Not super impressed with Dometic fridge controls

[LeBout]

Our last TT did not have a Dometic fridge but our current one does. I must say, I'm not that impressed with the controls. We're getting ready to leave on Friday for a 3000+ mile jaunt so I went out to turn on the fridge (plugged into shore power). The only way I can tell if the fridge is running is to go outside and put my ear up against the backside of the unit so I can hear the compressor.

For starters, the distance between the ON and OFF setting is SO SMALL that I can barely tell which position the button is in. Secondly, when I'm NOT on Gas, the AUTO light does not light up (which I assume it should). Anyone have the same lame controls?

[wrenchbender]

Welcome to the Dometic Fridge Switch Haters Club.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

Before I replaced my cooling unit on my dometic (poor performance) with a new Amish unit, I installed a Dinosour circuit board (came as new spare with trailer) and it has a pot to adjust temp. Then I added a Dinosour adjustable thermister box.....makes it easier.

http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/Dom_adj.htm

[wmoses]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
If you do NOT have a temp control adjustment on upper panel then your temp control is pre-set.
You can make minor adjustments to temp in fridge section by moving the termistor attached via clip to fin.

Sliding the clip up......colder
Sliding clip down........less colder

And that's the biggest flipping joke I ever saw. Thermistor in this day and age! I am not enamored with this fridge, the fan of which is incidentally is not quiet. The Norcold on my hybrid was a smaller 1 door fridge but it was light years better and had a temperature setting on the control panel - 1 to 9.

[dodge_guy]

Glad you got it figured out! it took me 7 years to find out my range hood had a flapper that was locked in the closed position. always thought it was a little loud, but my previous trailer had a similar hood and an exterior flapper that was latched from the outside.

And BTW, when the water heater or furnace stop working don`t start trouble shooting without checking to see if you`re out of propane!

[campsmoke]

It have experienced the above problems - and I have another -we have a dometic 2door fridge/freezer and I notice a plastic slide on one of the vanes in the back of the refrigerator compartment - does anyone know what it controls or if you move it ou or down for a colder temp? thanks for your help.

[sjturbo]

I have never had a problem with my Dometic! I do agree that sometimes I forget how to read it. Of the three units I have had I always have been happy with the Dometic! That is one thing I always look for when shopping for a new rv, Dometic!

[mlts22]

The indentation is a spot to move the refrigerator shelf. The manuals of my rig are worthless, but it was reading rv.net and other places where I learned how to bypass the water heater (fairly simple -- usual three valves), verify the refer is running properly (as in making sure it is within 3 degrees of level), and other basic things.

[wrenchbender]

I spend about 10 min setting the reefer up and hope its working. As long as the check light is off Iam home free.P.S. do not believe the propaganda about all auto. Mine never does switch to another power source unless selected, not now at 8yrs old nor when it was brand new, and I was getting the snow job from the dealer.

[beckid]

Whats the indentation with the arrow pointing at it?

[Gene_Ginny]

aamyotte wrote:
I have the same fridge. Where is the temperature control? The only thing that I can see in my fridge is what looks like a sticker on the inside of the fridge. Is this the control and if so how does it work?

Old-Biscuit wrote:
If you do NOT have a temp control adjustment on upper panel then your temp control is pre-set.
You can make minor adjustments to temp in fridge section by moving the termistor attached via clip to fin.

Sliding the clip up......colder
Sliding clip down........less colder

The white plastic piece on the fin in this picture is what Old-Biscuit mentioned.

[cacoon]

I have the same issues. I much rather have a light go on when there is a issue vs if no lights are on its working fine. My fridge interior light was on but the propane was not working on one occasion. I only can hear it when its clicking to fire up. And I don't like it not having a temperature control.
Cacoon

[Old-Biscuit]

If you do NOT have a temp control adjustment on upper panel then your temp control is pre-set.
You can make minor adjustments to temp in fridge section by moving the termistor attached via clip to fin.

Sliding the clip up......colder
Sliding clip down........less colder

[aamyotte]

I have the same fridge. Where is the temperature control? The only thing that I can see in my fridge is what looks like a sticker on the inside of the fridge. Is this the control and if so how does it work?

[Old-Biscuit]

5 is MAX cold setting

'Auto' light is lite only when in 'auto' position (button in) AND connected to 110V AC power source.

When no 110V AC power the 'auto' light goes out.....swaps to Propane (gas).
'Check light' will come on IF gas does not light off (3 tries)

You can manually go to gas operation by pushing button (it comes out/auto light goes off)
There is no manual button for electric

We leave ours in 'auto' and let the controls select electric or gas operation.
If hooked up to 110V AC power.......fridge is operated on electric
No 110V AC......fridge operates on gas
Swaps back to electric when we have 110V AC power

Simple controls.......no fancy bells and whistles. The more complicated the controls/alarms etc. the more problems.

As for the water heater.....
I prefer the 3 valves vs other set ups because there are NO check valves to fail/clog up
Cold water inlet valve (bottom)
Hot water outlet valve (top)
Bypass valve (connecting cold/hot lines)
Normal operation......
Cold/hot valves OPEN and Bypass valve CLOSED
Bypassing water heater.....
Cold/Hot CLOSED and Bypass valve OPEN