Strange problem with Dometic RM2812 fridge
Our kid’s family took our old RV on a trip and told me that the refrigerator worked fine as they were driving, but when they hooked up to 120 VAC eventually only the freezer section seemed to work. The refrigerator section didn't feel cold at all. When they returned I started testing.
The refrigerator is a 14 year old Dometic RM 2812, which itself was a replacement for the original fridge. Using propane and starting from 85 F outside ambient after 3 hours the freezer section was below freezing and the fridge was at 44 F and still dropping slowly. Since this seemed normal I stopped the test and went home.
The next day using 120 VAC the freezer section got below freezing, but the fridge section would not go below 68 F.
According to the Dometic Service Tips manual the electric heater element for the RM 2812 is rated at 325 W +/- 10%. A clamp-on ammeter shows it is drawing 2.5 A which is about 300 W which is within spec. By feel you can tell the electric heater is getting hot.
I ordered a replacement circuit board (Dinosaur Micro P-711 on sale at PPL Motorhomes) and replaced the board. The new board did not cure the problem, but at least we now have the added feature of adjustable temperature.
If there was some sort of blockage in the pipes between the freezer and the fridge it seems like that would also affect propane operation.
Of course we can use the fridge on propane only, but we would like for it to work on electricity too.
Any suggestions? Thanks, Rick
The refrigerator is a 14 year old Dometic RM 2812, which itself was a replacement for the original fridge. Using propane and starting from 85 F outside ambient after 3 hours the freezer section was below freezing and the fridge was at 44 F and still dropping slowly. Since this seemed normal I stopped the test and went home.
The next day using 120 VAC the freezer section got below freezing, but the fridge section would not go below 68 F.
According to the Dometic Service Tips manual the electric heater element for the RM 2812 is rated at 325 W +/- 10%. A clamp-on ammeter shows it is drawing 2.5 A which is about 300 W which is within spec. By feel you can tell the electric heater is getting hot.
I ordered a replacement circuit board (Dinosaur Micro P-711 on sale at PPL Motorhomes) and replaced the board. The new board did not cure the problem, but at least we now have the added feature of adjustable temperature.
If there was some sort of blockage in the pipes between the freezer and the fridge it seems like that would also affect propane operation.
Of course we can use the fridge on propane only, but we would like for it to work on electricity too.
Any suggestions? Thanks, Rick
