Forum Discussion

goldwinghauler's avatar
goldwinghauler
Explorer
Sep 06, 2018

Dometic Refrigerator gets too cold

I have an 8 cf Dometic DM2852. Instead of the usual gets too hot inside, mine runs about 28-29 degrees, causing items to freeze. I contacted Dometic (useless phone call). They told me to take it in for service. I’m in between camping trips so I took it in yesterday. The tech checked the thermistor and its value on the cold test was 400 ohms less than the minimum. They told me to go home and run the fridge to test it again for 24 hours. I did that and called the Service guy today at 11:30. He said it has to be a bad control board. Thanks to Dometic for assigning another tech person to the case. With another wasted day. Open the fridge for 30 minutes, move the thermistor to the bottom of the right fin and call back in 24 hours. That’s tomorrow. We leave on Saturday for two weeks of camping including a Truck Camper Rally in Gettysburg, with a busted fridge. Quite sure there will be another BS solution tomorrow and no time to get parts ordered and installed by Friday night.

Help, Help, Help what should I do or try?
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Sep 06, 2018
    Slide the Thermister to the bottom of the outboard cooling fin or cycle the fridge manually, 12 on, 12 off.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Sep 06, 2018
    Control Boards NEVER cause this problem. ALL the control board does is respond to the Temp Thermister to turn the refer heat on and Off. So, OHM readings on a Thermister are useless. BAD Thermisters will ohm correctly. Just replace the Thermister, That is your problem. Doug
  • filrupmark's avatar
    filrupmark
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    Check that the thermistor is plugged in properly. If it unplugged refer will run constantly.
  • goldwinghauler's avatar
    goldwinghauler
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    Doug so I should just replace the thermistor on my own even though under warranty?

    Also saw a replacement for the thermistor with a adjustable one by a company called Accurra or something like that. Is that better?
  • 2edgesword's avatar
    2edgesword
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    The ohm reading of a thermistor will vary with temperature (increase or decrease depending on whether it's an NTC or PTC thermistor) and the system is set-up so that when the thermistor resistance reaches a certain value the frig will either cycle on or off. Again, not knowing the details I'm not sure of the which is which but I would think moving the thermistor from top to bottom will prolong the time the frig runs if it takes longer for the bottom of the fin to get cold (which I believe is the case). Moving it from bottom to top will shorten the time the frig will run.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    Yes, replace the thermister. It's easy and inexpensive...and then get on down the road on your planned trip. Forget about the warranty for the small stuff. Do it yourself...

    I have done lots and lots of repairs on our trailers over the years myself, while they were under warranty.... It's a lot easier than hauling it into the dealer and letting it sit for ever and getting the slow roll - drag on and on and probably a mediocre repair....often damaging something else...

    anyway, have a good trip.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    Warranty fix could take 6 weeks to six months. Fix yourself may cost you 6 bucks but fixed immediately. What's more important, time or money?
  • goldwinghauler's avatar
    goldwinghauler
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    Where would be the best place to try and get one for reasonable cost and by the weekend?

    I could always pick one up on my trip to Gettysburg from Tennessee.
  • goldwinghauler's avatar
    goldwinghauler
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    I just found an article where the guy suggests moving the thermistor up an far right to make it warmer. So I am trying that overnight to see what happens. I’ll report back in the morning.

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