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Topic: Refrigerator section does Not cool on LP, freezer works fine.......any thoughts (Read 1505 times) previous topic - next topic

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

Reply #20 –
Quote from: Tony Pasquale –
....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 –
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 –
Come on, Tony, pull the trigger....  8)  ....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 –
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 –
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...

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

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
... 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.
Hi Roger,
Great job selling the Dometic Refrigerator, was it a working model when you sold it?  installing the residential refrigerator takes some wood working tools plus removing and adding frig to coach will be tough no one nearby to help. The other hurdle is I am definitely challenged on electrical skills as I would want to add a dedicated inverter.
However, We will see how this will plays out, thanks for the suggestions
Quote from: Miz Dani –
Come on, Tony, pull the trigger....  8)  ....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... 
Thanks Dani for the push, I have added upgrades also, I am just trying to handle this myself then I will review other alternatives if need be.

Quote from: Doug W. –
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...

Doug, I read the article and will use it, burping, as a last resort!
Thank You!

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions! ^.^d
Tony




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

Reply #26 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.

The best way to protect your cooling unit is to shut it off whenever it's out of level..........that way high temperatures aren't achieved.

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

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
The best way to protect your cooling unit is to shut it off whenever it's out of level..........that way high temperatures aren't achieved.
Is that still true? I know on our older coaches it was important, but in looking through my manual on our newer Dometic, they say, "if one is comfortable walking around the coach when landed, the fridge will operate fine." That being said, we still level, big time. ^.^d

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

Reply #28 –
There is a small number of degrees tolerance to being level,  but rather than taking a chance on miscalculations I go for level,  which is simple with the air ride leveling feature.

Plus, the tubing is only pitched one way,  so IMHO being a few degrees out  of level isn't the same in both fore and aft directions..

When I get back home I'll just shut the reefer down
until next time we go somewhere.  I have never had a cooling unit go bad that was new when I got it.

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

Reply #29 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Is that still true? I know on our older coaches it was important, but in looking through my manual on our newer Dometic, they say, "if one is comfortable walking around the coach when landed, the fridge will operate fine." That being said, we still level, big time. ^.^d

Yes, absolutely true.

And, with an absorption refrigerator, I would certainly fit it with an ARP controller.  I have attended one of his seminars and he mildly tips  a working cooling unit.  On the screen is an instant readout of boiler temperature. It rises shockingly fast.

So, it is not just while parked that you need to be level.  If you are climbing a 5 miles grade, the boiler temperatures will rise high enough to allow chromate to precipitate.

The ARC controller automatically turns of the refrigerator and then restarts is when boiler temperature drops.

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

Reply #30 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
The ARC controller automatically turns of the refrigerator and then restarts is when boiler temperature drops
Thanks, Brett, never heard of it, did a search, not spendy compared to a fresh Dometic! So, my "muffin fans" do something different, I assume? Ah, the "bells and whistles" never end.

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

Reply #31 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Thanks, Brett, never heard of it, did a search, not spendy compared to a fresh Dometic! So, my "muffin fans" do something different, I assume? Ah, the "bells and whistles" never end.

The muffin fans help the cooling capacity.

The ARP controls/turn on and off the cooling process.

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

Reply #32 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
The muffin fans help the cooling capacity. The ARP controls/turn on and off the cooling process.
And I also see it works whether the fridge is on a.c. or propane.  ^.^d  How come our coach is missing an ARP, or are they newer?

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

Reply #33 –
ARP did not exist back then or it would have.

And, yes, your muffin fans are 12 VDC, so they can work when cooling on either 120 VAC or propane.

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

Reply #34 –
Tony,

Take the back cover off.  Get a long screwdriver that you can use for a listening probe. Put metal end on absorption tank (that is the round tank that runs horizontally across the back) and your ear on the end of the handle of the screwdriver.  Now do you hear quiet or do you have a gurgling sound? 

Pamela & Mike

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

Reply #35 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Tony,

Take the back cover off.  Get a long screwdriver that you can use for a listening probe. Put metal end on absorption tank (that is the round tank that runs horizontally across the back) and your ear on the end of the handle of the screwdriver.  Now do you hear quiet or do you have a gurgling sound? 

Pamela & Mike
Mike, I will check tomorrow, question if I hear gurgling but refrigirator still not cooling ..... ? Just saying either way doesn't seem good if frig still not cooling...let you know tomorrow.

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

Reply #36 –
Tony,

Your 1st post said the unit worked on 120vac just not on propane.  Depending on the noise report will help determine how well it is working on 120vac.  What would be good also would be to know what the temp is in the freezer (the most important) and what the temp is in the fridge side.  Let me be sure you know to listen while on electric. If it is quiet on electric it will be quiet on gas.

By the way gurgling and not cooling=bad

Pamela & Mike

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

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Tony,

Your 1st post said the unit worked on 120vac just not on propane.  Depending on the noise report will help.....

By the way gurgling and not cooling=bad

Pamela & Mike

No noise present on A/C or LP then went up on coach roof and tried removing baffle but I did not have tools or proper angle to replace baffle once removed, more precise not exactly in condition physicaly to be playing around on edge of roof. I will check LP and confirm pressure at burner orifice is correct.

Tony