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Topic: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!! (Read 1087 times) previous topic - next topic
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Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
My new to me 2011 31TB is having a fridge problem and my wife is not a happy camper.  It's a Dometic DM2862RBX and it doesn't cool in either electric or gas modes.  The lights on the control panel work and the interior light comes on when I open the door.

I swear it was working when I first brought it home and turned it on.  It was on a slope facing uphill at that time.  Since then I have turned it around and the front of the vehicle is somewhat downhill (not level).  I didn't think it would be enough to bother the fridge though. It's been sitting like that a couple weeks with the fridge turned off.  I turned it on a few days ago and no cooling is happening.

So, I took it out for about a 35 mile drive today and then re-parked it.  This time with the front end blocked up so that it is sitting darn near perfectly level.   Still not cooling.   :(

Any ideas?
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #1 –
Is your propane supply valve open? Are you plugged into shore power?
Can you hear the burner running when you listen at the exterior access panel?
What lights are lit on the control panel at the top of the fridge?

If you do not have a flame burning to heat the coils it will not cool.

If you have a DVM (Digital Volt Meter) check for 12v at the red/white wires that can be seen at the bottom of the exterior access panel.

Report back!   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
Is your propane supply valve open? Are you plugged into shore power?
Can you hear the burner running when you listen at the exterior access panel?
What lights are lit on the control panel at the top of the fridge?

If you do not have a flame burning to heat the coils it will not cool.

If you have a DVM (Digital Volt Meter) check for 12v at the red/white wires that can be seen at the bottom of the exterior access panel.

Report back!   ;)

The propane is on and I am on shore power.  The panel lights on the front of the fridge all light up as expected.  If i unplug shore power it automatically switches to gas when set in auto mode.  Hmmm... 12volt test.  I think I have a a voltmeter somewhere. ;D   If I has a 12v problem I wouldn't think alll the lights would work inside and out.  grrrr
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #5 –
Quote from: nccampguy  - 
The propane is on and I am on shore power.  The panel lights on the front of the fridge all light up as expected.  If i unplug shore power it automatically switches to gas when set in auto mode.
When you unplug the rig, do you hear the ignitor clicking and the flame igniting and then quietly hissing?

Is the chimney hot?    It's the silver cylinder on the right side of the refrigerator compartment.
It must be hot for the absorbtion cooling process to occur.
It does take several hours for a warm refrigerator to cool off. We usually turn it on a day or more before we leave.

Inside the control board box, there is a fuse.
If the refrigerator's eyebrow lights up, it is getting 12-volt power.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
When you unplug the rig, do you hear the ignitor clicking and the flame igniting and then quietly hissing?

Is the chimney hot?    It's the silver cylinder on the right side of the refrigerator compartment.
It must be hot for the absorbtion cooling process to occur.
It does take several hours for a warm refrigerator to cool off. We usually turn it on a day or more before we leave.

Inside the control board box, there is a fuse.
If the refrigerator's eyebrow lights up, it is getting 12-volt power.

Larry

When I switch it to gas, I hear a clicking sound then I can hear the gas flowing or hissing as you say.  I'll go touch the silver cylinder.  I'm wondering if I should kepp in on AC or force it to gas?

I checked the roof vent to make sure it wasn't blocked with a nest and the screen was warm so there is hot air exiting the roof.
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
When you unplug the rig, do you hear the ignitor clicking and the flame igniting and then quietly hissing?

Is the chimney hot?    It's the silver cylinder on the right side of the refrigerator compartment.
It must be hot for the absorbtion cooling process to occur.
It does take several hours for a warm refrigerator to cool off. We usually turn it on a day or more before we leave.

Inside the control board box, there is a fuse.
If the refrigerator's eyebrow lights up, it is getting 12-volt power.

Larry

Yes, the silver cylinder is very hot!
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #8 –
As Larry mentioned it takes a while for the refrigerator to cool down.  It will cool faster on electric. 

I always put some blue ice or just bags of ice and bottles of cold drinks (soda bottles of water) in the refrigerator.  Before I got the blue ice things, I froze water in plastic containers. An empty fridge will take longer to cool, and warm up every time the door is opened.  Once cool and loaded I put the ice containers in the RV's freezer to use in an emergency.  If the fridge is not fully packed I will keep a small to mid size ice container in the fridge to act as a heat sink. 

It helps to have a remote indoor/outdoor thermometer to keep an eye on the temp.  I keep the sensor in the fridge and the reader in the house or just at the door so I can see what is happening. I picked one up at the local hardware store.
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #9 –

nccampguy

Once you get that fridge cooled down you might want to consider something like this:

Amazon.com: AcuRite 00986A2 Refrigerator/Freezer Wireless Digital Thermometer...

And a statement you made has me wondering! You said that once you got your new rig home you then 'shut the fridge off'. My question is why, when you were close to the departure of your first trip? Dometics literature says that their refrigerators are designed for continuous use.

I just recently had the Mothership replace my original '04 Dometic DM2862. I had that fridge turned on and in use for roughly 90% of those 13 years. They are a very durable appliance.   ;)

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
nccampguy

And a statement you made has me wondering! You said that once you got your new rig home you then 'shut the fridge off'. My question is why, when you were close to the departure of your first trip? Dometics literature says that their refrigerators are designed for continuous use.

I just recently had the Mothership replace my original '04 Dometic DM2862. I had that fridge turned on and in use for roughly 90% of those 13 years. They are a very durable appliance.   ;)

I didn't turn the fridge on or de-winterize the rig on the trip home.  Once home I turned it on just to make sure it worked.  Once I knew it was working I shut if off because I wouldn't be using it for a month or so. 

The darn thing isnt cooling down.   >:(
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #11 –
Quote from: nccampguy  - 
The darn thing isnt cooling down.  >:(
If the chimney is hot, too hot to touch, and the interior hasn't cooled down after 6-8 hours, you may be looking at a failed cooling unit.
Have you noticed the smell of ammonia or see a yellowish liquid under the propane burner?
The refrigerator is a sealed system, there are no external controls other than applying heat.
Once hot enough, the chemical process begins. The  first thing to noticeably cool are the cooling fins, inside the refrigerator.

If the system is still sealed, and not working, there may be a blockage, usually caused by the accumulation of the hours of being operated off-level.
I know of no easy fix.
I was able to solve a similar problem in our 1983 LD by removing the refrigerator, rolling it over a few times and then leaving it upside down for an hour.
It was a trick I had learned decades ago from a guy who serviced Servile gas refrigerators.
The refrigerator restarted and continued to run for eight years, dying two months before our new 2003 was scheduled for delivery.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
If the chimney is hot, too hot to touch, and the interior hasn't cooled down after 6-8 hours, you may be looking at a failed cooling unit.
Have you noticed the smell of ammonia or see a yellowish liquid under the propane burner?
The refrigerator is a sealed system, there are no external controls other than applying heat.
Once hot enough, the chemical process begins. The  first thing to noticeably cool are the cooling fins, inside the refrigerator.

If the system is still sealed, and not working, there may be a blockage, usually caused by the accumulation of the hours of being operated off-level.
I know of no easy fix.
I was able to solve a similar problem in our 1983 LD by removing the refrigerator, rolling it over a few times and then leaving it upside down for an hour.
It was a trick I had learned decades ago from a guy who serviced Servile gas refrigerators.
The refrigerator restarted and continued to run for eight years, dying two months before our new 2003 was scheduled for delivery.

Larry
Larry,

I think you have it figured out. All of my research points to the blockage or cooling unit also.  I do not see the yellowish liquid or smell anything.  Not sure how the cooling unit could go bad.  Now I guess I'm not completely sure the thing ever did work since I brought it home.  The ammonia could have leaked out earlier I guess before I brought it home.   :'(

My local camping world said they can't get me in to check it but they might be able to get me in if I want a new one.  :o
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #13 –
Just a suggestion, but I would search diligently for an alternative to having any service done at Camping World. If the "NC" in your name refers to "North Carolina", this page might be a start:

http://rvservicereviews.com/StateList.asp?state=NC

You might also try your local Yelp listings and general searches for "RV service" in your surrounding area. There also may be forum members who might offer suggestions for shops (if you post your location).

As always, YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #14 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
Just a suggestion, but I would search diligently for an alternative to having any service done at Camping World. If the "NC" in your name refers to "North Carolina", this page might be a start:

http://rvservicereviews.com/StateList.asp?state=NC

You might also try your local Yelp listings and general searches for "RV service" in your surrounding area. There also may be forum members who might offer suggestions for shops (if you post your location).

As always, YMMV.
I'm actually in Illinois these days.  I found a camping world in Iowa that had a new fridge in stock and worked me in.  They are just finishing up.  This store was recently purchased from a private dealer with a good reputation.   They had to swap the units by opening the window over the sofa.  I hope this works out!
2011 31' TB
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #15 –
"found a camping world in Iowa"

Not a huge CW fan, but:

Camping World offers something no other RV repair place offers.

They are the only nationwide RV repair company and provide, on top of the product manufactures warranty, a one year parts and labor warranty at any of their locations. If your refrigerator fails in CA, or FL, or wherever, go to the nearest CW and they will repair it under warranty for the first year; parts and labor.


Ed

Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #16 –
Cedar Rapids I believe? There is one here in the Omaha metro area that is technically across the river in Council Bluffs Iowa.
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #18 –
Is it nice and cold 
2009 Kodiak 32 foot Island Bed
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #20 –
If you dont mind sharing what does a new frig cost installed .
2009 Kodiak 32 foot Island Bed
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #21 –
Quote from: nccampguy  - 
oh yes!  and i'm no longer in hot water with the wife!  ;D

Success!   A happy wife is always a good thing.
Now keep the refrigerator level, when it's on.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #22 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
Success!  A happy wife is always a good thing.
Now keep the refrigerator level, when it's on.

Larry

Happy wives are always the best. Might I add to this success story by saying... Keep an eye on your coach window. No doubt they sealed it well. ☔️

Just sayin'

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
Happy wives are always the best. Might I add to this success story by saying... Keep an eye on your coach window. No doubt they sealed it well. ☔️
Just sayin'
Once a refrigerator is removed, it will fit through one of the larger windows, without removing anything.
Usually a heavy blanket is placed over the window's track, to protect it.
It's not a difficult job for two people, newer refrigerators are made mostly of plastic and foam and are not as heavy as they look.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Refridgerator Crisis 2 days befor maiden voyage. HELP!!
Reply #24 –
Larry,

That's a relief. It was my understanding that the frame and all was removed during fridge replacement. Another good reason to get a LD with its large windows.

Thanks for the clarification.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"