Forum Discussion

lap527's avatar
lap527
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017

Refrigerator fixed after 3 long years

What a struggle. I will give a little bit of background. We bought our camplite 10.0 TC back in 2013 and always had problems with fridge not working when traveling. Of course I have posted, complained about it, received suggestions and one guy basically said get over it:R. UGH, gotta love social media. LOL! We knew the fridge worked like it was supposed to because it worked great at a campground or in the dealer's parking lot. It would warm up about 3 degrees and hour, fine if you are only camping an hour away. DH always said it was an air flow problem. We even traveled to Benton, Ky to Ford's RV Refrigeration and he said nothing wrong with it. He also said ventilation. Last week I had a brainstorm, I ordered 2 new vents for the fridge, both side vents. I didn't want to mess up our paint scheme on camper if this didn't work. I went to RV store and bought a range vent, as you can see in photos. First test still warmed up:M. So added second vent and put aluminum across vent leaving the top and bottom open for the air, still warmed up:M. We knew the flame was still burning because it was hot at the bottom but the chimmey was cool. Then back to RV store bought 2 more rv range vents and did the bottom like the top. Yesterday, SUCCESS! Drove around for 1.5 hrs and the temp actually went down 3 degrees. We put temp on high and of course it was on propane. I have been in contact with Djg here on the forum and he had the same problem and finally figured it out too. He has been there with encouragement and discussing the refrigerator for the last year. I have never met him but thanks Dave. I am trying to think ahead, last night told DH that due to the heat here in Fl in the summer we may need to adjust some things. My idea is to make a door on the bottom vent using rivets, piano hinge and aluminum if there is not enough air getting in during the hot months here in Fl.and while parked. Hopefully, it will be okay. I really like the camplite due to no wood and all aluminium and actually had thoughts of getting rid of it but so glad we hung in there with it. DH does pretty good with my ideas and lets me vent, (pun intented). Sorry for the long post but what a journey it has been with this refrigerator. As Djg said don't give up and now we are happy campers!:B







  • I saw this post and I had a similar issue with my Lance 861 refrigerator needing to be reset. I removed the TOP ROOF vent and lo and behold...there was an insulation blanket out of place and blocking the air flow to the top side vent! I re secured it with chicken wire to hold it in place and end of problem! Air flow is critical. I like your side vent. You did a fine job of it.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Bottom and Upper side wall vents with fridge N OT in a slide out.....no wonder you had temp issues.

    Why did RV MFG. not install a roof vent as is NORMAL installation when NOT in a slide out :H


    As for vent mods...
    I would venture a guess that temp rises while in transit were a result of:
    1) upper side wall vent vs roof vent
    2) air flow along the side of TC was being disrupted


    An 'airflow baffle kit' is available......
    Burner shield and louver baffles
    KIT

    We don't have a slide out to put fridge in.:W. I guess livin lite figured it out because dave has a roof vent. His is a 2015.
  • Our feelings was that the turbulence when traveling was messing up the air flow. We tried to take the turbulence out of equation and not block any vents, that was reason behind leaving the aluimun open at top and bottom. It is a fine line with the air flow. The bottom of fridge would be warm but top was cold so we knew the ammonia was cooling off before it could boil to produce heat.
    We also got the baffle kit from Dometic but it made no difference at all. We use the burner shield but louvers were worthless.
  • Bottom and Upper side wall vents with fridge N OT in a slide out.....no wonder you had temp issues.

    Why did RV MFG. not install a roof vent as is NORMAL installation when NOT in a slide out :H


    As for vent mods...
    I would venture a guess that temp rises while in transit were a result of:
    1) upper side wall vent vs roof vent
    2) air flow along the side of TC was being disrupted


    An 'airflow baffle kit' is available......
    Burner shield and louver baffles
    KIT
  • I know on my 5er, with Refreg in slide, it has 2 side vents like this.
    but if you pull the top vent off, you will see there is a piece of wood behind vent that covers 2/3 of the hole, leaving 1/3 of the top of opening open.

    restricting this top opening actually causes more of a chimney affect and ends up moving more air than just a full open top vent.
  • I missed what was usually the roof vent was the upper vent. I learned something Today! :)
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    jimh425 wrote:
    It looks like you have two vents. That seems out of the ordinary. Glad you got it fixed!


    2 vents is normal but unless the fridge is in a slide, the top one is usually on the roof. An upper wall vent usually requires a fan to move the air.

    The added baffles probably created a Venturi that pulls air though.
  • It looks like you have two vents. That seems out of the ordinary. Glad you got it fixed!