Refrigerator not Cooling ???

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Refrigerator not Cooling ???

June 19, 2011, 05:57:47 pm

I'm not sure I have a problem because it is so stinking hot here, 103 F by our outside thermometer, but our refrigerator is not staying cool. It is now up to 68 degrees. The freezer is at 20 degrees. I have a fan blowing up through the coils on the outside cooling unit and an interior fan similar to two computer fans on the inside blowing at the fins. If anyone is in similar outside temperatures, what is your refrigerator temp. I really don't know if we have a problem. If have tried it on gas and electric with little variation.

I think the frig is worth putting a new cooling unit on since the interior is in very good condition. It is the original 1993 frig but still looks new. If someone has a link to the company that sells the replacement cooling units it would sure be appreciated.

All opinions are welcome.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #1 – June 19, 2011, 06:07:01 pm

From your description the fridge is dying. Open the access door on the outside and inspect the cooling unit. If you see any yellow stains or yellow power on any of the welds, bad news. I am going thru the fridge replacement routine now. Unless you do the entire cooling unit change yourself it could cost as much or more than a new unit. The lower cooling portion will clog or nearly clog while the freezer works fine.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #2 – June 19, 2011, 06:23:15 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 19, 2011, 05:57:47 pm

I'm not sure I have a problem because it is so stinking hot here, 103 F by our outside thermometer, but our refrigerator is not staying cool. It is now up to 68 degrees. The freezer is at 20 degrees.

If anyone is in similar outside temperatures, what is your refrigerator temp.

It's 100 F here according to our outside thermometer. Our fridge has been cooling since 1 PM yesterday and is currently 36 degrees inside on the coldest setting. I didn't probe the freezer.

How long have you been trying to cool the fridge?

-M

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #3 – June 19, 2011, 06:24:29 pm

Quote from: Jerry & Coleen – June 19, 2011, 06:07:01 pm

From your description the fridge is dying. Open the access door on the outside and inspect the cooling unit. If you see any yellow stains or yellow power on any of the welds, bad news. I am going thru the fridge replacement routine now. Unless you do the entire cooling unit change yourself it could cost as much or more than a new unit. The lower cooling portion will clog or nearly clog while the freezer works fine.

The coils and everything on the outside look brand new, no rust or discoloration anywhere. I am amazed at the condition of the entire unit. We thought the frig had been replaced but the serial number is lower than Jeff & Carol's 1995 U320.

I do plan to do the replacement myself or if I can't I will buy a whole new unit. The biggest reason to replace the cooling unit is most often to install a new frig one would have to remove a window just to get the old one out and the new one in.

I have considered a residential frig but we have not yet established our full time lifestyle and I don't yet know if a residential will work for us.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #4 – June 19, 2011, 06:27:14 pm

Quote from: Steve & Michelle – June 19, 2011, 06:23:15 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 19, 2011, 05:57:47 pm
I'm not sure I have a problem because it is so stinking hot here, 103 F by our outside thermometer, but our refrigerator is not staying cool. It is now up to 68 degrees. The freezer is at 20 degrees.

If anyone is in similar outside temperatures, what is your refrigerator temp.

It's 100 F here according to our outside thermometer. Our fridge has been cooling since 1 PM yesterday and is currently 36 degrees inside on the coldest setting. I didn't probe the freezer.

How long have you been trying to cool the fridge?

-M

Our frig has been on since last October. We just started noticing problems when all of this heat started about two weeks ago. However, from what you are saying I'd say we have a problem.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #5 – June 19, 2011, 06:30:18 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 19, 2011, 06:24:29 pm

The coils and everything on the outside look brand new, no rust or discoloration anywhere. I am amazed at the condition of the entire unit.

Kent,

Is the temperature probe still attached to the fins inside the fridge? It should be clipped on and you can slide it up (to go colder on a setting) or down (to go warmer). Ours has a habit of shimmying down to the bottom of the fin.

Of course I'm not sure that would be relevant here since your freezer is also acting up

-Michelle

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #6 – June 19, 2011, 06:32:22 pm

Kent, are you oerating on LP Gas or Electric ? Our 01 coach refrig, had a problem on LP Gas, had a trouble light on panel, found the need to get rid of the stalagmite or stalagtite on fhs burner, just knock it off and end of issue. Not sure your issue is the same, but maybe.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #7 – June 19, 2011, 06:59:13 pm

Kent the Dometic 3962 RB will go thru the door with the fridge doors removed. $1389.00 @ Camping World on sale. Two year warranty. Camping World will do the install for $250. Presidents club member gets a coupon for free shipping and 25% off the install. Norcold will run $2000.00. Replacement cooling unit -$750-$1200 with no guarantee. Still an ouch, ouch.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #8 – June 19, 2011, 07:04:12 pm

Sounds like it is just too hot for it to cool efficiently. There could be some issues with a burner stack not being clean. If your ac voltage is low the heating element puts out less heat resulting in less cooling. Switching to gas should help with the voltage drop and help out the air conditioners if you have low AC voltage. Too much stuff in the refrig cuts down the cooling. Barry's website has lots of stuff about the refrig, more than just this. Refrigerator Not Maintaining Temperature

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #9 – June 19, 2011, 07:06:22 pm

Kent,

What refrigerator do you have now?

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #10 – June 19, 2011, 07:41:35 pm

For comparison, our refrigerator is empty and operating with 120VAC. It is a Dometic with freezer on top and "regular" cold storage on the bottom. The coach is in the shade. The refrigerator has no auxiliary fans. Current conditions:

Coach interior is 89F (air conditioner thermostat at 86F)
Coach bay is 95F
Weather station nearby is 96F (down from high of 104F)
Freezer -7F to 9F (back to front)
Refrigerator 36F to 39F (fins are around 26F)

Interior temperatures were taken with an infrared spot thermometer.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #11 – June 19, 2011, 07:57:47 pm

Quote from: Steve & Michelle – June 19, 2011, 06:30:18 pm

Kent,

Is the temperature probe still attached to the fins inside the fridge? It should be clipped on and you can slide it up (to go colder on a setting) or down (to go warmer). Ours has a habit of shimmying down to the bottom of the fin.

Of course I'm not sure that would be relevant here since your freezer is also acting up

-Michelle

The probe is in the clip on the right hand most fin. I have moved it up and down and pulled it off of the fin and can see not difference in the temperature. It works overnight but then warms up during the day.

Quote from: Dave M – June 19, 2011, 06:32:22 pm

Kent, are you oerating on LP Gas or Electric ? Our 01 coach refrig, had a problem on LP Gas, had a trouble light on panel, found the need to get rid of the stalagmite or stalagtite on fhs burner, just knock it off and end of issue. Not sure your issue is the same, but maybe.

Dave, as I mentioned I have tried it on both LP and electric, no difference.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #12 – June 19, 2011, 08:22:22 pm

It does max cooling with the temp probe ( clip) all the way up. Absorption units are poor at best in hot weather. But yours should do better than 68 in 100 degree air. Any adjustment you do takes a while to have any effect.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #13 – June 19, 2011, 08:33:33 pm

My frig is a Dometic, RM 7030 side by side. My voltage is running 114V on one leg and 120v on the other leg. I have checked the stack and the area behind the outside frig door. The coils are like new looking. There is no blockage of air flow through the top vent. I have even put a fan to help with circulation in the stack area. I have also installed an interior fan on the fins. So far, it cools down to 36 F at night and up to 68 during the days. These temps are taken at the bottom of the frig near the front.

I have removed the thermister clip and put it toward the front of the frig and it still doesn't cool. I am now convinced that I have either an inoperable thermister, circuit board or a clogged cooling unit. I'm going to try a jumper on the thermister pins first and then a circuit board if they are not too expensive. I am prepared to install an entire cooling unit if necessary.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #14 – June 19, 2011, 08:58:54 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 19, 2011, 08:33:33 pm

My frig is a Dometic, RM 7030 side by side. My voltage is running 114V on one leg and 120v on the other leg. So far, it cools down to 36 F at night and up to 68 during the days. These temps are taken at the bottom of the frig near the front.

Kent what is your voltage at night when the temperature comes down to 36 degrees? 114 vac is very low.
I will bet at night when everyone's a/c is off your voltage comes up & your refer cools down.

Is your refer vent in the back in the sun or shade? That can make a huge difference of heat to overcome.
If it is working properly at night when the outside temperature comes down, it sounds like the voltage is not adequate enough. It will take many hours to see any difference in the cooling no matter what you are doing to diagnose it.

Quote

I have removed the thermister clip and put it toward the front of the frig and it still doesn't cool. I am now convinced that I have either an inoperable thermister, circuit board or a clogged cooling unit. I'm going to try a jumper on the thermister pins first and then a circuit board if they are not too expensive. I am prepared to install an entire cooling unit if necessary.

If it cools at night, would that mean these items are working ??

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #15 – June 19, 2011, 09:14:26 pm

With those ambient temps it's really tasking the Dometic. Hold on Batman. As Barry says. Any adjustment takes hours to see any results. Get some dry ice and wait.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #16 – June 19, 2011, 09:19:04 pm

Switching over to gas to get away from the electric voltage issue, might be an interesting discovery. When I am not at home I run on gas most of the time, and I feel it does atleast as well, if not better than the AC mode. My tester is the ice cream stiffness, real high teck, maybe a lil red neck, but it works

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #17 – June 19, 2011, 09:47:22 pm

Kent

In case you have to repair or replace the RM 7030.

I had to replace our RM 7030 Sept. 2009. Had the yellow stuff leak out in the burner pipe close to the flame area lucky for me it was on electric and nothing was burned. Tried to replace the cooling unit twice but it had shipping damage both times. I gave up on replacing it after looking at cracks in the inside door plastic liner. I then ordered a new NDR 1292 with fans It's way nicer and has more room in side. The wife loves it.

The problem with the NDR 1292 it's 2 inches taller. I had to cut 1 inch from the top of the opening and 1 inch from the
bottom. The existing bottom was starting to break down and needed some work anyway. It turned out I could have cut 1/2 inch at the bottom and 1 1/2 inch at the top.(did the work before the NDR 1292 arrived) I did not need to modify the doors below the refrigerator opening

As luck would have it the existing wood door panels worked in the new doors ( they are shorter but are 1/4" longer then the
opening ) They worked and look great. They are glued to the existing rm 7030 doors but I was able to remove them with a long bladed knife not easy but dueable.

You need to remove the refg.doors to get it through the MH Door Also the wood strips in the step area.

The new refg. is working great and well worth the expence.

Hope the NDR 1292 is still are avilable

Good luck either way

Bob
94 U300se

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #18 – June 19, 2011, 10:00:59 pm

I have not seen anyone responding about your refer being level, so, here is a thought.

About two years ago, our refer, a Dometic, started to do what your is doing. It seems that they are very sensitive to being level. Ours started to get warmer and warmer and we went through the same drill of figuring how to get it out, which one to replace it and how to get the new one in.
Because of how the system works (which someone with more refer knowledge could explain in minute detail here) the refer system needs to be level to work.
Bottom line is that we leveled the coach, burped the refer by rocking it (which didn't work, initially), used the ice maker to keep it cool while we tried to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it, drove around looking for a camping world to replace the refer and tried to decide which windshield was going to come out to get the new refer in.
Driving around on bumpy roads (compliments of Babette our bitch, excuse me, GPS) we must have burped the gasses and liquids to where they are supposed to be, everything is fine now and we are all happy campers with cold beer, cocktails, ice cream and a GPS that still complains when we don't listen to her.

Hope that yours is also only indigestion.

Happy Fathers day to all you guys, and to your women who let you enjoy one!!

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #19 – June 19, 2011, 10:20:01 pm

Bob, that is valuable information. My frig looks brand new inside and out. Seals are perfect, no cracks in plastic and latches are perfect so I think I will buy any components I need a restore this one if at all possible. I'm betting that I damaged the thermister by using a 12V trouble light probe that shorted out the thermister or the circuit board. I will know more tomorrow. If its the circuit board it sound like Dinosaur Electronics is the best source for a replacement.

Mike, we are dead level and have been for two months but that certainly can cause the kind of problems we are having. Thanks for the input.

Boy, what great information one can get from Foreforum Members and really fast as well.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #20 – June 19, 2011, 10:46:17 pm

Kent,

Is the outside wall behind the fridge exposed to direct sunlight? If so, could you remove the access door, mount anything that would hold a large sunshade creation in place? You might have to create such a device, but probably be able to market it to all the other summer inhabitants of the nether regions in hot weather.

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #21 – June 19, 2011, 10:58:12 pm

There are some old threads that explain how to feel the temps on the coils in the back to see if the ammonia is cascading down the tubes to the bottom. Search on dometic in the old forums (when I had my problem) and see if it warm and where.
I've partied too much to help you tonight!!!

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #22 – June 19, 2011, 11:48:34 pm

Kent

Here is a link to a new replacement cooling unit RM 7030

RM7030 Dometic Brand-New Cooling Unit, built by the Amish - RV Cooling Unit

Hope it works
Bob

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #23 – June 20, 2011, 12:07:20 am

Measure voltage on 12 volt gas valve and 120 volt heating element to be sure they are activated. We put small LED & neon lamps inside the kitchen to know if they were turned on. You can always connect an electric cord directly to the 120 volt heating element and plug it into an outlet to bypass everything.

The indicator lights, with our Chaney wireless remote refrigerator/freezer thermometer keep us informed what is going on during hot weather.

Our new Lowe's Whirlpool 120-volt $350 self-defrosting fridge is working great in 102 day temp and 90-80 degree nights. Our ice trays freeze in 5-hours so we make ice twice a day instead of every other day. We are very happy we made the switch. Our Walmart frozen food shopping today did not drive the inside temps up very much. And ice-cream is hard, which can be a disadvantage for us.

Fridge electric usage is exactly the same as our two Directv DVRs which is 0.4 amps (120-volt) average per hour for the last 20 days. About the equivalent of 34 amp-hours of battery drain for 8-hours of night time. Another Foretraveler just installed the same fridge in his coach. We have not tried to dry-camp since having the Whirlpool. 53 watts is no problem for inverters.

Barry & Cindy

Re: Refrigerator not Cooling ???

Reply #24 – June 20, 2011, 08:27:07 am

Kent, Last resort test.
1. Turn everything off, find coil on gas valve and pull off connector, Jumper 12 Volts to gas valve coil to open it, manually lite flame with a match and observe closely for a couple hours. This will be giving you full flame under boiler and if unit cools then you have a control problem and a Dinosaur Board is in order.

2. As someone else suggested make a pigtail and attach 110 to heaters. Again if it cools its a board problem.

Good luck, If you need more FREE advice call me at 770-595-3891, I am sitting home with a new hip implant but my brain still seems to be working.,
Gary B

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