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Dometic frig cooling

Dometic Elite side by side having difficulty maintaining temp on setting 5 with ambient temp 100+. I orient to keep frig forum direct sunlight, thermister(?sp) at highest point on fins, no obstructions with roof vent.  Also, at night with cooler temps the frig is 30-bottom and 34 top shelf. My assumption is that that the cooling unit is ok. Just wondering if this is normal for this frig and these conditions?
 
                      Thanks,
                        Josh
             
Josh
2000 U295

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #1 –
Sounds normal to me. We had a small Dometic unit in a pop-up camper that would not stay cool in high ambient temperatures. It worked fine in moderate temperatures.

The unit in our FT is NDR1062, freezer on top, fridge on bottom. It maintains about 10F freezer/40F main box in high ambient temperatures with setting on #4 of 5.

You might try adding a fan to the heat exhaust stack in order to dissipate heat faster.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #2 –
I have a little Walmart fan that I put in the outside compartment and can plug in to the outlet that is available there. It is small enough to allow the panel to close and was enough to help the cooling unit when we were sitting on the macadam in the parking lot at Nac during 100+ degree heat.  We are presently having trouble with our fridge cooling on propane.  The electric cooling is just fine ... but we will be adding the aftermarket fans on the roof to help dissipate the heat when the propane is working. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #3 –
Carol

If your fridg cools on electric but not as well on gas it sounds like a heat source problem.
Have you had the gas pressure checked at the refrigerator ?
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #4 –
Quote from: pedalman –
Dometic Elite side by side having difficulty maintaining temp on setting 5 with ambient temp 100+. I orient to keep frig forum direct sunlight, thermister(?sp) at highest point on fins, no obstructions with roof vent.  Also, at night with cooler temps the frig is 30-bottom and 34 top shelf. My assumption is that that the cooling unit is ok. Just wondering if this is normal for this frig and these conditions?
 
                      Thanks,
                        Josh
           

How old is it?  We just changed our cooling unit yesterday - I had a guy look it at - he said if you are needing to keep it at 5 to keep it cold your cooling unit is most likely on its last leg.  We went 5 more months - sometimes it would stay real cold even in 100 degree heat then it would warm up to 45 or 50 so we would put lots of ice in it to keep under 40, then it would get cold again for days or a week.  Sometime my DH would go out and give a little "percussive adjustment" to the pipes and that would jump start it again.  We did buy a small 2 door electric fridge/freezer to keep the most temp sensitive foods - now I guess I have a great beverage cooler! :)

FWIW - since replacing, my fridge is at 28 and freezer is 8 on #2 with 100 + degrees & in direct afternoon sun.  Too windy for awning most days

Christi & Ray Stoltz
1993 U280 40'

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John Duld –
Carol

If your fridg cools on electric but not as well on gas it sounds like a heat source problem.
Have you had the gas pressure checked at the refrigerator ?

Yes.  The regulator is giving the required 11 pounds(?) of propane.  With the addition of just a small fan, the propane can almost keep up ... the fans on the roof area will more than likely take care of the problem.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Christis Dream –
How old is it?  We just changed our cooling unit yesterday - I had a guy look it at - he said if you are needing to keep it at 5 to keep it cold your cooling unit is most likely on its last leg.  We went 5 more months - sometimes it would stay real cold even in 100 degree heat then it would warm up to 45 or 50 so we would put lots of ice in it to keep under 40, then it would get cold again for days or a week.  Sometime my DH would go out and give a little "percussive adjustment" to the pipes and that would jump start it again.  We did buy a small 2 door electric fridge/freezer to keep the most temp sensitive foods - now I guess I have a great beverage cooler! :)

FWIW - since replacing, my fridge is at 28 and freezer is 8 on #2 with 100 + degrees & in direct afternoon sun.  Too windy for awning most days



Ray, is this the original 1993 fridge? If you don't mind sharing, where did you purchase your new cooling unit and how much did it cost? How much was installation? Was it done by a mobile RV tech or at an RV shop?

Those temps sound fantastic!!!

The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Dometic frig cooling

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
Ray, is this the original 1993 fridge? If you don't mind sharing, where did you purchase your new cooling unit and how much did it cost? How much was installation? Was it done by a mobile RV tech or at an RV shop?

Those temps sound fantastic!!!

The fridge we replaced the cooling on was purchased in 2003.  We bought the cooling unit from rvcoolingunit.com - they have new & rebuilt both carry a warranty the new units have a longer warranty.  We opted for the rebuilt unit - it was about $500 but they will rebate $100 after they receive the old unit back - they even pay shipping on returning the old unit.  They were very prompt on the shipping as well.

We actually replaced it ourselves - it wasn't too bad of a job - especially after my youngest son showed up to help!  The longest part was realizing there were 2 screws under the bottom trim!  We then just slid it out and laid it face down in the kitchen on an old blanket and did the work right there.  The unit comes with instructions on removing & replacing.  There are also several videos on YouTube.  We are very happy with temps now even in these 100 degree days we've been having!

We were quoted about $250 for someone else to do the job - but since we have more time than money we opted for the do it yourself job!
Christi & Ray Stoltz
1993 U280 40'