Dometic 1402 Fridge

[Our Time]

Having problems with a Dometic 1402 refrigerator. Unit will not cool below 22 in the freezer and 44 in the fridge. Runs continuously on propane and never shuts off. On electric we see about a 4 degree temp rise. Here is what they have done so far:
1. Removed and rebuilt cooling unit
2. Disconnected temp sensors to allow it to run full bore.
3. Disconnected defrost heaters.
4. Added a fan in the refrigerator side.
5. Filled the unit to capacity with frozen and chilled bottles of water. It all cooled off in 2 days.
We started off with no cooling, thus the rebuilt cooling unit.
Any ideas besides replacing with a residential fridge?

[GaryKD]

Hi Our Time,
My assumption is the unit is level. Gut feel says the rebuilt cooling unit is bad.

[Its Paid For]

1. Make sure unit is level. The coils in the back will lose efficiency if off level very much. The more off level the worse efficiency. The coils zig zag in back and if flow of ammonia is trapped at one side and barely flowing to the other, it can do as you describe.

If level is not the problem, if in very cold weather might need to add 100 watt incandescent bulb below ammonia tank. If very hot weather, might want to add a fan.

After that might want to replace. I just replaced when mine froze and I did not turn off. I learned alot trying to figure it out lol

[Its Paid For]

Oh, and my first rebuilt replacement was also bad, but I had a warranty. It had pinhole ammonia leak.

[Our Time]

Turned out to be the rebuilt cooling unit needed to be run direct for a few days. Apparently it got shook up during shipment and the ammonia got scattered about the unit. This model has lots of runs for the freezer/ice maker, so I guess it makes sense. Working good for now.

[JC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Our Time Turned out to be the rebuilt cooling unit needed to be run direct for a few days. Apparently it got shook up during shipment and the ammonia got scattered about the unit. This model has lots of runs for the freezer/ice maker, so I guess it makes sense. Working good for now.

Keep in mind that when operating "correctly", these units should, in 12-24 hrs, be around 0 degrees in the freezer and mid 30's in the box. I've always believed that most are notoriously inadequate without xtra fans inside and help to help cool. We added (2) 4 inch computer case fans to our unit last year and while in Vegas after the national rally, our freezer was at -5 and the box was at 34 on a setting of 5. Not bad with an outside temp of 112, (it was a dry heat).

[Its Paid For]

Actually you are suppossed to let it sit off for about 12 hours after you verify it works. This lets all of the amonia settle to the bottle, then start it at hottest time of day if in cold weather and above freezing. If below freezing have to heat bottle for several hours with 100 watt incandescent bulb.

[gpearston]

Hmmm - did not know that you should pre-warm the bottle on a new unit in cold weather. Good advice as I am about to finish the install of my new cooling unit on my Dometic 3801 and it is 25 degrees outside.

Thanks - I would not have been too happy had the fridge not worked.