Dometic refer issue
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Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Dometic refer issue
I've got a 2007 Weekend Warrior trailer with a Dometic refer/freezer.
The unit was plugged into shore power the entire month of September and most of October and cooled just fine. I took it out Oct. 19th and upon arrival plugged it into shore power, the refer seemed cool. Overnight we lost shore power so I reset that breaker and the refer has not cooled properly since that time.
I've tried shore power at home, gennie and propane, no cooling on the refer or freezer. Went through the Dometic manual and checked all as recommended: Fuses, breaker, 12V connection, no birds nest in the vent, etc.
The 'flue/chimney' where the propane burner and the electric element are mounted gets hot to the touch, still, no cool refer. The floor of the freezer is cool to the touch, almost as cool as the entire fridge should be getting.
What else should I check? Help!!!
The unit was plugged into shore power the entire month of September and most of October and cooled just fine. I took it out Oct. 19th and upon arrival plugged it into shore power, the refer seemed cool. Overnight we lost shore power so I reset that breaker and the refer has not cooled properly since that time.
I've tried shore power at home, gennie and propane, no cooling on the refer or freezer. Went through the Dometic manual and checked all as recommended: Fuses, breaker, 12V connection, no birds nest in the vent, etc.
The 'flue/chimney' where the propane burner and the electric element are mounted gets hot to the touch, still, no cool refer. The floor of the freezer is cool to the touch, almost as cool as the entire fridge should be getting.
What else should I check? Help!!!
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Not sure how yours is set up - does it vent/circulate cold air thru the refrig section from the freezer section? If so, is there an ice buildup blocking the circulation? Otherwise, did the coolant section possibly spring a leak?
Thread Starter
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Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
I've had it shut off for a week hoping that any issue like that would clear up. Just checked it again and the flue is very hot to the touch, floor of the freezer is 'fridge cool' but not the walls or top, the fridge is not cool.
There are aluminum cooling fins at the top/rear of the refer with a drip pan below. That pan is bone dry as are the fins.
Just saw a sticker inside the door stating, "The flue should be cleaned....". That's great! Too bad that's not included in the owners manual. Instructions would be helpful! I cannot see how that could be accessed w/o removing the refer and I'm not going to do that. I'm sure I would cause more trouble anything.
There are aluminum cooling fins at the top/rear of the refer with a drip pan below. That pan is bone dry as are the fins.
Just saw a sticker inside the door stating, "The flue should be cleaned....". That's great! Too bad that's not included in the owners manual. Instructions would be helpful! I cannot see how that could be accessed w/o removing the refer and I'm not going to do that. I'm sure I would cause more trouble anything.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 0
From: Fallon, NV
I had one that had a small auto-type glass fuse on the PC board accessed from the outside cover that was not listed in the troubleshooting guide, have you checked there? 2007 should still be under warranty, I'd take it back and have the shop check it.
Thread Starter
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Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Thanks racerchick, I did check those two Buss fuses.
I've probably done about all that an owner with limited electrical experience and diagnostic experience can do. I was just hoping for an idea like yours that helped with something I overlooked.
I'll end up taking it in for warranty service but I'm going camping on Thursday! My wife is gonna kick my..... behind.
I've probably done about all that an owner with limited electrical experience and diagnostic experience can do. I was just hoping for an idea like yours that helped with something I overlooked.
I'll end up taking it in for warranty service but I'm going camping on Thursday! My wife is gonna kick my..... behind.
Thread Starter
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Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
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Cargo Master
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From: Living under the bosses d
Try calling Domitec customer support? Have a multimeter handy and basic tools, They may be able to help you.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Do you hear a gurgling noise, like a percolater at the near vicinity of where the burner is at?
You would have to go outside and pull the panel to observe it.
It sounds to me like vapor is trapped somewhere in the pipes. It can't rise to the top of the evap coils for some reason
ONE THING is very important in those units - they have to be absolutely level in order to work right. If it's not level, it can't work.
Try these ideas, and see if you can find anything as a cause.
FOOTNOTE: When calling dometic, they will ask not only the model number, but also the serial number of the unit, so note them down. This info can be found in the external compartment on a sticker or plate that is in there.
One other thing - if they ask for the voltage, and you just tell them TWELVE VOLTS - they won't believe you. Check it, and read it to a tenth or hundredth of a volt. Be prepared with that info from JUMP, and they will be a lot more inclined to help you.
You would have to go outside and pull the panel to observe it.
It sounds to me like vapor is trapped somewhere in the pipes. It can't rise to the top of the evap coils for some reason
ONE THING is very important in those units - they have to be absolutely level in order to work right. If it's not level, it can't work.
Try these ideas, and see if you can find anything as a cause.
FOOTNOTE: When calling dometic, they will ask not only the model number, but also the serial number of the unit, so note them down. This info can be found in the external compartment on a sticker or plate that is in there.
One other thing - if they ask for the voltage, and you just tell them TWELVE VOLTS - they won't believe you. Check it, and read it to a tenth or hundredth of a volt. Be prepared with that info from JUMP, and they will be a lot more inclined to help you.
Last edited by Greywolf; Nov 23, 2007 at 12:48 PM.
Thread Starter
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Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
I wanted to follow up on this in case someone else has a similar issue.
Greywolf was very close, the cooling coils were blocked so the ammonia could not circulate. I'm guessing it was a piece of welding slag as this happened once before but cleared up during a trip. The trailer bouncing down the highway shook it loose last time and cleared the blockage. The early November trip apparently shook 'whatever' loose again and it lodged in the lower part of the cooling system.
According to the technician this is not an unusual problem with this type of unit.
An FYI to all Dometic owners, the reefer comes with paperwork and a maintenance checklist. This list must be checked off and signed around one and two years of ownership by a Dometic Authorized Service Center in order to maintain your 3-year warranty.
Thanks again to all for your input!
Greywolf was very close, the cooling coils were blocked so the ammonia could not circulate. I'm guessing it was a piece of welding slag as this happened once before but cleared up during a trip. The trailer bouncing down the highway shook it loose last time and cleared the blockage. The early November trip apparently shook 'whatever' loose again and it lodged in the lower part of the cooling system.
According to the technician this is not an unusual problem with this type of unit.
An FYI to all Dometic owners, the reefer comes with paperwork and a maintenance checklist. This list must be checked off and signed around one and two years of ownership by a Dometic Authorized Service Center in order to maintain your 3-year warranty.
Thanks again to all for your input!
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Greywolf
I blew it on the serial and model etc... location though - if you open the door of the fridge inside the coach, you'll find it on the hinge side of the door frame on a big sticker.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
On the reefer itself - the numbers are there, and they track serial numbers when issues come up - at the home factory.
Microwaves don't figure into it, they come from japan half the time. Dometic is a whole 'nuther story I'm tellin' ya.
Dometic, NORCOLD, A&E, Carefree of Colorado, ATWOOD - all of the RV specific high-end makers track every single unit.
A microwave is an off the shelf unit, as are speaker systems and theater surrounds, unless they are one of the name brands above.
Panasonic or sony could give a flying flip less about an RV, they sell high volume, and you got what you got buddy....
I'd bet a dime to a dollar that the original unit was robbed out by the dealer to fix another unit on the lot!
Wanna bet me?
You can run that RV back to the dealer, show them it, and ask:
"This says THIS is what it is supposed to be. WHERE IS IT???"
- And put them on the spot in a heartbeat. Frankly I say DO IT!!!!
If it IS IN FACT a better unit - the paperwork supports you, SO GO AFTER THEM! Make 'em deliver in full....
Microwaves don't figure into it, they come from japan half the time. Dometic is a whole 'nuther story I'm tellin' ya.
Dometic, NORCOLD, A&E, Carefree of Colorado, ATWOOD - all of the RV specific high-end makers track every single unit.
A microwave is an off the shelf unit, as are speaker systems and theater surrounds, unless they are one of the name brands above.
Panasonic or sony could give a flying flip less about an RV, they sell high volume, and you got what you got buddy....
I'd bet a dime to a dollar that the original unit was robbed out by the dealer to fix another unit on the lot!
Wanna bet me?
You can run that RV back to the dealer, show them it, and ask:
"This says THIS is what it is supposed to be. WHERE IS IT???"
- And put them on the spot in a heartbeat. Frankly I say DO IT!!!!
If it IS IN FACT a better unit - the paperwork supports you, SO GO AFTER THEM! Make 'em deliver in full....
Last edited by Greywolf; Dec 14, 2007 at 08:25 PM.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
My point exactly - you can't always trust the label in the closet.........
As to takin it back, no thanks - for 2 reasons -
1) Unit installed was an upgrade from the one listed.
2) It's over 100 miles of up and down, with some 3 mile 10% grades to take it back.
I'll stick with what I have.....
As to takin it back, no thanks - for 2 reasons -
1) Unit installed was an upgrade from the one listed.
2) It's over 100 miles of up and down, with some 3 mile 10% grades to take it back.
I'll stick with what I have.....
Last edited by alchymist; Dec 14, 2007 at 08:26 PM.