Dometic fridge generating heat while off

There are two switchs on some of 'em.
one is moisture control (I suspect this was your culprit) it is a 12 volt heater that is in the "Door jam" area.. The other is the LAT switch which keeps the light on even if the door is closed.

NOTE; Residential fridges have the heaters too. Only on switch.

Thanks for that info Doug. The part about the ambient temp switch brings memories back from years ago when staying in an RV on a construction job and temps were staying down below zero for weeks at a time. Someone figured out if we put a 40 watt light bulb behind the fridge under the coils it would work. Hoar frost would form on the door knob on the inside of the RV at about 20 below when cooking.

Unplugging the refer did nothing. That Heat Strip is 12 volts. Some models have 2 switches. Doug

The "Climate Control" switch controls a 12 volt heat tape behind the metal frame around the refrigerator and freezer doors. Much like a cold glass of water sweating on a humid day, the cold frame around the doors can cause water condensation to form and accumulate and even drip off the front of the refrigerator in high humidity conditions. Since this switch controls a source of heat that the refrigerator has to dissipate, it should only be used if condensation on the frame is noted. Use of this switch does cause the refrigerator to work harder, especially if just started, and can cause a delay in coming to temperature. It is also an electrical draw on the battery system when “dry camping”.

The "Low Ambient Temp" switch is found on certain refrigerators models. Its function is to create a heat load within the refrigerator compartment thereby causing routine cycling of the cooling unit when outside temperatures drop below freezing and the unit would otherwise cease to cycle. When this switch is turned on, it will keep the refrigerator interior light on. Many people mistakenly think the door light switch is broken because the interior light won't turn off (or are having to replace bulbs frequently). The purpose of keeping the interior light on is to create a source of heat to force the cooling unit to cycle on when outside temperatures drop below freezing and help regulate food compartment temperature. This switch should only be turned on when outside temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, as use of this switch during normal temperatures will cause unnecessarily heating of the interior of the food compartment. Some newer models are equipped with an automatic thermostat for this function and do not have this switch.

Johno02 wrote:
The idea is to prevent ice forming on the door gaskets during periods of high humidity. Turn it OFF, its a waste of power.

Thanks Noel, We do have high humidity at times here in Florida, so at least now I know what to do if I get condensation.

ksg5000 wrote:
Does your model comes with "climate control" switch (which basically turns on heat tape around the door)? Not sure why that would operate when the fridge is off but worth a look - if it's "on" you might try turning that off and see if that eliminates the heat.

You're the man, Kevin. I went out last night and turned that switch off. This morning it is cool to the touch. Thanks for your help.

The idea is to prevent ice forming on the door gaskets during periods of high humidity. Turn it OFF, its a waste of power.

By golly, your right Kevin, it does have that "Climate control" switch above the freezer door. I never knew what that does but I have noticed that it is in the "ON" position. Tomorrow I will plug the fridge back in and turn that switch off. Thanks for the heads up.

Does your model comes with "climate control" switch (which basically turns on heat tape around the door)? Not sure why that would operate when the fridge is off but worth a look - if it's "on" you might try turning that off and see if that eliminates the heat.