Refrigerator warms up when driving

DSDP Don wrote:
I have to say that I don't always agree with "dougrainer", especially when it comes to changing over to a residential refrigerator, but in this situation I think he's right. His statement is not in his character, but I'm guessing he got aggravated. Not everyone has the room, money or camping style (boon docking) to change over to a residential refer. Some RV's are just to small to do it.

With that said, let's keep in mind that every time "dougrainer" comes on here, the OP is basically getting a free diagnose or "service call".

When I read this post, it wasn't the typical post about a refer not cooling. The OP documented exactly what was occurring with times and temperatures. I knew immediately it wasn't a fan issue and had no idea what might be wrong. My next thought, "dougrainer" needs to show up and he did. His diagnosis sounded spot on.

I think for the sake of free "service calls", we should respect his posts and keep him returning here for as long as we can!

No sucking up, just trying to keep a valuable resource around.

X2


I know it's easy to get irritated, we all have. At the end of a day, just let it roll off like water on a ducks back. :)

We have had same problem for 3 years. Our fridge works great parked. 2 weeks ago left home it was 30 degrees got to Chatanooga it was 54.6. Our temps rise 2.5-3.0 degrees per hour while moving. DH thinks a vacuum is being created by our front jacks so the lower vent can't pull in air. DH did make a plexiglass cover that covered half of the lower air vents and it did help. When we park we have to remove it. It is so frustrating. In addition we bought a 5day cooler. Some folks put ice in the fridge to keep temp down, others just pack cooler until they get to their destination. Personally, I am over it. It's just too aggravating. Good luck!

I have to say that I don't always agree with "dougrainer", especially when it comes to changing over to a residential refrigerator, but in this situation I think he's right. His statement is not in his character, but I'm guessing he got aggravated. Not everyone has the room, money or camping style (boon docking) to change over to a residential refer. Some RV's are just to small to do it.

With that said, let's keep in mind that every time "dougrainer" comes on here, the OP is basically getting a free diagnosis or "service call".

When I read this post, it wasn't the typical post about a refer not cooling. The OP documented exactly what was occurring with times and temperatures. I knew immediately it wasn't a fan issue and had no idea what might be wrong. My next thought, "dougrainer" needs to show up and he did. His diagnosis sounded spot on.

I think for the sake of free "service calls", we should respect his posts and keep him returning here for as long as we can!

No sucking up, just trying to keep a valuable resource around.

The NDA 1402 has 2 drain tubes for the evap fins. In the bottom back wall of the freezer side is a drain hole. Below the refer side evap fins is a drain pan and that also has a drain tube that goes out the back of the refer. They both combine to a T fitting with one drain hose. So, odds are from 8 years old refer, that white plastic drain line has deteriorated and you basically have a hot air egress into both sides of the refer. When in transit, these open hole/s will be sucking in hot air. Check those drain hoses. Also, if the hoses are in good shape(I doubt it), plug them off and then do your next test drive. This is the most common cause of temp rise in a Dometic refer while in transit. Doug

chezhead wrote:
I had the same issue with the exact same model. After several years of fighting with Dometic and Fleetwood (they each blamed each other) I gave up and went with a Samsung residential. Best move I've ever made and I didn't have to add any batteries.

I have 4 house batteries and there is no room to add any more. How can you have a residential refrigerator without adding batteries?

I had the same issue with the exact same model. After several years of fighting with Dometic and Fleetwood (they each blamed each other) I gave up and went with a Samsung residential. Best move I've ever made and I didn't have to add any batteries.

fridge in a slide out ?

adding the fans may help
also creating shield ? drafting cover over the the upper vent
something to allow hot air out to the rear, but block on coming air from being forced into the vent
same idea as the roof top fridge vent covers

Obviously your travel is creating turbulence that is restricting vertical convection venting, and I know slide mounts are paticurally finnikey. I suspect if you were yo install a 12v box fan or two on the upper exhaust you could better manage that problem. Some mount them down below, but certainly a draw out the top creates less internal turblance than trying to force air in.