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buck454 · 06-30-2014, 06:44 PM

Like many I still have a Dometic (two door) and a year left on Ext ins policy. I make a trip to New Mexico most every year last week in June where i dry camp. For second year I notice refrig temp jumping in the low fifties and freezer just below freezing AND for second year I turn the cooling scale up from 3 to 4 then 5. For the second year refrig compartment gets worse hitting 60. This year I had plenty of coolers just in case this happens. Strange thing is while I have things secure in coolers I got the idea that perhaps it was the setting because before I left home with setting/scale at three all seemed to work well SO I place setting back to three and dern if temp in refrig did not fall below 40 and freezer down to 20....what's the deal.....? Just when I thought it was broke and I might get something new from policy, it works again. Stayed fine on the way home with setting on three.

Gocoffeer · 07-01-2014, 01:03 PM

Buck: The ammonia frig type units have an issue cooling themselves. If you want them to do a best fit job in desert like conditions you have to force air across the vent fins up top on the roof. RV Refrigerator Cooling Fan | ModMyRV
I have included this link to help you think in the direction of cooling efficiency for a Dometic type frig. While I have not taken my rig into the heat of the desert....I have observed the issues you are having and had to not only blow off the coils (compressed air) but I put on a fan kit.

buck454 · 07-01-2014, 05:21 PM

I have the solar vent fan but have never thought it did much good. It was this year that I discovered turning down to middle setting seemed to make it cool better. I would try gas and electric. I at first thought winds were blowing gas flame, but truth is, the wind was most always from direction not directly hitting refrig side. Although cool nights in the fifties, setting at three still seemed to be the fix. I was surprised today when I blowed out compartment that it was not very dusty. Just one of those Dometic mysteries I guess.

Sure would like a residential unit but that one trip to NMex in June is the only time I find the need so great. Ext policy will run out next year so a month after expiration, Dometic will probably die. ha. buck