Mobile tech for Laredo?

[CedarCreekWoody]

Will Keystone Laredo normally authorize the use of a mobile tech for a 5th wheel that is under warranty? What number should I call? I assume they are on eastern time zone.

We are in California, 1500 miles from our dealer, and our fridge has quit working. I have verified it has 120 volt and 12 volt power and the two fuses on the circuit board are good. I don't know enough about refrigeration to dig deeper.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Will Keystone Laredo normally authorize the use of a mobile tech for a 5th wheel that is under warranty? What number should I call? I assume they are on eastern time zone.

We are in California, 1500 miles from our dealer, and our fridge has quit working. I have verified it has 120 volt and 12 volt power and the two fuses on the circuit board are good. I don't know enough about refrigeration to dig deeper.

Woody!

Dunno if the mobile tech thing works but I would call Keystone customer service (866) 425-4369 8 till 5 EST and 8 till 4 on Fridays. You will have better luck getting the correct answer asking them directly. In our camper, I also have a 2nd refrigerator (dorm size) that my daughter gave me. She is a senior manager and thought it would be nice to have in her office but found out immediately she ran afoul of the rules. We can store all our drinks, milk and a few frozen things and one of those may tide you over until you can get your fridge fixed. Good luck!

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Will Keystone Laredo normally authorize the use of a mobile tech for a 5th wheel that is under warranty? What number should I call? I assume they are on eastern time zone.

We are in California, 1500 miles from our dealer, and our fridge has quit working. I have verified it has 120 volt and 12 volt power and the two fuses on the circuit board are good. I don't know enough about refrigeration to dig deeper.

Why deal with Keystone????? If it's a Dometic refrigerator, call Dometic. If it's a Norcold, call them. The refrigerator is NOT warrantied by Keystone, they only foot the bill then file for reimbursement from the manufacturer. Cut out the "middleman" and call the manufacturer directly. They may pay for a mobile tech to come to you or they may (probably do) have multiple service centers that are not associated with RV dealerships. That alone, will save you the hassle of making an appointment, delivering the trailer to a dealer and playing the waiting game....

[CedarCreekWoody]

Thanks guys. I do plan to make some calls tomorrow. I found a tech for Dometic a couple miles from here, not sure if he works mobile. Thanks for the feedback.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Well working with Dometic didnt work out so great. They recommended a mobile tech that could handle warranty work, but i had to pay for his service trip and then he could file a claim with them for the repair. The tech they approved wanted $330 to come out and then extra for any repair. But he didn't want to bother with filing with Dometic, he said I could do that if I wanted to.
I called a different tech but he couldn't get out to me until next week. However he talked me through a few things to check and helped me find a thermal fuse that was blown. He told me how to install a temporary 15 amp fuse that got the fridge running. I ordered a pack of ten replacement thermal fuses from Amazon that set me back $8. Hopefully in the future I will be close to my home dealer (I'm currently 1500 miles away) if i have any warranty issues. My mobile tech warranty repair has been a real disappointment. But I am very thankful for the tech that talked me through the diagnosis! South Coast Mobile RV in Anaheim if you ever need help in this area.

[wiredgeorge]

OK, now that you are an expert, what does a thermal fuse look like and where was it located? You might take some pics as it could help someone else. Glad you are back on track if not fully there yet!

[chuckster57]

Sounds like the one between the power block and the stack. Nothing will power up if that is blown. It seems to be the common failure point when a Dometic refer won’t power up.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Sounds like the one between the power block and the stack. Nothing will power up if that is blown. It seems to be the common failure point when a Dometic refer won’t power up.

Yes, that is exactly what it was. Everything dead, no lights on display.

George I did not take photos, will do so when the replacement arrives next week and I reinstall.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Yes, that is exactly what it was. Everything dead, no lights on display.

George I did not take photos, will do so when the replacement arrives next week and I reinstall.

Thanks! Hopefully you are not near all those wildfires out in Cali. Keep seeing wildfire in the news.

[CedarCreekWoody]

All clear here so far. Thanks.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

OK, now that you are an expert, what does a thermal fuse look like and where was it located? You might take some pics as it could help someone else. Glad you are back on track if not fully there yet!

Here it is George. A 152°C thermal fuse. Couldn't find locally so ordered from Amazon. Got 10 of them for $8. It is small, looks like a resistor but is a thermal fuse. There is a red wire that goes from the 12 volt block on the left side to the exhaust stack on the right side. The fuse is in the middle of the wire, covered by the fabric sleeve pictured below the wire.
The fridge had no lights showing on the display which led me to suspect loss of 12 volt power. When I checked the red wire had 12 volts on one end, zero volts on the other. A quick continuity test confirmed the fuse was blown (not visibly apparent.) Just cut out the bad fuse, crimp in the new one and slide the insulating sleeve over it. Small uninsulated crimps work best, easier to go into the sleeve.