Dometic refrigerator doing poorly in heat

[hlh1]

We're camping at the NC Outer Banks and the temps are around 90 degrees with heat index of 101. The refrigerator was doing poorly on electric and just ok with LP running 25 degrees freezer and 45 degrees refrigerator. Guess there's not much I can do about this?

[vampress_me]

From my experience over the years with a Dometic frig, 2 easy things to try are - add one or two of these little fans in your frig (link at bottom of post), and make sure you did not overstuff the frig with food. There does need to be air flow in order for them to work efficiently.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Fridge-...%2C217&sr=8-17

[hlh1]

I think you have hit on an issue in that it is probably overstuffed, the refrigerator and freezer. Maybe as the trip goes on and we start eating all that stuff it will get better.

[chuckster57]

Another factor is starting the fridge a couple days before you start your trip and don’t put Luke warm food in it if possible.

I will stuff the house fridge to the gills, then move it the day we take off.

[hlh1]

Good morning Chuck, yes, we did that. I think we just have it too full now and it's not keeping up well. Before we left, at home, it was running 11° in the freezer in 35 in the refrigerator. This morning I'm seeing 20 in the freezer and 40 in the refrigerator after running all night.

[TXiceman]

It also helps to add an additional 12 volt van to blow air up through the back (outside) of the fridge. Also make sure that the fridge side of the RV is not getting south or west sun exposure.

Ken

[Max23]

We just had to replace our home fridge. Expensive ordeal but a story for another day. Anyway, in the manual it states, for peak efficiency, never fill it over 60% full for air circulation in the refrigerator section, fill the freezer section as full as possible as frozen good in the freezer help maintain the temperature. Not sure any of that is relevant in this situation but assume efficiency is efficiency no matter what the refrigerator. Take it for what it's worth.

[hlh1]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

It also helps to add an additional 12 volt van to blow air up through the back (outside) of the fridge. Also make sure that the fridge side of the RV is not getting south or west sun exposure.

Ken

Yes, I need to investigate one of these and install one. Have a recommendation?

[hlh1]

Max, 60% is probably a good idea and a whole lot less than what we have in there now.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by hlh1

Yes, I need to investigate one of these and install one. Have a recommendation?

I found a little 4" fan at Walmart & plugged it in the lower part of the outside fridge pointing upwards & plugged it in the same plug as the fridge, worked well.
Also had the little 2 D battery powered fan in the lower left corner of the fridge that helper with cooling & also frost build up.

[Max23]

Originally Posted by hlh1

Max, 60% is probably a good idea and a whole lot less than what we have in there now.

Oh heck ya. Us to. The fridge in our camper is way to small to stop at 60%. Lol. Just a "peak" efficiency thing I guess.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by hlh1

Yes, I need to investigate one of these and install one. Have a recommendation?

I bought a 4", 12 VDC computer fan and installed it.
One of these will help protect the fridge.
https://www.arprv.com/index.php?gcli...xoCAZwQAvD_BwE

Ken

[hlh1]

Still at the Outer Banks and temps today of 88 degrees and the fridge is at 42 and the freezer at 19 degrees. For giggles I used an infrared temp measuring gun to see 133 degrees on the coils after removing the cover. Is that coil temperature about right?

How do you know if your Dometic fridge/freezer is going bad?

[terrythetech]

I am about to do this to increase efficiency of our fridge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urVLYzf-7jA

[jsb5717]

We did 2 things that solved our issues with rising temps in the fridge.

1. The exterior fans. These help a lot in moving more air through the cooling fins on the back of the fridge. They are controlled with their own thermistor so they only come on when needed. Make sure the fans are blowing outward when installed in the upper vent.

2. An internal fan to move the cold air around. We found that we were getting icy veggies in the bottom drawers of the fridge. The internal fan helps to regulate the cold air more evenly throughout the fridge so no more icing.

We've been in 100+ degree days in direct sun and the fridge stays cool.

Added: we splurged for one of these for the internal fan setup. It works great
https://rvcoolingunit.trueims.com/sh..._refrigerators

[SargeW]

Gas absorption refers struggle in heat and humidity. Humidity can cause icing on the refer fins, fooling the thermister about how cold the box actually is. And since they work on a chemical reaction to cool, the lack of a compressor slows things down considerably. Frequent door openings (even quick ones) take their toll as well. Interior fans can help by pushing the colder air on the bottom back to the top, but often the position of the thermister on the fridge cooling fins can dictate the amount of cooling it produces.

Also as the rubber seal around the door wears, valuable cool air may be escaping without your knowledge. An easy test for that is to close a dollar bill in the door seal and then try to pull it out. There should be drag on the bill, if not the door may not be sealing well.

[hlh1]

I have ordered an internal refrigerator and external fans to install when I return from this trip. One thing that concerns me is that nighttime temperatures in the 70s don't improve the refrigerator and freezer temperature. But it is humid here on the beach.

[jsb5717]

Seems like the cooler outdoor temps should help. The fans will help a properly functioning fridge. On ours I found that there was a lot of heat build-up on top of the fridge that just wouldn't clear out. The fans helped that a lot.

[RV Vacation]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

It also helps to add an additional 12 volt van to blow air up through the back (outside) of the fridge. Also make sure that the fridge side of the RV is not getting south or west sun exposure.

Ken

Exactly and great advice, not that all the other advice isn't good but, ventilation is key with a RV refridgerator, "especially" on hot days and when the sun is hitting the refrigerator side of the camper.

This type of refrigerator works from a heat source. Either a gas fired flame or an electric heating element. This type of cooling unit can not compete with high ambient temperatures.

Keep in mind, the compartment where the refrigerator is located will be well above the outside air temperatures. That heat needs be removed.

Just my two cents.

Be well and safe travels.

[SargeW]

And if your refer is in a slide, that means no roof top vent. So you may need another fan at the top of the cabinet to blow the hot air out of the opening. I have seen a few rigs where the owner installed a pull down window awning over the refer area to keep the sun off and the temps down. It works.