Fridge runs warm when temperature climbs into high 80s

This is a standard Dometic RV absorption fridge mounted in a slide out which if not properly vented will deliver less than ideal cooling, particularly as outdoor temps rise. We do have internal fans in our motorhome's Norcold and in our TT's Dometic that I hardwired in, both do a great job moving air in the fridge and preventing frost build-up. Our absorption fridges have worked well for us but on a couple of rigs I had to improve flow behind fridge, how RV manufacturer installs them, especially when in a slide out, is critical to fridge reaching maximum performance. Might need to go back to dealer to determine if unit is properly installed.

When the outside air temps increase YOU have to turn up the temp setting to '4' or '5'

No compressor side......but that absorption fridge in a slide the airflow is CRTICAL to removing the heat

And NO dead air spaces...top of fridge should be closed off...no open space/cavity and the air should be directed out the upper vent
As stated above...proper installation of fridge is necessary for good draft across the backside of fridge ...in thru bottom vent and out thru top vent
Clearances are important...should be no more then 1" between slide out wall and backside of fridge
Any larger clearance and 'baffles' should have been installed to properly direct the air flow

Fan is critical to helping more air when in a slide
FANS...more then one is even better



DOMETIC is NOT publishing/providing much in the way of Manuals for their new 'DM' line......use to be lots of info available!!

When a refer is in a slide room it has 2 outside doors upper and lower. Due to the fact that it is in a slide room the Dometic installed fan WILL NOT properly exhaust the hot air over the top condensor out that upper door. The correct fix is to install an additional fan just inside the upper door to help blow out the lower fans air. You will be amazed at the increased cooling performance. Depending on the OEM, they sometimes authorize the part and labor. Dometic will not authorize as the refer will function correctly as designed and is not responsible for install errors by the OEM's. Doug

Now you know why so many people are going to compressor refrigerators !

Ok, one of the problems is the height of the Chimmney, if you have it installed in the slide out then there are TWO grills in the side for the fridge Top and Bottom. The "Works" are in the bottom.

Since it's a 2021 Fridge I DOUBT the heat exchanger (which should be just below the top grill) is crudded up but.. Well... Possible

My RV-GIRL (she is a professional on-site RV repair type) Does NOT recommend a fan to help force more air up through the exchanger But I had a fan on mine for 15 years and yes... there was some build up. but not all that much, when we pulled the fridge

Had I remained in the RV for another 15 I'd have blown the crud out from time to time

If you look at a photo of the back side of the Fridge the heat exchanger is a bunch of fins at the top Like a Radiator, which is exactly what it is.

Yeah, I find my slide fridge gets warm and has a hard time recovering when it gets hot outside.. I'll also run it on gas when it gets hot as electric just does not seem to be able to keep up.

I did put these fans in the upper area of the trailer before it's first trip! I tested it in my side yard and it just did not get very cool and that upper vent area was really, really hot.

After putting the fans in, I can feel the heat being blown out when they are running compared to not running.

Fridge runs in low 40's when hot out and opening fridge from time to time, but still seems to be fine for food preservation.

I'll switch to electric when temps cool down and overnight, but back on gas during the day.

Seems to work for me. Mitch

MitchF150 wrote:
Yeah,
I did put these fans in the upper area of the trailer before it's first trip!

Sorry, can't tell from the pictures if those fans are orientated blowing OUT the upper vent or .......

OP here. Thanks everyone for the good info. I will definitely be adding to the condenser side fans before looking into inside evaporator fans. I have not even had the chance to look into the upper outside compartment yet. I'll be doing that soon.

One thing I just noticed is that the thermistor on the fins can be moved up/down just like on fridges that do not have temperature control settings. Is moving the thermistor up on the fin something I should try? Moving the thermistor is not mentioned in the Dometic manual.

thanks

wolfe10 wrote:

MitchF150 wrote:
Yeah,
I did put these fans in the upper area of the trailer before it's first trip!

Sorry, can't tell from the pictures if those fans are orientated blowing OUT the upper vent or .......

They blow out towards the vent cover. Moves a lot of hot air and really does make a difference in the cooling of the fridge.

I don't and have never used the in fridge fans, so I can't comment on that part..

Mitch

From hard earned experience...
I used to store only ketchup, pickles, mustard, syrup, and the like in the door. What I felt were sensitive foods got first tier choice to the rear. Food safety and temperature.