Community Forums

pelicanpen1 · 07-01-2018, 08:03 AM

Hello all,
We have a dometic 1402 side by side in an 2006 Alfa See Ya Gold.

For some reason it's not staying cold enough. When traveling the temp rises in fridge to around 50°. Have plenty of LP. Been hooked up to 50 amp now for about 24 hrs and temp is now around 30°, that temp will rise as it heats up outside to around 40°. Food in freezer is semi frozen and have frost built up around ice maker area (we don't use the ice maker but do store ice in bin).

Never had this happen before!

Any suggestions as to why this is happening and how to fix it?

Thanks!

Skip426 · 07-01-2018, 08:31 AM

Check around the base of the cooling unit chimney for any sign of a yellowish powder , you could have the very beginning of a cooling unit leak .
Also check for any restrictions in the venting , I had similar issues , when I installed a " universal " vent cap ; the new cap had to be raised 3/4" to provide proper air flow.

If no sign of a leak you can try a thermister adjustment.

Jrhea · 07-01-2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelicanpen1

Hello all,
We have a dometic 1402 side by side in an 2006 Alfa See Ya Gold.

For some reason it's not staying cold enough. When traveling the temp rises in fridge to around 50°. Have plenty of LP. Been hooked up to 50 amp now for about 24 hrs and temp is now around 30°, that temp will rise as it heats up outside to around 40°. Food in freezer is semi frozen and have frost built up around ice maker area (we don't use the ice maker but do store ice in bin).

Never had this happen before!

Any suggestions as to why this is happening and how to fix it?

Thanks!

I have a Dometic RM1350 and have been experiencing the same in very hot/Humid weather. Mine is in a slide and I put two high powered DC fans at the top compartment sitting over the fins to exhaust heat out. Made quite a bit of difference and I can now keep temps when sitting at campsite. I bought these -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mine works a bit better on LP than electric, so if I am having a problem on a particularly hot/humid day, I will switch over if I need to LP. Hopefully this helps you out!

While driving, that is a different story. No matter what I try I can't keep the fridge cool while driving. I have tried electric (running gen while driving) and LP and both don't work effectively. After 6 hours of driving it will be 50 degrees. I have resorted to using ice packs or dry ice when I am going to travel long distances in a day and purchased a Dometic CFX fridge I use for sensitive stuff. I would love to know if someone has a solve for that..

Mine is still under warranty and since it will reach temp sitting, Dometic and dealer say nothing is wrong.

John

pelicanpen1 · 07-07-2018, 08:42 AM

John...
Ordered that fan, but having hard time getting it to run.

How did you hook yours up?
Did it have 4 wires? Blue, yellow, green and black?
Assuming black is ground, what wires went where?

Thanks!

Skip426 · 07-07-2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrhea

I have a Dometic RM1350 and have been experiencing the same in very hot/Humid weather. Mine is in a slide and I put two high powered DC fans at the top compartment sitting over the fins to exhaust heat out.
John

RV fridge venting in a slide can be a big issue , it's important to check that the factory install is exactly as the fridge manufacturer has specified .
Many times the back clearances are way over the fridge specs and too much air can go up behind the cooling coils , without going through the coils.
If you don't have the installation guide for your model of fridge , visit the manufactures web site for a free pdf download.

YC1 · 07-07-2018, 11:11 AM

Cracked drain tubes will cause the issue.

If the thing is mounted in a slide, remove the top vent and use a camera to look down inside if you can't see in there. There may be a fan or two up there not working due to the fans being dead or a thermocouple going bad.

If you find the vent tubes cracked locate the screws holding the fridge in place and slide it out a few inches and you can replace the cheap vent hoses with some decent clear hose from any hardware store.

Vent hoses will surprise you how warm they let the refer get.

Old-Biscuit · 07-07-2018, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Check around the base of the cooling unit chimney for any sign of a yellowish powder , you could have the very beginning of a cooling unit leak .
Also check for any restrictions in the venting , I had similar issues , when I installed a " universal " vent cap ; the new cap had to be raised 3/4" to provide proper air flow.

If no sign of a leak you can try a thermister adjustment.

Yellowish residue..cooling unit leak....NO COOLING

Moving thermistor on fin is only for fridges with 'Automatic Thermostat Control'----ie: fridges that do not have adjustable temp settings on upper display panel

OPs fridge has NUMEROUS controls

Old-Biscuit · 07-07-2018, 11:37 AM

OP......

Are the freezer and food compartment fans working......if either do not run fridge temps will fluctuate

Starting on pg 18 is a 'service mode' test procedures.....you can 'test' the various functions/controls of your fridge
Go thru it step by step and verify fridge is fully operative

http://www.alpinecoachassociation.co...e%20manual.pdf