Freezer at 20, Reefer at 60

[SMarquez]

This a Dometic RM2652. I cleaned the burner, was't much there hardly any rust and nothing came out when I tapped on the flue. Lights up right away and stays lit. I get the same result from propane and 110v. It seems to me that it has been going this way just recently.I What am I missing here? It looks clean behind the access panel, nothing obvious bent, broken, burned or appears to leak. Looked at a bunch of youtube videos and didn't get much except a cooling unit replacement which might be out of my wheelhouse.
Thanks.

[SMarquez]

bhoth wrote:
Hey Old Bisquit, is that control board at the bottom of the fridge on the back or up higher. I also have a Dometic fridge running around 50 degrees.
See below what I have access to on the back of my fridge.


Mod Edit: Remember to set photos to max width of 800 pixels - Thanks.

It's the black box on the left. Remove the screw on top. Twist the left side up and you should be able to pull away. The plug should be in the upper left corner.

I was able to diagnose and repair mine with the info posted by old biscuit. I used an adjustable aftermarket unit called "snip the tip".
It took five minutes for me to do and worked like a charm. Thanks OB!!

[bhoth]

Hey Old Bisquit, is that control board at the bottom of the fridge on the back or up higher. I also have a Dometic fridge running around 50 degrees.
See below what I have access to on the back of my fridge.


Mod Edit: Remember to set photos to max width of 800 pixels - Thanks.

[nayther]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
THANKS for 'coming back' and updating US ..... that is appreciated

I'll second that, so many of these threads just die and we never hear the outcome. Sounds like an easy fix now!

If you can get the specs. for the thermistor and have an ohmeter you can check it.

[Old-Biscuit]

THANKS for 'coming back' and updating US ..... that is appreciated

[SMarquez]

OB hits it out of the park. I DC'ed the thermistor at the panel and got down to 0 in the freezer and 35 in the reefer. New thermistor is en route.
Thank you O sage one.

[lakebum]

Check the seals on your refrigerator door, we had one that the door was not sealing and would not get cold, freezer would work fine.

[a_dog]

Thanks, OB! I had some less than stellar performance from my 8 cu ft Dometic unit in my Stellar toy hauler over our 2-week trip a couple weeks ago, and I had previously set the clip to the "colder" setting. Dug out the manual, but your info has been more enlightening than reading the manual. Now I've got some concrete things to check to make sure I don't have an expensive repair coming up.

[Y-Guy]

Thanks for the details OB!

[SMarquez]

Thank you Old Biscuit. I am level and will go do some inspection and then the tests.

[Old-Biscuit]

Dometic RM2652 has a 'preset factory temp control' so moving the thermistor WILL affect temps by 4*F -- 6*F overall.
Moving thermistor/clip UP results in MORE COOLING (longer cycles)
Moving thermistor/clip DOWN results in LESS COOLING (shorter cycles)

But 20*F in freezer and 60*F in food compartment.........sliding thermistor is NOT going to cure that!


Freezer temps have to get below 10*F before food compartment can beginning cooling down within range

Same whether on electric or propane then need to look at common items:
*How long have you been running it?.....takes 12 hrs min
*Level..rig reasonably level?
*Ventilation....no insulation fallen down causing air flow obstruction (outside compartment)
*Ventilation......bottom/top vent free/clear
*Thermistor.......BAD
*Cooling Unit.....internal clogs/blockages


Thermistor.....
Unplug thermistor leads from control board.....outside compartment/under cover ---P2 (top left corner)
Run fridge w/o thermistor overnight......force cools ---check temps in AM
Freezer S/B 0*F and food compartment 38*F
If not---replace thermistor

Cooling Unit>........
Check area around burner for 'yellowish powder/residue'....cracked tube...cooling unit toast

No yellow powder/residue then:
*unplug ac power cord from outlet
*remove electric element leads from control board
*plug element leads directly into outlet...energizing element

Run with element directly wired overnight.
Check temps in AM.
Freezer S/B 0*F and food compartment 38*F
If not....cooling unit obstructed...bad....replacement needed

[Lwiddis]

I use a small battery operated fan in the fresh food section. Has worked well since 1978.

[Y-Guy]

There should be a white "clip" on one of the fins in the back of the fridge. That is the adjustment. Slide it up or down on the fin to adjust the amount of cold to each side of the box.