What To Do About A Blown Out Burner Flame

By RV Lifestyle & Repair Editors


Question


My refrigerator burner flame has started to blow out while driving a lot. What can I do to correct this? It just started the last couple of years.

Submitted via email


Answer


First, I do not recommend you run the refrigerator on LP while traveling down the road. If you do, there is an open propane source and if you have a connection leak due to road vibration or have an accident there is a the potential of explosion and fire with an open propane line and the refrigerator and other appliances trying to light with a spark. Plus, you MUST shut the LP line off when entering a fueling station which most RVers that travel with the refrigerator running on propane do not do! We did a test on refrigerator efficiency and found that if you bring your refrigerator down to 36 degrees and shut it off, it will maintain below 40 degrees 6 hours later! You do not need to run the refrigerator while driving…check out the videos!

Ok, all that said…I know there are people who will ALWAYS travel with the propane on, so just be careful and make sure you shut the valve off before entering a fueling station! If your burner flame is blowing out while driving and has been working fine before, there are two things that you should look at. First, what is the water column pressure of your propane system? You will need a certified propane technician to check the pressure which will affect the strength of the flame. Second, clean out the burner assembly. The more soot, dust, and other obstructions will limit the amount of fuel and make for a weaker flame. One more thing, as the unit get older, you may need to adjust the burner tube just before the burner assembly which will increase or decrease the amount of air/oxygen to the burner assembly.

Hope this helps,
David Solberg


Related:
Tips For RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting
Diagnosing An Inefficient RV Refrigerator
How To Use An RV Propane Refrigerator

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26 Responses to “What To Do About A Blown Out Burner Flame”

  1. Paul Grant

    Looking for video how to replace wiring on hot water heart. Mine melted

  2. CHARLIE

    My black water tank has developed a small leak (seep) where the pipe to drain it joins the tank. How best to repair this?

  3. Drew Pearson

    The propane system for refrigerator/freezer will not start/burn automatically. The electric mode works fine. I can light the propane burner and it refrigerates fine, until it automatically shuts off, when cooling level is met. It will not relight on its own. I have replaced the ignitor, but don't hear "click,click, click" as if it is trying to light the propane. Any ideas on what to attempt next to get the system to work automatically on its own?

  4. Marlene Hough

    Is it better to cover the roof with tarp to protect from snow? Or just remove snow if it accumulates

  5. Kevin Kelly

    I can't get my hot water to work? This coach has only 5900 mi on it and is like new. We are complete newbies. I've figured out the water and pumps etc however I have a switch over my stairs that you can either use battery or propane. Is that for the hot water heater? I've been trying to get this to work on electric only and I just can't figure it out?

  6. Melinda c

    Our frig wouldn’t stay lit driving. Then tried to run it on electric. Wouldn’t stay on while parked. Dealer replaced motherboard, said it was bad. Drove home with frig on propane to test it and was off again. We figured it was blowing out from the wind, so added covers over the outside cover. And we have had it on propane parked for a couple of days now. Husband went to check it today, and it’s off again. So now back to diagnose it again.

  7. wayne hitt

    lp and el water heater wont come on

  8. Garry Garras

    Hello Have problem with paint. Understand it is the clear expanding on darker colours. Is Winnebago doing any thing about this error in their painting issue? Ranges from late 1990 to 2006 +/- what action would you suggest? Thank you Garry

  9. Garry Garras

    Hello The complete right hand slide out has lost it power to the plugs. However the fridge does work. Is there a gfci plug? I have look but no luck. Thank you Garry

  10. Edward Yacobacci

    WE HAD SAME PROBLEM OF FLAME GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TRYING YOUR SUGGESTION A SEVERAL OTHER WE REPLACED THE REGULATATOR CUNNECTED TO THE PROPANE TANK, PROBLEM SOLVED