Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

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Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

July 28, 2016, 02:52:52 pm

Need some thoughts on a 2 way Dometic RM1282 refrigerator problem: The refrigerator section does not cool while on LP, however, the freezer section works fine on LP plus the refrigerator cools and freezes okay while connected to the A/C.
I have cleaned the burner and I am getting a nice blue colored flame. Checked all the 12 volt wires and they have power. I changed out the control board with a new Dinosaur Micro p-711 and still the same problem, guess I didn't need the new board, it looks new/good though...

I am looking to stay with the absorption system at this time so any thoughts where to check next would be appreciated.

Tony

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #1 – July 28, 2016, 03:02:09 pm

When mine was doing this, a tech suggested it might be the "thermistor", but it turned out to be the cooling unit. You might check this, just in case you are luckier then I was.

Chris

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #2 – July 28, 2016, 03:10:31 pm

Google to the rescue (maybe...or maybe not)

Note the identity of the good-looking, well-known, highly paid Technical Advisor who posts suggestions in the first link:

Dometic Refrigerator: Freezer Works But Refrigerator Won't Cool - Systems...

RV Refrigerator Repair 101: How To Diagnose Problems With RV Refrigerators |...

http://www.nationalserroscotty.org/resources/dometic-service-manual.pdf

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #3 – July 28, 2016, 03:20:03 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 28, 2016, 03:10:31 pm

Note the identity of the good-looking, well-known, highly paid Technical Advisor who posts suggestions in the first link:

Never heard of him, but I do know there is a fresh Dometic in his ex-coach.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #4 – July 28, 2016, 03:24:55 pm

Just went thru the same issues...Replaced it with a Samsung (RF18HFENBSR) We are thrilled.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #5 – July 28, 2016, 03:25:16 pm

Thermister functions the same on 120 VAC or LP, so I would eliminate that for right now.

BTU's of propane are the same as the electric element IF two thing happen:

1. Gas pressure is correct (11 column inches of HG) CHECK IT!
2. Burner area is clean, including gas jet and burner tube.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #6 – July 28, 2016, 03:38:19 pm

Quote from: bogeygolfer – July 28, 2016, 03:02:09 pm

When mine was doing this, a tech suggested it might be the "thermistor", but it turned out to be the cooling unit. You might check this, just in case you are luckier then I was.

Thanks Chris,
While on A/C I checked the "thermistor" by moving it up, and the down and it changed the temperature alright. Since your post I google "thermistor" and just found a write up from another Dometic model on how to check if the thermistor is working by measuring OHM readings while disconnected and placed in a glass of Ice and water.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #7 – July 28, 2016, 03:41:25 pm

It could have been Tab Hunter (aka Brett Wolfe) that replaced the existing Dometic with a 3962 "New Generation" fridge in 09. Works perfect! On a previous coach, we did have the Dometic re-built, lasted a year!

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #8 – July 28, 2016, 03:44:43 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 28, 2016, 03:10:31 pm

Google to the rescue (maybe...or maybe not)

Note the identity of the good-looking, well-known, highly paid Technical Advisor who posts suggestions in the first link:

will check googled items and identity.
thank you Chuck

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 28, 2016, 03:25:16 pm

Thermister functions the same on 120 VAC or LP, so I would eliminate that for right now.

BTU's of propane are the same as the electric element IF two thing happen:

1. Gas pressure is correct (11 column inches of HG) CHECK IT!
2. Burner area is clean, including gas jet and burner tube.

will check propane pressure and reclean burner area.

Thank you Brett

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #9 – July 28, 2016, 04:18:16 pm

Quote from: mike leary – July 28, 2016, 03:41:25 pm

It could have been Tab Hunter (aka Brett Wolfe) that replaced the existing Dometic with a 3962 "New Generation" fridge in 09. Works perfect! On a previous coach, we did have the Dometic re-built, lasted a year!

Not Tab Hunter....
Hopefully I can fix this refrig myself .....

Thanks Mike

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #10 – July 28, 2016, 04:35:22 pm

Tony.

You also need to go up top and remove the vent cover and find the burner tube stack. It should have a "T" on the top. After the unit has had time to cool remove the "T" and it should expose a round wire loop. Grab loop (after it has cooled also or you will get burnt fingers) and pull it out of the burner tube. It should be about 18" long piece of wire with a spinner bait looking piece of metal on the end. (Here is a couple of pics of what you are looking for from a fridge that is in for repair) Clean this flame swirler along with running a tube brush down the stack. (just like cleaning a chimney on a fireplace) Doing this should help with your heat transfer problem. Re vacuum around your burner as you will have covered the area with soot.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #11 – July 28, 2016, 04:43:04 pm

Tony,

At least the last 2 pics are pointed in the proper orientation.

Pamela

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #12 – July 28, 2016, 06:46:49 pm

That's how mine was misbehaving shortly before catching fire. Be careful.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #13 – July 28, 2016, 07:05:30 pm

Indeed, one of the first symptoms of a failing cooling unit is that the freezer cools ("coolant" goes through the freezer before going on to the refrigerator) and the refrigerator does not.

Certainly, there are other causes.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #14 – July 28, 2016, 07:33:06 pm

If you can't resolve the issue you can always rebuild it.

Brand New Lifetime Warranty Cooling Systems - Dometic Models 1 - Store

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #15 – July 28, 2016, 09:30:08 pm

FWIW - When we encountered this issue 6 or 7 months ago we found that the cost to rebuild with a new cooling unit was about the same as installing a new Samsung res. refer. That was with me doing all of the labor. As I recall a good new replacement cooling unit was about 1K. We installed the 18 cu ft Samsung somewhat under that. Glad we did.

Sorry to get off track.

Hope your problem is solved easily and inexpensively.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #16 – July 29, 2016, 08:18:13 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – July 28, 2016, 04:35:22 pm

Tony.

You also need to go up top and remove the vent cover and find the burner tube stack. ....
Pamela & Mike

Thanks Mike, Good Info and great pictures, the frig is on A/C right now, I will go on top as soon as cool and no rain, 3 days of rain is forecast.

Quote from: Tom Lang – July 28, 2016, 06:46:49 pm

That's how mine was misbehaving shortly before catching fire. Be careful.

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 28, 2016, 07:05:30 pm

Indeed, one of the first symptoms of a failing cooling unit is that the freezer cools ("coolant" goes through the freezer before going on to the refrigerator) and the refrigerator does not.

Thanks Tom and Greg,
When I spoke with a local RV service center telling them about problem and what I had done so far with no success, they mentioned possible blockage in cooling tube, is that what your saying and is there anyway to unblock maybe a hammer?

I did make an appointment with them 2 weeks from now so I will continue to try and fix.

Before that, I need to re-clean the burner assembly, check LP and clean burner tube from roof side.

Thank you and this forum as always most helpful place! Hopefully, a fix is possible!
Tony

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #17 – July 29, 2016, 08:32:26 am

Quote from: Carol & Scott – July 28, 2016, 09:30:08 pm

FWIW - When we encountered this issue 6 or 7 months ago we found that the cost to rebuild with a new cooling unit was about the same as installing a new Samsung res. refer.

Quote from: John & Carmen – July 28, 2016, 07:33:06 pm

If you can't resolve the issue you can always rebuild it.

Brand New Lifetime Warranty Cooling Systems - Dometic Models 1 - Store

Saw that website Articold Store when problem first started they want $1200 plus $250 shipping for the RM1282 cooling unit and at the time there was no guarantee that it would fix my problem. I did look at their installation video which is very informative, IMO worth a look for by a RV owner.

Scott not ready yet to switch ....but you never know at $1450 delivered from Articold Store or $1350 installed at Amish in Indiana, I may just end up going Residential!

Tony

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #18 – July 29, 2016, 08:52:24 am

Tony, the 19 cu ft French Door Samsung is almost twice as big as the original refrigerator. The freezer space is much more usable. If your original is 36" wide you can add a narrow tall cabinet next to the Samsung. After selling the Dometic without the wooden door panels on Craig's list our net cost to do it ourselves was about $800.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #19 – July 29, 2016, 09:33:51 am

In hind sight the decision was easy. While we were contemplating this problem seemed almost overwhelming. Cost, change, battery power while boondocking and many other concerns. We did not put in a narrow pantry like Roger did. We did not have a work shop to build so later we installed a wider trim piece. It's all good. Glad we did it. Lots of posts here for you to investigate if you choose.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #20 – July 29, 2016, 09:35:28 am

Quote from: Tony Pasquale – July 29, 2016, 08:32:26 am

....but you never know at $1450 delivered from Articold Store or $1350 installed at Amish in Indiana, I may just end up going Residential!

Plus, never again having to worry about a ammonia-fueled fire - PRICELESS.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #21 – July 29, 2016, 09:53:56 am

Tony,

Blockage is caused by high temperatures (generally from running out of level-- even for short periods of time). That precipitates the chromate that is in there as a rust inhibitor. The blockage is cumulative.

You really can not unplug one.

Again, rule out all other causes before concluding that the cooling unit is bad.

Have even seen one of them that failed to cool properly due to bird nest in vent. That was a cheap fix.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #22 – July 29, 2016, 09:54:25 am

Come on, Tony, pull the trigger....

....this'll be my next upgrade! (then solar, then new windows, then FBP, then wood work & shelving in the bathroom, and on and on and on it goes...where it stops, nobody knows!) ....life is short, get the residential...

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #23 – July 29, 2016, 10:31:12 am

We elected to have a residential fridge installed when ours went kaput, and have really enjoyed it. But, we don't do any dry camping or boondocking. I do miss the look and fit of the original fridge (this one protrudes a couple of inches out from the cabinet, which does make a difference in our coach).

Btw, we recently lost power at our enclosed storage facility and our coach sat there for 2-1/2 days with a freezer full of ice. When I finally got to the coach, we still had ice in the freezer despite 90 degree temps here. I was very surprised as I had never gone more than 4 hours with a cold fridge unplugged.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

Re: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts

Reply #24 – July 29, 2016, 10:59:49 am

You really can not unplug on
[/quote]

While boondocking on a Mexican beach many Winters ago I had my fridg stop cooling the lower compartment after stuffing freezer compartment full of unfrozen fish.
Took the fridge out and laid it on its side for 24 hours, called burping. It was the fix and never had any problems after that...

Burping an RV refrigerator to remedy a blocked cooling coil | Mobility RV...

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