Samsung RF197

[paz]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

...Here is another document that Samsung RF197 and RF217 owners may like to download and keep on your PC for future reference. It is 11 MB in size so I couldn't post it here.

It contains a significant amount of troubleshooting steps and techniques you may need sometime in the future once your warranty runs out.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Richard, thanks for posting. Now that I have replaced the de-icing clip, I hope there are no more problems; but it's nice to have all the info just in case.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

I believe Brusceisia has given you the answer to removing the ice maker.

Here is another document that Samsung RF197 and RF217 owners may like to download and keep on your PC for future reference. It is 11 MB in size so I couldn't post it here.

It contains a significant amount of troubleshooting steps and techniques you may need sometime in the future once your warranty runs out.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Thank you, Richard!!

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by paz

Richard, thanks for posting. Now that I have replaced the de-icing clip, I hope there are no more problems; but it's nice to have all the info just in case.

Paul,

Other than a catastrophic failure of some component the only "Hiccup" to be aware of is that the Samsung Control Board can loose it's memory for whatever reason. Whether it has anything to do with running this unit on a MSW inverter or not I don't know. However, it has happened to me once this past year. And I know it has happened to one other member.

BUT this Hiccup is an easy fix, just sever power to the fridge/control board for 5-10 minutes and it will re-boot. The temps will come right back to whatever you had previously set them at.

My Hiccup involved the freezer temp, the other member had a temp problem with his fridge compartment.

Safe travels,

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Bob&AnnaMari]

OK. This is for anyone who wants to change the drip clip in the freezer section when there is an ice maker involved.

The manuals are not accurate. To remove the ice maker you first remove the two retention screws in the front of the unit. Next pull the front of the unit down about 1/2 inch until the tabs that had the screws clear the indentation in the top of the freezer. Gently pull the ice maker forward until the back bottom drops. Slowly lower the whole unit until you can disconnect the electrical connection in the back. Set the ice maker aside. (Do not worry about the water fitting that feeds water to the ice maker. It is not attached to the ice maker in any way.)

To replace, just reverse the steps above. One point of caution, be sure to hold the back of the ice maker up against the roof of the freezer when you push it back into position. A "pillar" in the back of the ice maker needs to "lock" on a fitting coming down from the top of the freezer. If you miss this part, your ice maker will probably not function correctly.

To remove the cover for access to the heating coil, just remove the two screws (one on each side) that hold the plastic cover to the back. Pull up on the bottom to unhook retainer clips there and pull the whole unit forward. (The manual is correct on this step.)

Replacing the drain clip is a bit more difficult for the freezer. The heater coil is closer to the drain hole and further forward which makes access tricky. I used long nosed pliers to get over the top and behind the heating coil and grab the "tail" of the existing clip to twist it back around the coil until it was in an upright position. Once upright, I used a screw driver to create a gap where the rivet holds the looped piece together. Once I had a gap developed, I used diagonal cutters to cut the rivet and remove the existing clip. Putting the larger clip in place is exactly the same as the procedure for the refrigerator section. (I did bend the new clip tail slightly to more closely match the contour between the heating coil and the drain tube. But, whether you want to do this is up to you.)

I hope this helps anyone who wants to add these new clips to their Samsung RF197.

[1ciderdog]

Bob -- Living the Dream
Thank you for the information. I'll be doing this in a couple of days and all the information provided (by you and others) is greatly appreciated.

[paz]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

Paul,

Other than a catastrophic failure of some component the only "Hiccup" to be aware of is that the Samsung Control Board can loose it's memory for whatever reason. Whether it has anything to do with running this unit on a MSW inverter or not I don't know. However, it has happened to me once this past year. And I know it has happened to one other member.

BUT this Hiccup is an easy fix, just sever power to the fridge/control board for 5-10 minutes and it will re-boot. The temps will come right back to whatever you had previously set them at.

My Hiccup involved the freezer temp, the other member had a temp problem with his fridge compartment.

Safe travels,

Dr4Film ----- Richard

So far, so good with our Samsung, but I'll file that info away in case. Thanks.

[demoon]

Originally Posted by demoon

Just had to show this picture. Tech is coming on Monday to install new defrost unit and cover/fan. He asked if we could defrost if ice had built up. Note that the only thing actually working seems to be the drain clip. Not sure how that happened because it gets its heat from the defrost coil, which is obviously not working.
What you see took three days to accumulate. This is also what happened back when the drain froze with original clip.
Repairs are now at just over $500.
So folks - make sure the right clip is on your 197 and best of luck.

Just an update on our 217. Technician was here yesterday and determined that they control board has failed, causing the defrost system not to function. Parts ordered from Samsung, which may arrive by Friday. Glad the camper is in the driveway and that the Dometic is working.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by demoon

Glad the camper is in the driveway and that the Dometic is working.

Are we to assume that your RF217 Samsung is in your S&B house and not in your RV?

How old is it and why do you think the control board took a dump?

Did you sustain any electrical abnormalities at the house, etc?

Do you have a surge protector for the fridge?

Sorry for so many questions. Just trying to get a better understanding of your specific situation versus others.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[demoon]

Are we to assume that your RF217 Samsung is in your S&B house and not in your RV?

Yes, the unit is in our S & B.

How old is it and why do you think the control board took a dump?

The unit is almost two years old and neither I nor the technician knows why it failed. They actually thought it was the defrost unit at first, but testing discovered the board failure. (All done while tech was on phone with Samsung).

Did you sustain any electrical abnormalities at the house, etc?
Do you have a surge protector for the fridge?

No electrical issues and there is a surge protector.

The first problem with this fridge happened when it was about a year old. At that time, the defrost drain froze, causing the cooling unit to freeze up.
(picture of that in post 43).
After thawing and restarting several times over a few months, we bought and installed the larger clip.
All went well until this recent issue.

I have a litany of e-mail with Samsung Customer Service denying any design issues.
As I have said - make sure your 197's have that new clip - and best of luck to all. Just trying to be helpful and perhaps fending off a problem.

[Dr4Film]

Neil,

Thanks for the follow-up and answers.

Basically no resolution as to why other than $hit happens.

Hopefully your problems with the fridge are behind you with many years of trouble-free use in your future.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[WesinRockies]

[QUOTE=Dr4Film;2186482]Photos of before and after.

Dr4Film ----- Richard[/QU
Good Morning Richard,
My Samsung came in last night, My son and I removed door and all, we took off the panel that is in the freezer compartment. Is this where that clip is installed? I see one in there, is there another behind panel in fridge compartment?

Thanks

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by WesinRockies

Good Morning Richard,

My Samsung came in last night, My son and I removed door and all, we took off the panel that is in the freezer compartment. Is this where that clip is installed? I see one in there, is there another behind panel in fridge compartment?

Thanks

There are two clips, one in the freezer which you have found and one in the fridge compartment.

My service technician replaced both just to make sure while he was there but it was the fridge one that caused the most problems.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[WesinRockies]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

There are two clips, one in the freezer which you have found and one in the fridge compartment.



My service technician replaced both just to make sure while he was there but it was the fridge one that caused the most problems.



Dr4Film ----- Richard

Thanks! Same part for both?


Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by WesinRockies

Thanks! Same part for both?

Yup....they are identical.

Dr4Film ----- Richard