Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

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Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

September 24, 2021, 06:41:04 pm

So I just noticed water sitting at the bottom of the outside compartment for the refrigerator. See first picture. Shouldn't there be a hose somewhere back there for drainage. I have not been able to locate one.

Alternatively, is the refrigerator counting on the MH to be level so it can drain without a hose.

I do have ice forming inside the freezer. That may be related.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #1 – September 24, 2021, 06:42:42 pm

Yes, there WAS a hose. Many failed. You really need to replace it, as the floor to the refrigerator compartment is likely not water proof.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #2 – September 24, 2021, 06:46:56 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – September 24, 2021, 06:42:42 pm

Yes, there WAS a hose. Many failed. You really need to replace it, as the floor to the refrigerator compartment is likely not water proof.

I can't find the stem or connection point for a hose. If anyone knows where the stem is ...

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #3 – September 24, 2021, 07:00:32 pm

I think I found it. See picture. That coupler for the white hose is leaking. What kind of connector is that? I'm trying to see if I can figure out how to disconnect and figure out what I need to order.

But the problem may just be that wherever that white hose comes out may be plugged shot, thereby not letting the hose drain. I would think FT would have routed that hose to come out at some port at the bottom of the RV.

No draining may also be why I'm getting ice build up inside the freezer.

It got dark in PA way too fast. This is going to have to wait until first light tomorrow.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #4 – September 24, 2021, 07:21:42 pm

That hose looks to be the water feed to the ice maker rather than the drain. That fitting is one of those sharkbite push lock fittings. They can be found at any home improvement store.

Mike

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #5 – September 24, 2021, 07:44:31 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 24, 2021, 06:41:04 pm

Alternatively, is the refrigerator counting on the MH to be level so it can drain without a hose.

Aside from the drainage question, the refrigerator is counting on the MH to be level so you don't damage the absorption unit. Running it when not parked/camped level will cause the coil to form blockages that could result in permanent damage. This applies to both LP and 120VAC operation since the only difference between the two is the source of heat.

(note, not an issue driving since the motion keeps the refrigerant moving)

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #6 – September 24, 2021, 07:54:12 pm

On my Dometic NDR1492, the end the fridge drain inside the fridge can pulled out a short distance so if someone moves it in and out, you can see it in the outside access area.

Sorry no pic, I'm not by the coach.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #7 – September 24, 2021, 08:09:06 pm

It drains inside the freezer side at the bottom of where the door closes. The hose runs down and out the bottom of the underbelly fiberglass. On the bottom of that hose is a plastic grate to keep bugs and such out. That is what clogs up. Assuming yours is a side by side. Also, the fridge side has a drain that T's to that hose. Caveat: on mine!

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #8 – September 24, 2021, 08:27:47 pm

Quote from: Twig – September 24, 2021, 08:09:06 pm

It drains inside the freezer side at the bottom of where the door closes. The hose runs down and out the bottom of the underbelly fiberglass. On the bottom of that hose is a plastic grate to keep bugs and such out. That is what clogs up. Assuming yours is a side by side. Also, the fridge side has a drain that T's to that hose. Caveat: on mine!

Excellent. Yep, thanks for pointing that out. I see that drain in the freezer section. I also see one right under the coils in the fridge section.

Yes, mine is a side by side NDR1492.

So the plastic grate that sometimes gets clogged. Is that accessible from the compartment outside?

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #9 – September 24, 2021, 08:58:31 pm

Peter, you can push in on the red part of that fitting while pulling the hose out, the hose should slide out of the fitting.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #10 – September 24, 2021, 11:43:44 pm

Your cooling unit is very rusty. I'm sure some of it was caused by the lack of a proper drain hose but what about the top vent? Is water getting in there as well?

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #11 – September 25, 2021, 11:49:51 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – September 24, 2021, 11:43:44 pm

Your cooling unit is very rusty. I'm sure some of it was caused by the lack of a proper drain hose but what about the top vent? Is water getting in there as well?

Dakota

Take a look at this other picture showing more rust in more coils. Am I looking at a safety issue? If so, may be it's time to replace the fridge.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #12 – September 25, 2021, 11:58:25 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – September 24, 2021, 07:21:42 pm

That hose looks to be the water feed to the ice maker rather than the drain. That fitting is one of those sharkbite push lock fittings. They can be found at any home improvement store.

Mike

Mike
I think you're right. I think that's the water line going to the ice maker. The sharky coupler is what is leaking. The water in the outside fridge compartment doesn't have anything to do with draining the fridge.

Now, I'm trying to locate the valve to turn the water off to the ice maker until I get a chance to replace the sharky.

The white plastic pipe goes to what looks like a pump. From there, a black hose goes up the back of the refrigerator, probably on its way to the ice maker.

I think the white plastic pipe gets its water from the "T" underneath the sink in the kitchen. See picture. I think that butterfly valve is not for shutting off the water to the ice maker but just part of draining the water line as when winterizing? But, I'm not sure

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #13 – September 25, 2021, 12:04:28 pm

I think that I do have a drainage connection for the fridge. See pictures.

In addition to the white plastic pipe that may be for the ice maker, there is also a black pipe exiting from the right side of that white caulking blob. That pipe is going to a "T". One connection goes to the bottom and back of the freezer section which would correspond to that drain in the freezer. The other side of the "T" goes up the back of the fridge. That may be draining the fridge part.

Update: I found the exit point for the drain for the refrigerator out of the bus. It comes out the bottom of the bus underneath the compartment with the plumbing manifold. I just poured water into the drain port in the back of the fridge and watched it come out.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #14 – September 25, 2021, 02:46:56 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 25, 2021, 11:58:25 am

Now, I'm trying to locate the valve to turn the water off to the ice maker until I get a chance to replace the sharky.

Peter,

On my coach, that "T" valve was to shut off the water to both the ice maker in the freezer and the filtered water faucet at the sink. One winter I failed to properly drain the ice maker line and it froze and broke up behind the fridge. To fix it I would have to pull the fridge out to get to the problem. I opted to forego the ice making capability for the time being (several years now) thinking that I will eventually replace the fridge. I had to add another shut-off valve under the sink to shut off the water to the ice maker while still having use of the filtered water faucet. As I recall I used Shark Bite fittings to accomplish this.

Richard

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #15 – September 25, 2021, 03:08:04 pm

Hi Mike

That "T" for me just seems to drain the lines. There must be a valve somewhere to turn water to the ice maker off.

I'll be back home on Monday. So two projects before I get back on the road:

1 - Add a valve under the sink to turn water to ice maker off. Replace the leaking sharky connector in the outside compartment for fridge.

2 - Remove the wood paneling at front top passenger side to check on wiring for awning controller and motor.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #16 – September 25, 2021, 03:51:33 pm

Quote from: MarkC – September 24, 2021, 08:58:31 pm

Peter, you can push in on the red part of that fitting while pulling the hose out, the hose should slide out of the fitting.

Hi Mark

I turned the pump off. I then disconnected the coupler as per your suggestion. I let the water drain and inspected the coupler. Not much that can be done with maintenance for that quick connect coupler. I reconnected it to the hose. As soon as I turned the pump on, it started to leak. I'll take it to Depot for a replacement.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #17 – September 25, 2021, 05:22:20 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 25, 2021, 11:49:51 am

Dakota

Take a look at this other picture showing more rust in more coils. Am I looking at a safety issue? If so, may be it's time to replace the fridge.

I'm not an expert but I do know that rust is not a good thing on a cooling unit. The lack of a hose directing water out of the fridge and past the cooling unit is the most likely cause of the rust. My Norcold has a small hose that drains the water into a cup where it evaporates. If I defrost the fridge and freezer I position the hose to drain outside the reefer compartment because the cup only holds so much water.
Maybe someone can explain the fire danger of a leaking cooling unit.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #18 – September 25, 2021, 05:41:22 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – September 25, 2021, 05:22:20 pm

I'm not an expert but I do know that rust is not a good thing on a cooling unit ...
Maybe someone can explain the fire danger of a leaking cooling unit.

Yep. Someone else in this park also expressed concern for the rust. Until I figure out what I'm going to do, I have turned the propane tank off. I'll run the refrigerator on AC. I have plenty of batteries to keep the refrigerator happy. The burners also run on propane but I'll use the microwave instead.

Noobie question. Is there still a fire danger from a leaking cooling unit if I'm running on AC?

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #19 – September 25, 2021, 06:03:25 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 25, 2021, 05:41:22 pm

Noobie question. Is there still a fire danger from a leaking cooling unit if I'm running on AC?

Yes, but substantially reduced.

No reason you can't use propane to cook. Just don't run the refrigerator on propane.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #20 – September 25, 2021, 06:41:14 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – September 25, 2021, 06:03:25 pm

Yes, but substantially reduced.

No reason you can't use propane to cook. Just don't run the refrigerator on propane.

It won't run long. Once the accelerant runs out, not even AC will help.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #21 – September 25, 2021, 06:45:13 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 25, 2021, 03:08:04 pm

That "T" for me just seems to drain the lines. There must be a valve somewhere to turn water to the ice maker off.

If you lift the handle up on top of the under sink filter it will shut off the water to the ice maker and the small spout on the sink because those are the only things it filters.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #22 – September 25, 2021, 06:47:35 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 24, 2021, 08:27:47 pm

So the plastic grate that sometimes gets clogged. Is that accessible from the compartment outside?

The drain hose should exit out the very bottom of the coach. It comes through the fiberglass underpanel. It is small and pushed into the hose, as I recall.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #23 – September 25, 2021, 06:57:56 pm

Quote from: Twig – September 25, 2021, 06:45:13 pm

If you lift the handle up on top of the under sink filter it will shut off the water to the ice maker and the small spout on the sink because those are the only things it filters.

No small water spout for me ... "No soup either"(Seinfeld)

I only have one faucet. The handle on the under sink filter turns my cold water line to the faucet off.

I love the Berkey water filter system. I use that for my fresh water at each park for cooking and drinking.

Re: Refrigerator doesn't seem to be draining properly

Reply #24 – September 26, 2021, 08:07:56 pm

Quote from: cucotx – September 25, 2021, 06:57:56 pm

No small water spout for me ... "No soup either"(Seinfeld)

I only have one faucet. The handle on the under sink filter turns my cold water line to the faucet off.

I love the Berkey water filter system. I use that for my fresh water at each park for cooking and drinking.

Dang these high falootin fancy rigs. It also shuts off the ice maker water. This is the first one I've known that gives filtered sink water. You must run through a lot of filters.

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