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RedRam's avatar
RedRam
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015

Dometic Refrig ?

The refrigerator wouldn't work on electricity so I checked all the fuses and circuit breakers.None of them are marked for refrigerator so I went outside to where it plugs in and plugged in a drop light to that outlet.That plug is dead so I looked at the refrigerator and it says 120V 2.7 Amps 12V and LP Propane.I took a extension cord and plugged it into the refrigerator and it worked.I only let it stay on long enough for the lights on the front panel to go out.
My question is,can I run it without damaging anything like the electronics such as the circuit board or components ?.I need to pull a cover out from underneath the belly so I can trace that wire later tonight.
Thanks
  • Look for a tripped gfci outlet, often in the bathroom. The refrigerator outlet is downstream from that.

    And, it won' t hurt anything to plug in to a drop cord.
  • Yes, you should be able to run it from and extension cord. Since the refer comes up, that's what I would do until you find the problem with the outlet.

    Some suggestions - Check your other AC outlets - see if any others are out. This may give you a clue. Make sure your GFI outlet isn't popped. If the refer is on a slide, look for the point where the AC power cable flexes going to the refrig. Also - reset the breakers by turning them off, then back on even if they don't show popped. Last but not least - those outlets are rather cheap. Sometimes it's the outlets themselves.

    Good luck.
  • I'm betting there's a GFCI involved and it has either gone bad or the 120v element in your fridge has developed a ground fault and is tripping it. If it is tripping the GFCI you will need to replace the heater (even though it works fine) because it's a safety issue.
    You could also try plugging your extension cord into another GFCI somewhere in your house to see if it trip that one too. That would be further proof the heater is bad.
  • Thanks guys for the fast replys and I really appreciate them.It was the GFI outlet and I guess I would of pulled my hair out before I thought about looking at it.My wife finally said "I noticed the night lite wasn't working".
    The refer is on a fixed wall as the rest of the kitchen so that eliminated that problem.We are trying to get the camper ready after a long absence due to some health problems.We won't be going far but a little ways is a lot better than nothing.
    Thanks again
  • ScottG wrote:
    I'm betting there's a GFCI involved and it has either gone bad or the 120v element in your fridge has developed a ground fault and is tripping it. If it is tripping the GFCI you will need to replace the heater (even though it works fine) because it's a safety issue.
    You could also try plugging your extension cord into another GFCI somewhere in your house to see if it trip that one too. That would be further proof the heater is bad.

    The wife said she noticed the night lite not working several days ago while she out in the camper.There is no telling how long it has been tripped but it was only yesterday she turned on the refrigerator.She just went out and checked and said it's still working after it's been on for over an hour so I think everything is ok.
    .
  • Our refrigerator electrical outlet is on the same circuit with the outside outlet I use for the margarita machine and other appliances when cooking (and drinking ) outdoors. Once in awhile something will trip the GFCI breaker. It's a sad thing to hear the margarita machine winding down when it's not supposed to.
  • Just a update to let folks know the frig has been plugged in and is still and making ice cubes.Many thanks to the ones that guided me to the GFI before I found it the hard way.So many times people ask for help but never post when they find there problem so I thought I would post.I should of known but my mind wouldn't focus,guess i'm getting old since i've been camping long enough.Just havn't been active in a few years but trying to get back into it.

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