Condolences to my Brother (aka The Dutchman)

[Jim Stoltz]

My brother, a member here but not a frequent poster, lost his RV today. We were supposed to head out to Hershey this afternoon. He had the fridge on electric, and in preparation for leaving switched it over to propane. He waited for the green light indicating it was lit and went in the house. 15 minutes later the trailer exploded. Thank God no one was hurt and the house, while damaged, didn't light up.

I'm still going, but I have to say I'm really shaken up. You may recall that he and I (to a lesser extent) spent a lot of time restoring that thing. He has a month-and-a-half old baby. I can't even think about what could have happened if they were in it or on the road. 

The FD said it had to be a propane leak because of the damage (it was torn apart) rather than an ammonia fire.

[Jim Stoltz]

Better safe than sorry. I'm glad people can learn from my brother's experience.

[So ska noname]

Called trailer place to make appointment get propane lines, and fridge checked out re ammonia. Showed him pictures of your brothers trailer fire. He glad no one hurt, said the valves and where connections are major reasons for fires. Also pinhole cracks in bent lines. The way he explained it those valves may go all of a sudden, like the thermostat on a car radiator. I know you all maintained your propane. He's going show me how and where to check on road using dish soap and water. One line may need replaced when I look at it: bent sharp angles. I don't want be paranoid but want be safe lol.

[Rich Thomas]

Very nice ending to a could of been tragic loss, 

[So ska noname]

That's nice of them to help him.

[Jim Stoltz]

Well it looks like my brother is back in business. Here's a long story:

When we were little, my parents used to belong to a local camping club. We would travel in a convoy together all over the East coast. One family still has the camper that they used back then (early 80s) and has donated it to my brother. The guy is very meticulous and I'm sure has maintained it all this time (I haven't seen it recently - I only have memories of it from 30 years ago). It's a Shasta rear bunk house that he used to tow with a Ford station wagon. So, I'm thinking my brother can tow it with his Roadmaster (aka Black Betty). We'll be checking all the propane lines :)

[Jim Stoltz]

My brother is making great progress in salvaging the trailer. He's thinking about building a cargo trailer with barn doors or a ramp on the back. 

[So ska noname]

I will read your link tomorrow. Thanks for posting it. I don't mind do it yourself projects-- electrical (I went to school for residential wiring) plumbing, wood work, etc. gas and propane is where I draw the line. I am doubly grateful this new to me trailer has two doors.

[Jim Stoltz]

The link to the article I posted has a great explanation of how they work. And also describes how to check for problems. Basically you don't want the hydrogen or ammonia leaking out. While ammonia by itself isn't particularly flammable, the vapor combined with the right amount of oxygen in a chimney (which is what your fridge box is), it can become explosive with the presence of the gas flame.

The infamous Norcold recall did not have anything to do with ammonia leaks, though. It was a faulty propane safety valve that leaked propane into the fridge compartment while the reignitor continued to light. We think that's what happened with my brother's trailer.

[So ska noname]

I need learn more how ammonia and propane work on trailer fridges and how to detect problems. From what you have posted you took all the precautions you could. I thought maybe the insulation somehow heated up.

The propane heats up the ammonia, sometimes too much, thus the malfunction. I am going read my little rv book understand your rv appliances again, search net.

[Jim Stoltz]

Yes - the big pipe that runs up the back on the right side (usually). The burner is on the bottom of it and it's usually insulated with fiberglass and a thin metal box. 

In this case it burst at the top because of the fire. It wasn't the cause of the fire. The ammonia solution is under pressure in there. The fire (presumably started by a propane malfunction) heated it up to the point where it exploded. His fridge may have been part of the Norcold recall (which was for a faulty propane safety valve) or a corroded aluminum fuel line. I'd have sworn it was a Dometic but a guy in another forum recognized the cooling unit as being a Norcold.