Forum Discussion

jmcgilvary's avatar
jmcgilvary
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017

Freezer cold, Fridge hot, especially door separator

2002 Bounder.
Domestic refrigerator 4 door replaced June 2015.
Turned the unit on for an upcoming weekend trip.
Freezer is cooling well, but the refrigerator is not.
Also, the part of the door that separates/seals the area is actually guite warm.
Started on AC, but now trying LP to see if that makes a difference.
Ideas? Thoughts?
  • OK, well, THIS is why I come her;
    I usually start it 36 hours before a trip.
    I forgot this time, and so started to check and see if I needed to carry an ice chest (short sandwich trip, not much food going with us(.
    A watched pot never boils :)
    Took the advice and put a gallon jug of already cold water, a large bottle of chilled white wine and some other stuff in and went to bed
    Noce and cold the AM.
    Thanks all for that advice.
  • ScottG wrote:
    Your "Dometic" fridge probably has a heater to keep moisture from forming on that middle part you say is warm. There is a switch that can be seen when the door is open. Turn it off unless moisture forms.


    IF it has the 'climate control' switch.
    Some models the switch was done away with...always on

    'Low Ambient air temp' switch....that one turns interior light ON so more heat...fridge cycles longer (turn that one OFF above 50*F)


    Not all RV fridges models have 'defrost' modes....fact is majority of models don't

    12 hrs minimum to reach adequate temps.
    Freezer needs to reach 10*F before food section really begins cooling down....lack of 'absorption' in ammonia vapor as freezer is FIRST
  • Your "Dometic" fridge probably has a heater to keep moisture from forming on that middle part you say is warm. There is a switch that can be seen when the door is open. Turn it off unless moisture forms.
  • happy-2 wrote:
    MY Norcold freezer always gets cold first, give it 24hs and watch the difference.I always start My frig 3 Days before our trips.


    it does not take 24 hours for a LPG fridge to get cold
  • MY Norcold freezer always gets cold first, give it 24hs and watch the difference.I always start My frig 3 Days before our trips.
  • jmcgilvary wrote:
    Never heard of defrost mode, but seems that would affect the freezer?
    OK, I asked my wife to check it in the AM (I'll be earning a living)
    Thanks


    LPG fridges go into defrost mode every 48 hours;;NOT the freezer part
    that's how the cooling fins you see get cleared of frozen water
  • check the two switches on freezer one says low ambient temp the other heats the fridge outer shell to stop condensation. they should both be off
    that should stop the heat.
    everything else will cool in time
  • Never heard of defrost mode, but seems that would affect the freezer?
    OK, I asked my wife to check it in the AM (I'll be earning a living)
    Thanks
  • jmcgilvary wrote:
    2002 Bounder.
    Domestic refrigerator 4 door replaced June 2015.
    Turned the unit on for an upcoming weekend trip.
    Freezer is cooling well, but the refrigerator is not.
    Also, the part of the door that separates/seals the area is actually guite warm.
    Started on AC, but now trying LP to see if that makes a difference.
    Ideas? Thoughts?


    sounds like its stuck in defrost mode??(maybe just a idea) certainly not working normal(obviously)
  • Give it 24 hours, sounds like it is working just fine.