Community Forums

hamguy · 11-26-2011, 03:37 PM

I have a Norcold N822 (IIRC) 2-door refrig. We left the door open and is froze out. Had a 1 1/2 " block of ice in the bottom of the freezer. We defrosted it and fired it back up for a 4 day dry camping trip to the desert. Well the freezer drops to 0 deg but the lowest we can get the refrig is 48 deg.

Ideas please and thanks.

ottffss · 11-26-2011, 03:51 PM

If you have stocked non-pre-cooled stuff in the refer (i.e. stuff that was at room temp) it is going to take days (depending on how much stuff) to chill it off. It's a draw back to absorption refers - low heat capacity.

free-to-roam · 11-26-2011, 05:39 PM

Had a similar problem with Dometic. Fridge temp stayed between 46 and 52. They said it was OK, I fussed. Four refigerators later, we ripped it out, and went with a slide in residential unit. Works perfect...and...it isn't a fire hazard. A real plus!

tvman44 · 11-27-2011, 08:05 AM

40F is the max recommended to keep food cold. I like mine at 32 to 34F as I like my stuff cold.

EMD_Driver · 11-27-2011, 09:07 AM

During the summer, our Dometic RM2852 was having a hard time keeping the fridge temp below 42-44*. I installed a 12v computer cooling fan behind the access panel and directed the airflow straight up. With the fan running, I can maintain a constant 34* in the fridge now!

diepenj · 11-27-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

During the summer, our Dometic RM2852 was having a hard time keeping the fridge temp below 42-44*. I installed a 12v computer cooling fan behind the access panel and directed the airflow straight up. With the fan running, I can maintain a constant 34* in the fridge now!

EMD_DRIVER - I have a Dometic RM 2354 which is smaller than your fridge but have similar cooling problems when the outside air temps get into the 90's. I might try your "trick". Is your fan mounted behind the fridge and blowing air over the coils?

Ray,IN · 11-27-2011, 02:25 PM

The Dometic OEM refrigerator cooling fans are place above the heating coils, in the vent stack. You will find the instructions here: RV manuals

hamguy · 11-27-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy

I have a Norcold N822 (IIRC) 2-door refrig. We left the door open and is froze out. Had a 1 1/2 " block of ice in the bottom of the freezer. We defrosted it and fired it back up for a 4 day dry camping trip to the desert. Well the freezer drops to 0 deg but the lowest we can get the refrig is 48 deg.

Ideas please and thanks.

We got home y'day and unloaded the refrig. This AM the temp inside was 27 °. Definitely overloading with hot 'stuff' Thanks all.

EMD_Driver · 11-28-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diepenj

EMD_DRIVER - I have a Dometic RM 2354 which is smaller than your fridge but have similar cooling problems when the outside air temps get into the 90's. I might try your "trick". Is your fan mounted behind the fridge and blowing air over the coils?

Sorry I don't have any pictures yet.. I tapped into the fridge 12v power supply and used two female spade connectors as a fuse holder. The fan I used, was for mounting in a computer expansion slot. It has the screw slot, where it was mounted in the computer. I straightened it and used a wood screw, to mount it at the top of the opening. It blows straight up and does a wonderful job of keeping the fridge cool!

Here is a picture, of the type of fan I used..

ottffss · 11-28-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy

...Definitely overloading with hot 'stuff'...

And that will do it every time and generates the vast majority of "its not working" complaints (when it IS in fact working perfectly correctly).

Absorption units EASILY gets as cold or colder than residential compressor units, BUT have significantly less ability to "cool as fast" as a compressor unit. Excessive opening and closing the doors on an absorption unit is all it takes to keep them running overtime. Then load a fresh load of room temp supplies, and well, you felt the result - days trying to cool it down.