Temperature control in a Dometic fridge/freezer - I just learned this

[Midwestman]

We bought our DSDP two months ago and have been camping twice fairly locally. Each time the refrigerator was way too warm (the freezer was fine). I searched the forums and found a couple on the subject but it seemed that a lot of answers just jumped to "install fans" either inside or outside to help it cool. That didn't satisfy me as I figured Dometic designed my fridge to be properly cold in most circumstances. I called Dometic customer service and waited for a long time on hold, even though my position in the queue was "First". Finally a lady answered and I told her what was going on. She asked me if there was a plastic clip on one of the fins with a wire running to it (the clip holds a thermistor - a device that changes resistance with temperature), I said yes. She asked where it was on the fin,. top, bottom, middle, etc. I said it was at the bottom. She said the higher you place the clip on the fin, the colder the refrigerator section will be. The fridge was 52 degrees where the clip was. I moved it all the way to the top, the fridge cooled to 42 degrees with the front panel control on "4". I changed the control to "5" and the following morning the fridge was at 37 I never knew that there was this adjustment that could be made - and it's nowhere in the manual for the unit. Thought I'd pass it along to those who may not know it.

[Outbound]

Thanks for the info,

[Old-Biscuit]

Actually........
Moving the clip just made the thermistor make better contact with FIN


See the thermistor is the temp sensor for the thermostat.
On Models with an adjustable temp setting (1-5) the settings are pre-set for temp range using the thermistor as the temp sensor


On MODELS with 'Auto Temp Control' (NO adjustments) moving the thermistor UP/DOWN will affect overall temp in fridge by 6*F-8*F
Those Models will have a 'temp decal' on sidewall next to FINS






















Moving the thermistor is NOT going to make a 15*F+ difference in temp.
Thermistor making better contact with FIN will cause the thermostat to allow longer heating cycles so more cooling occurs

[Domo]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Actually........
Moving the clip just made the thermistor make better contact with FIN


See the thermistor is the temp sensor for the thermostat.
On Models with an adjustable temp setting (1-5) the settings are pre-set for temp range using the thermistor as the temp sensor


On MODELS with 'Auto Temp Control' (NO adjustments) moving the thermistor UP/DOWN will affect overall temp in fridge by 6*F-8*F
Those Models will have a 'temp decal' on sidewall next to FINS






















Moving the thermistor is NOT going to make a 15*F+ difference in temp.
Thermistor making better contact with FIN will cause the thermostat to allow longer heating cycles so more cooling occurs

So, you're saying moving the thermistor will change the temperature in the fridge - that's what the OP said.

Seems like you were contradicting yourself believing the OP had simply made a better physical attachment to the fin.

But - I guess I can be easily confused.

[ThePowells]

Thanks for the info. I don't have a Dometic, wouldn't have a Dometic, but I have a friend who just bought a new horsie trailer w/ living quarters and I will probably be her "tech support".

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Domo

So, you're saying moving the thermistor will change the temperature in the fridge - that's what the OP said.

Seems like you were contradicting yourself believing the OP had simply made a better physical attachment to the fin.

But - I guess I can be easily confused.

Moving the thermistor UP/DOWN will affect temp in those fridge models that use 'Auto Temp Control'......thermostat uses thermistor as the temp sensor for control


In a fridge that has 'adjustable temp settings' (Dometic 1-5/Norcold 1-9) moving the thermistor will have little if any affect on temp control
Thermostat is pre-set at factory for temperature range and calibrated for that temp setting based on OEM position of thermistor.


2 different modes of 'control'
In one the thermistor is control
In other one the thermistor is just part of the control loop ---used for temp sensing