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Topic: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling (Read 1338 times) previous topic - next topic

Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

This is just a data point the ongoing residential refrigerator conversion discussion. A Samsung french-door refrigerator was installed in our coach by the PO. We've have enjoyed it for the past two and a half years and has been trouble-free. This weekend,  while on an extended weekend trip, the refrigerator's cooling cycle gradually became noisier and longer.  Finally, in the middle of the night, it began running continuously and the refrigerator interior temperature began to rise. At that point, I shut down power to the unit to avoid any further trouble.  I'm guessing a compressor failure occurred but won't know until tomorrow (Monday) after I've talked to a Samsung repairman.

In the meantime, I think I have figured out how to undo the restraints that keep the refrigerator in place. What I have not yet figured out is how to get the freezer drawer out without breaking something.

FYI  The refrigerator, built in 2014, was installed, I believe, by FT during 2014-2015.  We have never run it on an inverter.  From looking at online reviews, this is not an isolated occurrence for this model. I wish it wasn't so.

Bob & Nadine Hall
98 U320
07 Honda CR-V

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #1 –
Bob,
I used to sell Samsung appliances, and will make a couple of general comments:
The warranty is kaput.  One year general to original owner, compressor for five I believe.  Samsung will argue for original reciept, may check registration card and will argue about where it is installed.
Obtaining parts, in my experience, takes a minimum of two weeks.  Samsung was never known for moving fast in my store.

  I wish you good luck.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #2 –
Freezer still working? Ice sticking out/filling the vents on the interior back panel of the refer compartment?

Could be a failed thermal switch/fuse on the defroster. If it fails, ice accumulates, eventually starts to block the fan, then stops the fan. No more cooling. Ice versus fan can be noisy.

If this is the problem, make sure the tech (or you) verify there is only one thermal switch/fuse. If two as we had you could end up with a new defrost heater/thermal switch when thermal switch #2 was the problem. Tech may not know this as there is only supposed to be one, some units ended up with two during a design change.

Defrost heater plus back panel plus service calls, over $400.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Bob Hall –
We have never run it on an inverter.
If you never run it on inverter, how is it powered going down the road?  Do you always run your generator all the time you are driving?

Our Samsung has been running perfectly (and continuously) for 3 years...knock on wood.  We never turn it off, and it is always powered by either shore cord, generator or inverter.  It seems to be very happy regardless of power source.  Here's hoping our luck holds!  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #4 –
Running it on an inverter should make no difference. The unit takes the AC voltage and converts it to D.C. Anyway.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #5 –
Update.  It is not a compressor failure. Morninghill got it right. When I powered up the refrigerator today,  it cooled down to the set temperature but  kept on running and would not shut off. If allowed to continue, eventually everything would have frozen up.  A tech is coming tomorrow evening to, I hope, put it right.

Thanks for all the responses.
Bob & Nadine Hall
98 U320
07 Honda CR-V

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #6 –
In summary, our refrigerator's cooling cycle would not shut off when the desired temperature was reached. The tech fixed the problem by replacing the two thermistors in the thermostat circuit. They are located behind the plastic panel at the back of the refrigerator compartment. No need to move the refrigerator into the aisle for access. It has now been running normally for several days. Problem solved.

Thanks again for all the responses.
Bob & Nadine Hall
98 U320
07 Honda CR-V

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #7 –
Just a question:  Are you using a sine wave inverter for the residential refrigerator?  I've seen many premature failures because of using modified sine wave inverters instead of sine wave inverters with residential refrigerators, mostly from rv manufactures, not from after market users and installers.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #8 –
No need to on a samsung as they are an international supplier so they take any AC current they receive and convert it to DC. It would have been much better if they just let us connect it up DC but modified Sine inverters will have no negative impact on a samsung residential fridge. I did not research other brands but I did before I installed my residential in my old FT.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Samsung French-door Refrigerator Quit Cooling

Reply #9 –
Quote from: John S –
No need to on a samsung as they are an international supplier so they take any AC current they receive and convert it to DC. It would have been much better if they just let us connect it up DC but modified Sine inverters will have no negative impact on a samsung residential fridge. I did not research other brands but I did before I installed my residential in my old FT.

So have you become used to saying "my old Foretravel"?
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr