Dry camping issues

[AZ Campers]

We just went dry camping for the 1st time & found that our refrigerator & water heater don't work on the LP gas setting. Any ideas or suggestions? We have 2 full 20 lb propane bottles so that wasn't the issue & the stove worked fine. The owners manual was no help At all for troubleshooting.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Josie
2012 197 jayco ultra lite
2011 Toyota Tacoma 4wd

[Mainenebula]

The fridge can often take several cycles to get the propane up to the ignitor. I find myself turning the fridge on and off many times to get it operating. Can you at least hear the electric ignitor clicking? Not sure what to offer on the HW.

[Jagiven]

Not sure if this will be helpful. Did you check the fuses? The frig has two automotive style fuses. One in the fuse box (15amp) inside the TT, another in the back of the frig. If you open the back cover you can see it in the electrical control panel. If I recall, that is a 1 amp spade fuse. I have spent a fair amount of time this looking for a spare fuse. Regarding the water heater, again I would check the fuse(s) and even grab a voltmeter to confirm you have power to the water heater.

Might be worth a call to the dealer.

[edatlanta]

On the water heater, do you hear it clicking, can you see the spark? Do you have propane flowing to the propane valve on the heater (you will have to take the copper line loose at this valve to verify propane is flowing - obviously turn the propane off when doing this and have it on only to verify flow). If you have the spark igniter working and you have propane flow to the valve, then the valve is bad. Mine died last winter and it has been in constant use all winter. Fortunately they are easy to change.

[tlhdoc]

Do you have battery power? Some fridge and water heater need electric to turn off and on.

[chopshop]

I usally "purge" the gas lines, prior to turning the fridge on, by lighting up the stove first. I've had the same problem as you describe and this trick seems to work every time.

[johnyQ]

I also "purge" the lines by lighting the stove first. Even then, it can still take a while (up to a minute) to get the pilot for the water heater to light, and several cycles for the fridge to start. Without purging, it takes a lot longer.

[Dwilcox353]

We have the same issue. We need to purge thru the stove then turn the Refer on and off 2-3 times to ignite. Same with the HWT however there is nowhere to purge it so you need to turn it off and on several times till it lights. Some times I can hear it light then go out from air in the line. Turn it off then back on and it is good to go.