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pk1023's avatar
pk1023
Explorer
May 12, 2014

Dometic Fridge issues, why no cold?

Heya all,

We have one of the entry level Dometic half height fridges. The kind with the built in drawer for the freezer and cooling fins below it. It does have an integrated lighter for the gas mode, so I just have 2 switches on the front, one for power and one for auto or gas mode.

Here's the question. This thing TAKES forever to get cold. Like when we're leaving after a single night of camping then the fridge is COLD! :)

I think the temperature probe has something to do with it. It has that plastic piece that's supposed to hold it up by the fins. But for the life of me I can't get it to stay! I know it shouldn't be that hard, but it's always getting jostled out and just hanging in the fridge.

Can someone explain the operation here? I understand a normal fridge and it's ability to sense temp and humidity of the unit. But, this Dometic is getting the best of me!
  • TXiceman's avatar
    TXiceman
    Explorer II
    May 14, 2014
    The cooling unit in a gas absorption RV frig is really pretty small. The hotter it is out, the longer to cool the unit.

    Read the owners manual about operating the unit. Start the frig 12 to 24 hours before you need it. Also load it with only precooled foods.

    You can help the cooling by:
    Adding one or two 4" computer fans to the out side
    Add one 3" computer fan to the interior.
    Make sure the frig is level to be within the specs.

    Ken
  • bsinmich's avatar
    bsinmich
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    When it was 100F and we wanted to cool down we got 3# of dry ice from the local store. It cost less than $1. per pound.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 12, 2014
    That plastic piece is the clip for the 'thermister' which is the temp sensor for thermostat.

    If the thermister falls down off fins the fridge can go into a continuous cooling mode and end up freezing food/milk in food section

    The tip (bulb end) of thermister should just protrude out top of plastic clip.
    Plastic clip should be attached (slipped onto) to right fin midway position.

    You can move thermistor clip up.down for minor adjustments to fridge temp. Up....cooler Down...less cooler

    The clip has probably lost it's tension.
    Add some tape to inside area of clip so that is grabs fin tight and stays put
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2014
    pk1023 wrote:
    t plastic piece that's supposed to hold it up by the fins. But for the life of me I can't get it to stay!
    I've never heard of that problem, but I'm sure it's better to have it ON the fin.
  • Deadheadmatt's avatar
    Deadheadmatt
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    Another tip is to precool the food you are putting in the fridge. If you are putting warm items in, it takes a while to cool them down again. We usually pack anything that will go in the camper fridge in our cooler or house fridge the day before. We also have one of those little battery operated circulation fans inside the fridge that makes a big difference.

    Matt
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    pk1023 wrote:

    ...This thing TAKES forever to get cold. Like when we're leaving after a single night of camping then the fridge is COLD....


    Define "forever".

    If you read your manual it probably tells you to turn the refrigerator on 24 hours before use.

    In reality it will take somewhere between 4 hours and 24 hours.
  • tonyj54's avatar
    tonyj54
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    Yep, ours takes a long time time to cool. Talked to the guy who does all my gas work(we have propane for cooking), and he says that the size of the capillary tubing is the culprit. So, what i do now is turn on the gas to the fridge and light it the night before we need it, while we're packing. Next morning, we load fridge-foods, and by the time we reach our destination and set up camp, good and cold.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2014
    It takes an absorption type fridge a LONG time to get cold. We turn ours on AT LEAST 24 hours before we plan to put anything in it. That is just the nature of the beast.

    Any type of refrigerator that can use propane to cool is an absorption type.

    How Absorption Refrigeration Works
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    The fridge will get cold in about 1/2 the time running in the gas mode, then the electric mode. So if you can't plug the unit in at home 24-48 hours before departure to pre cool it then use the gas mode. As to the temp adjustment slide not staying on the fins, try lightly squeezing it together more so it stays on the cooling fin.

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