Refrigerator temp

ernie1 wrote:
Old Biscuit: I agree with your statement concerning proper installation is necessary by rv manufacturers to achieve proper cooling. However, I have checked very carefully the installation requirements and clearances according to my owner's installation instruction and have found them to be spot on. I think I recall that Dometic's specs are set at a maximum of 95degrees F ambient which is the temperature at which my refrigerator can not keep up and the internal temps start rising into and above 40 degrees F. By the way, 37 degrees F is not a bad internal temperature for a refrigerator but not at all optimal because something of a lower temperature without freezing the food will give you more lee way in case ambient temps rise. Higher temps allow the bacteria to multiply faster. I think 35 degrees F is better because it won't freeze the food, gives more leeway in case of a rise in ambient and accounts for inaccuracy of thermometers. For what it's worth, my Dometic and those of my two friends who bought their rvs new, have better results with their refridges running on 120ac than they do on propane gas which is odd. This is after careful inspection and some repair by rv shops with careful guidance from Dometic. The results are 40+ degrees F in the 90+ degrees ambient. Totally unacceptable!

I have NEVER had any problems with the 8555 cooling below 40 degrees. Texas Heat from 90 to 105. Lots of my customers have this unit in their B+ motorhomes. If I had a problem, Either a control or Cooling unit was the problem. 120 line voltage and LP pressure is critical for correct cooling. IF you find 120 is "better" than LP, then you have a LP pressure or baffle problem. Also, what is the age of the refer? Has it been run off level enough to degrade performance in hot weather. THIS is the most common cause of periodically running a refer Off level. You think nothing has happened, because it performs, but the TEST is when it gets hot ambient and THEN the refer does NOT perform below 40 degrees. You then blame the lousy refer when it was your fault that it is not performing. If you hot wire the 120 element for 24 hours and it does NOT get below 35 degrees, your CU is toast. Doug