Dometic Refrigerator Issues

[Bombo80]

We have a 2021 Hideout 177RD.
Last year we didn't have too many issues with the refrigerator running cold, like they should run.
This year we have been having quite a few issues with it.
It is a model RM2351.
It seems to not run well on shore power, and OK at times on propane.
I have discovered the manual shutoff valve tends to move around, and possibly is the cause why it doesn't work well on propane.


Not sure if there is supposed to be a gasket on the knob, or not.
Last night, I leveled the RV and turned the propane tank on, then pressed the power on button in, and the gas button out.

This morning it was reading 37 degrees.
I had read about the thermistor positioning, and have it on the 3rd fin from the left, and almost all the way to the top of that fin.
Just over a week ago we were on a week long trip to Estes Park CO.
We spent one night in at the Badlands KOA. It was definitely HOT !!!! 100 to 105 during the middle of the day.
I understand the refrigerator not keeping up in weather like that.
We had it set for AUTO, but I noticed that it was not using much gas.
But it would cool down overnight, and was able to freeze the blue ice packs.
Unfortunately while traveling, the temps would climb to 60 inside the fridge.
Even when we got to the KOA in Estes Park, the fridge would struggle to maintain cool temps. We had it on AUTO to see if being hooked into shore power would help. But not too much. The weather wasn't as hot as the Badlands, but it still wasn't using any gas. I don't think the electrical side would be competing against the AC unit.
For the rest of the trip, it was hit and miss as far as the refrigerator working correctly. Fortunately we had a couple coolers to get us through our trip.
Now that we are home, we got the RV all cleaned up, inside and out. Lots of dead bugs !!!
Prosol Works Bugs N’ All Bug and Tar remover worked like a charm !!!!
Since we have been home, I have a better understanding of how the refrigerator functions.
One thing we have noticed is the counter top above the fridge get really hot !!
I discovered the insulation was lacking above it. See picture below.

I pulled out the piece of siding that was screwed in above the fridge and installed a couple more pieces of R-19 insulation, then re-installed the siding piece.
I also found a folded cardboard piece that says it need to stay in, and NOT to remove it.
Not sure what the purpose of it being in there does. See picture below.


Question : Has anyone put a small computer fan in by the heat fins to help dissipate the heat that builds up ?

We are going camping this weekend, so we will see how things run. I am planning on keeping the fridge running on propane.

If anyone has suggestions or tips, I would gladly accept them.

[BartsPlace]

I'm surprised that there aren't fans in there already. Side exhaust installs usually require something to move the air. Beech Lane and others make a rig that attaches to the inside of grill (that you removed to take the pictures).


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I use one, and also a small fan to circulate the air within the fridge. Solved all my hot weather problems.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[chuckster57]

The Americana under counter series of Dometic fridges are small with small cooling units so they do real well in any heat. They use vERY LITTLE propane to operate, and the AC heating element isn’t rated as high for watts as the “full size” units.

You can’t operate both the AC and LP sides at the same time. LP mode locks out the heating element even if you’re plugged into shore power. The piece of cardboard you’re talking about is probably just below the top row of fins and should be fairly close to them. It’s needed to help with proper air movement.

There are kits for adding a fan, as yours most likely didn’t come with one. Adding insulation at the top will help reduce countertop temps, I would recommend foul faced heat shield as used in motorhomes and race cars.

[Gary R.]

We, too, had problems with the fridge getting too warm, like 43 degrees on a warm day.

I purchased the Beech Lane triple fan that mounts to the fridge fins with alligator clips.

After installing the power wire, and powering it up, we find it works quite well. Temps in the fridge stay pretty much near 34 degrees.

Gotta keep that beer cold, ya know!

[Bombo80]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

When I got home last night, the fridge was at 50 and the inside of the RV was 90.

I am definitely going to look into the fans for the heat fins as well as a small fan to put in the fridge.

[Bombo80]

So here is the Titan fan that I bought and mounted to the vent cover.


The board that is in front of the cooling fins only goes down to the top of the lower opening vent.
I fed the wires down to the area where the fridge controls are located. I measured the voltage to make sure it was 12VDC.
This is where I connected the power wires for the fan and controller.


I have the fan running in manual mode, and after the first night, the fridge has been right about 35*. I am happy with that.
I also bought the Camco fridge aerator fan to put in the fridge.
I also have the thermistor on the second fin, almost all the way to the top o the fin.
Today will be the biggest test. It is currently 95* with a proposed temp of 100*. The dew point is 78* and the humidity is 58% with a feels like temp of 112*.
Hopefully the fans will do what is needed to keep things cool.
I will chime back in later after I get home to see how things are staying cold.

[RickV]

I did this on my previous 5ver that had the Dometic 4 door (think it was the 1350) in the slide out never had another problem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wVT...arlesCoushaine

[Bombo80]

So, the fan setup seems to have helped. It was 100* air temp, with a feels like temp of 115*.
Yeah, that is damn hot no matter where you are.
The RV was about 85* inside, with the AC running and set at 74*.
The fridge was 42*, but slowly increased up to 44* over the next several hours.
This morning it was 75*, feeling like 85*.
Lots of humidity in the air.
The RV temp was 75 and the fridge was at 44*.
I put two large ice bags (from Hello Fresh meal delivery) in the fridge.
We will see how the temps hold up today.
Only supposed to be 95*, feeling like 110* today.
We are just hoping to have a decent solution for our upcoming trip to Florida, without having to put all the food in coolers.

[Bombo80]

So the addition of the fan on the upper vent panel, as well as the Camco fridge fan, we were able to maintain temps about 37*.
In Florida with 100 degree temps, I will take it.

[hlh1]

Originally Posted by Bombo80

So the addition of the fan on the upper vent panel, as well as the Camco fridge fan, we were able to maintain temps about 37*.
In Florida with 100 degree temps, I will take it.

Good to hear this. I have all these fans now installed but the heat has abated for this year. I'll give them a try next year.

[LHaven]

We had a couple weeks of 115°+ here. Went bats trying to figure out what was "broken" because my fridge was doing poorly (though freezer stayed fine). Played with the board, validated the thermistor, checked for better performance on propane than electric (equally poor). Finally determined it just flat couldn't keep up with the heat, and the only solution was more (fan forced) ventilation. Temps broke before I got around to it, but I have the parts on hold at Amazon.

[Hblick48]

I guess mine is doing OK. 12 volt fan clipped to fins, 3 exhaust fans in top vent, sheetmetal to force air through fins.

[hlh1]

Sure looks like it's doing ok with outside temps at 95 degrees. Freezer at 12 and fridge at 39.