulator?
It might be good to start with an LP pressure test. On our playlist section you will find one for LP systems. Depending on the state you are having the work done in you may require a license technician to perform these tests.
ruclips.net/p/PLk44vSl27TRCiovamnQuBTHw89yE1u0WP
@@MyRVWorks ok update. Had the tech check pressure all ok. Had him do all three tests. Thanked him for his $109 test and ordered a new orifice/burner for the fridge and a Dinosaur Board for the water heater. All is good now. Thank you again!
I have an Arctic Fox 990. My frig looks exactly like the one in the video. last week my frig stopped working on propane. There was no indication on the frig itself. The light was green, set to propane and on level 2. It worked for two nights. On the 3rd night the beer was still cold. Over night the frig stopped working. Like I said, there was no indication of problem at the front of the frig. I went outside and took the cover off. I could hear the propane burning consistently and the tube above it was hot to the touch. So my problem isn't exactly like what is shown in the video. Any ideas?
Helpful…..well explained!
Liked, subscribed, notifications on and a comment. All the rules to help your RUclips channel. This video should help me out when our park opens for the season. Had trouble all last year with burner shutting off. Need to try compressed air trick. Thanks
Man i really needed to see how to make a flare 😅
I have a norcold n8x and when I pull onto a dirt road the fridge goes out and I get the red light. Then I have to turn it off and then start it again. What is wrong with it?
My refrigerator on lp the burner comes on the flame seems good but the ignition switch never stopped trying to light then it shuts of and goes in to a default code
Hey Bruce, did you find a solution? I am having the same problem
@@jonvoss1995 well I replaced my starter and it seems to have corrected it
Good day is it required electricity to start cooling or the gas is enough?
the plug in fridge bay should it b plugged in all the time or should it b unpluged sumtime is that how auto works its a norcold fridge that 4 any help
Great video
The flap when open allows for viewing of the flame, but this should be closed at all other times correct?
Correct
Hi. Question for you. On a manual refrigerator, once it as reached its desired temp. setting....( the biggest part of the flamme goes off but the pilot should stay lit) what keeps the pilot on? Mine goes off no matter the setting ? Norcold N400.3R. Thank you.
Very helpful thanks
This is the food air conditioning unit, right? ;)
YO! no kidin !
Hello my Norcold is blinking red 10 times. Can you help? Thanks
Curious; do you charge by the hour, prorate because you’re spending 75% of your time making the video, or charge by the job?
If you must know, we charge by the flat rate task time as defined in the Spader RV service manual. All of our information is on our website and customers know ahead of time what the rates will be. Making these videos is a very time-consuming and expensive process and I always get the okay from the customer before I even I think of doing a video of their property. It turns out that our RUclips channel is making thousands of dollars for us so I see value in making the videos and plan on continuing to do so.
Should you run the fridge in transit?
Erik Gallimore why would you not? Food needs to stay cold.
There is no problem running refrigerator while you're in transit. The manual states that would be the only time you can run it when it's not level. So you are good to go with running it.
My burner burns but the frig still doesn’t cool can you please help
Do you have the temperature up
why my refrigerator star for 1 minute and stop on propane gas ?
Great you do not script it
Thanks for appreciating my unscripted style. In reading some of those reviews I think they watch too many Hollywood movies where they could to do take after take after take and reset. I'm all live and unscripted. So I record all kinds of mistakes and gaffs. Thanks for watching.
What size male flare?
3/8"
Aminha vasol como faco para repo a amônia
I used Google to translate this from English to Portuguese. Hope I understood your question correctly my answer is helpful:
A unidade de resfriamento está sob pressão específica e possui uma mistura de amônia, hidrogênio, água e cromato de sódio. Se você perdeu amônia, não sei como recarregá-lo em campo.
Well geez I don’t know why you did it that way and didn’t check that first
The call made in the field always makes so much more sense on Monday morning when you're reviewing the game tapes from last night's game. I have performed thousands of service calls and still don't get it right the first time. I was thinking about quitting this gig and becoming a weather forecaster. LOL
@@MyRVWorks You touched on this in your video in a similar fashion so I naturally had to test the waters. Of course no real meaning behind it and I’ve been viewing quite a few of your videos hoping they will help me tackle my issues with my fridge!! Good job, and thanks for taking the time making these. Weather forecasters in the Southwest seem to get it right about 20% of the time, so if willing to relocate as well…🎯
i frigen hate haters this guy knows his s#*t go hate some where else
The problem is the gas line pinch or regulator. I guarantee it. I had the same problem, and you can hear the gas not rowing.
If you dont have as much copper, as in your case, there is a way to just remove the flare. Show that sometime. :)
Clean the burner tube, looked like a weak flame.
😁
you're just awesome. I really look forward to the gas regular breakdown
Excellent video. I would have done it different 😎 not
The ignitor insulator could be cracked.
You obviously know how to edit and fast forward why do you make us watch this whole schmear all of my friend
Manometer
Good grief! You did it the way you did it because you felt like it!
How do you really fell about comments?
He should have checked the gas valve first
Are you Not Sure that YOUR HOME-MADE fitting didn't make those marks? ????????????????????
👍👍🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦👍
So for it to run on propane you need to have the battery hooked up, or will everything turn off if I disconnect the battery? I got it to work unhooking the plug and following the directions. But if I kill the power trailer battery it won’t work correct?
i refuse to believe dis
If you didn’t repeat yourself 1000 times these videos would 1/4 in length and be more enjoyable and helpful 🤷🏻♂️