BajaNomad

Refrigerator Fire- Why not to use cheap hose.

philodog - 8-21-2011 at 05:22 PM

I had my propane fridge in operation in my cargo trailer while driving. I used a cheap Baja bought propane hose attached to a tank outside the trailer. When I stopped for a break outside Guerrero Negro and opened the trailer it was obvious there had been a fire although it was now out. What appears to have happened is that while driving the hose developed a leak putting propane in the air which found it`s way to the fridge flame, caught fire and went back to the leak. The flame at the leak was right under the fridges boiler which eventually got too hot and blew the relief valve which spewed all the nasty refrigerant all over the inside of the trailer. I don`t know why the fire went out but can only surmise that either the blowout extinguished the flame or because the trailer is fairly airtight that the oxygen eventually ran out. Any way I got real lucky, the fridge is toast and some plastic boxes nearby melted but at least the trailer didn`t catch on fire and leave me towing a fireball down Mex 1. Now I know why all RV fridges are hooked up using solid copper lines.

fridge fire (2).jpg - 43kB

another pic

philodog - 8-21-2011 at 05:24 PM

Must have been hot inside.

fire4 (2).jpg - 45kB

another

philodog - 8-21-2011 at 05:27 PM

more melted plastic
ps how do you post multiple pics in one post?

[Edited on 8-22-2011 by philodog]

fire2.JPG - 33kB

krafty - 8-21-2011 at 05:47 PM

you are one lucky son of a gun

woody with a view - 8-21-2011 at 06:19 PM

hey Phil,

it sucks to be you....... i own a similar refer and have had my share of "fun" while fanning the fire.... 'cept whilst on the road.

where were you, where did you first notice the fireball chasing you down the road?
:light:

[Edited on 8-22-2011 by woody with a view]

refer fire

philodog - 8-21-2011 at 07:15 PM

I never noticed the fire. It was just a routine stop outside GN and it was all over by then. I keep picturing if it did become an inferno what I would have done. I don`t keep the trailer jack attached when I drive because it drags on bumps so the only option would have been to pull the pin on the hitch and floor it hoping the hitch would slide out of the receiver. Otherwise the truck would have been toast also. As Krafty said I am one lucky son of a gun. This is why I am looking into the chest freezer conversion idea to avoid the propane altogether.

mcfez - 8-21-2011 at 09:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by philodog
more melted plastic
ps how do you post multiple pics in one post?

[Edited on 8-22-2011 by philodog]


Use photobucket.com. Piece of cake to use.
Copy the IMG code of that picture that comes up....then paste it into your post


Glad you are alive!

AmoPescar - 8-21-2011 at 11:51 PM

Wow...you dodged a bullet on that one!


That wouldn't have been fun standing along the side of Hwy. 1 watching your trailer burn to the frame!! Glad it turned out okay.


SO...do they make woven S.S. hoses for those??


Miguelamo :?: :?: :?:

Surprised...

Dave - 8-22-2011 at 12:20 PM

No one has mentioned the obvious hazards of using a propane flame on an unstable, moving platform. :rolleyes:

RnR - 8-22-2011 at 01:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
No one has mentioned the obvious hazards of using a propane flame on an unstable, moving platform. :rolleyes:


Or, using a propane refrigerator in a closed box trailer! The owner stated that the fire may have gone out due to lack of oxygen in the "fairly airtight trailer".

The temperature in the enclosed trailer with the flame lit may have gotten quite high. High enough to break down the propane supply hose. Refrigerators are ALWAYS vented to the outside of the RVs with a lower air intake and an upper vent or a defacto chimney on the roof. Provides on exhaust outlet for the flame and cooling air for the condenser coils. I'll bet this refrigerator wasn't cooling all that well.

Second everybody's elses comments about the good fortune of not having a fireball chasing you down Mex 1. Thank the lucky god that the situation turned out okay.

sanquintinsince73 - 8-22-2011 at 03:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
No one has mentioned the obvious hazards of using a propane flame on an unstable, moving platform. :rolleyes:


Or, using a propane refrigerator in a closed box trailer! The owner stated that the fire may have gone out due to lack of oxygen in the "fairly airtight trailer".

The temperature in the enclosed trailer with the flame lit may have gotten quite high. High enough to break down the propane supply hose. Refrigerators are ALWAYS vented to the outside of the RVs with a lower air intake and an upper vent or a defacto chimney on the roof. Provides on exhaust outlet for the flame and cooling air for the condenser coils. I'll bet this refrigerator wasn't cooling all that well.

Second everybody's elses comments about the good fortune of not having a fireball chasing you down Mex 1. Thank the lucky god that the situation turned out okay.

Could have had a crispy critter haulin' arse down highway 1. Thank God that you are safe, hombre.

Mexitron - 8-22-2011 at 03:45 PM

Whew! Glad you came out of that one okay.