Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day (Read 364 times) previous topic - next topic

dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Our driver's side of the coach faces west.  We have a nice port, however after 2 or 3 PM till around 8 the sun hits the side of the coach (not directly but at an angle).
The frig stops cooling at that time.  I took off the grid to look inside. The parts inside are very hot. Hotter than the side of the coach. Sometime in the early evening it resumes the normal temp inside inside the frig.
It's been typically in the 90's here.  Although under the port it is a little less.
Any idea what the problem is?

Thanks
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #1 –
Install two or three 12 VDC muffin fans above the condenser exhausting UP.

And, any difference in cooling on LP vs 120 VAC?
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #2 –
Do you have a fan installed inside the vent near the top? This would be a modification that many make to help offset high temperatures around coils. In Arizona I've seen sun shade screens mounted on the port side to reduce thermal buildup ( not on rv, but 12 or more inches away from side), fan in vent chimney, and fans on cooling fins inside the fridge.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #3 –
Fans in the top vent of the fridge are your best friend. My fridge works fine in 90-100° weather with the sun load.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #4 –
I can try the propane and see.  I don't have a fan. I see two ac plugs out there.  Can I just use those plugs with an ac unit fan.  And I assume that I should place it so that it blows out away from the coils.

Thanks


Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #5 –
Get 12 VDC computer/muffin fans.

They draw very little and pretty easy to wire to a switch with your existing 12 VDC lights in the galley.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #6 –
Roger.

Thanks
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #7 –
You want them to be blowing up.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #8 –

Rick has your coach previously functioned normal under the same conditions? IE like last year under the same conditions. The absorption cooling uses heat exchange to operate so it will be quite hot to work. It also uses thermal siphoning for cooling. Anything you can do to help that will help you. I use three fans outside and two inside to assist the fridge in cooling and prevent frost someone. 12 volt DC. The thermal break is at the front of these fridges and this means  there is additional heat on the side and top that also reduces its ability to keep up cooling. quite involved to change unfortunately. Ive changed my cooling unit hoping to improve its  hot weather operation. I only operate when we are going to use the coach and in these temperatures  I would start three days before needing to use. I think mine is as good as it gets and it is marginal in the heat.
Refrigerator Thermometer, Wireless Indoor Outdoor Digital Thermometer, 2 PCS...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #9 –
I powered mine from the 12v for the fridge, and a thermostat like this from Amazon. That way it's it's all automatic and doesn't run when not needed. Be sure the fuse the positive side of the wire. There are any number of these on Amazon.

 Digital LED Temperature Controller Module, XH-W3001 Thermostat Switch with Waterproof Probe, Programmable Heating Cooling Thermostat (12V 10A 120W)
Amazon's
Choice
for "12v thermostat fan controller"
 Digital LED Temperature Controller Module, XH-W3001 Thermostat Switch with Waterproof Probe, Programmable Heating Cooling Thermostat (12V 10A 120W)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #10 –
Along with the exhaust fan do as Real McCoy touched on. Go to lowes or Home  depot and buy a mesh tarp and hang on the port side of the shed. Inexpensive and the shade will help the cooling unit during those hours when the sun is beating down on the fridge vent.  While your at it you could put the mesh tarps the length of the shed. Anything to get the west sun blocked a bit will help the fridge, the inside temp of the coach and the coaches finish as well. Win multiple ways.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #11 –
Rick,

With you having a '98 are you running the A/C unit in the kitchen to help keep the inside cool during this heat wave? If no then disregard. If yes then climb up on the roof and take something to make an air dam to go between the A/C condenser exhaust and the fridge roof vent. During those years depending on the floor plan the A/C would cause the fridge not to vent properly causing it not to cool during the hot of the day.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: dometic refrigerator not cooling during the day

Reply #12 –
This is a must have piece of equipment.
You need the ARP fridge defender. It helps cool the unit which is your current issue and shuts it down if it overheats which prevents it going on fire and totaling your coach.
Easy to install and suggested to me by another forum member.
Suggest you buy the kit with the fans for the rear and for inside the refrigerator.
Fridge Defend by ARP Protecting Norcold n611 RV Fridge Video
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!