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JRMunn's avatar
JRMunn
Explorer
Mar 06, 2021

Refrigerator Too Warm

After the knuckle busting task of changing a furnace motor, I have tried not to be learning something new about my 2004 Sunnybrook 5th wheel for a while. But I have been putting up with a refrigerator problem that needs to be taken care of before the summer heat arrives. There is no shore power where the trailer is parked, so I have the refrigerator running on propane. It has separate freezer and refrigerator compartments. The freezer part seems to work fine, but the refrigerator is too warm. I have tried moving the temperature sensor up and down on the refrigeration fin without seeing much change in temperature. The refrigerator is a Dometic model no. RM2862 with a product no. of 921 14 60-96. Any suggestions about how to solve this temperature problem would be greatly appreciated.

JR Munn

18 Replies

  • 1st off is fridge being operated LEVEL?

    2nd thing is that Model (RM2862) has 'adjustable temp setting' (1-5) so thermistor should be in OEM position as that is where thermostat is calibrated for the temp setting range
    **Fridges that use the 'Auto Temp Control' (no temp setting) you can move thermistor UP/DOWN for minor affect on overall temps

    What temp is Freezer holding?
    What temp is Food Compartment holding?

    12VDC is needed for Controls, Display Panel and fridge functions on Electric/Propane

    One simple test is to remove thermostat/clip from fin and let it dangle so it is just hanging
    No temp sensing of FIN the thermostat will run fridge continuously
    **Freezer/Food Compartment should get VERY Cold after 12hrs of running w/o thermistor sensing

    Freezer getting COLD (10*F or lower) and food compartment NOT could be:
    *Off level operation
    *Thermistor
    *Gas pressure/dirty burner
    *Circuit Board
    **CLOGGED Cooling Unit (between freezer coil and food compartment coil


    SO
    Answer the questions about temps
    Try 12 hr run W/O thermistor

    Post back
  • Have you done the door seal test? A fan in the frig section can help to move the air around.
    Frig needs 12v all the time when on propane to run control board.
  • midnightsadie wrote:
    you do need a good solid 12v to the frig at all times. take outside vents off look for yellow resado ,,nice bright blue flame.?


    I'm not sure about the 12v to the frig at all times. It will draw what it needs for control power from the batteries and the rest from propane when set that way. We boondock or dry camp the majority of the time only using 12v (plugged in to 30amp) on the fridge when cooling it down when we're getting ready for a trip (or we run it on 12v powered by our solar en route).
  • I know you said you adjusted the fins up and down, but what about the temp setting control? Ours ranges from 2 - 5 and the higher the number, the colder the temp in the fridge. Freezer seems to be freezing no matter what temp. I panicked when I set the temp to 2 and it was getting warmer and not colder, on propane.
  • you do need a good solid 12v to the frig at all times. take outside vents off look for yellow resado ,,nice bright blue flame.?
  • Verify the ventilation clearances in the owner's manual. You may need to close up the space between the coils and the outside wall of rig.