otrfun wrote:
CJW8 wrote:
It isn't a real world test of the unit until you cool the camper down to livable temperatures. Start your Air Conditioners while the unit is at 85 so it has a chance to catch up and set your thermostats at a reasonable temperature. Then check your fridge/freezer temps after a few hours.
Agree, CJW8, frig temps should improve with lower temps inside the TT. However, IMO DHart's frig should be cooling down to at least 40 degrees, even with 100 degree temps inside and outside his TT.
We were camping in the NW Phoenix area last week with temps around 111. The day before departure we pre-cooled the frig with the same ambient temps as the OP (85-100 deg). On the morning of departure, the frig was at 32 degrees (empty frig). Temps at our campsite (and inside the TT) were approaching 110 degrees when we arrived 4 hours later around 1pm. The frig (on propane, full of pre-cooled food) was at 36 degrees. Frig temps did drop slightly to 34 degrees after the rooftop a/c had been running 3-4 hours non-stop (eventually dropping the TT's inside temps to 79 degrees).
FWIW, we were also getting similar excessive temps as the OP (10 freezer, 45-55 frig) when we first purchased our TT new. Read the Dometic install instructions and noticed way too much space between the rear coils and the rear baffle. Reduced the space (<1") and installed two, 3-speed computer fans in the upper vent--noticed an immediate 10-15 degree reduction in frig temps.
DHart, awesome pic of your new rig, BTW!
I agree with you too. It's just my troubleshooting technique after 40 years in process control instrumentation. Do the easiest thing first, note the results then move on to the next thing. Usually do one thing at a time. Pretty simple to cool the rig down and note the results.
FWIW, I have a brand new Raptor in my driveway I have not even used yet. It's fridge has been on electric for a month with AC off and temps are acceptable. No temp gauge but it had one beer and it tested to be ice cold and ice trays were frozen. My fridge is a 12 CF Norcold, quad door. The last couple of days I have been keeping it 73 inside the camper and added a temp gauge to the fridge. Inside temps are 0F and 30F. A little cold for the fridge section but I was running it on "9" which is the highest setting.
