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sign man · 08-20-2012, 05:40 PM

Have a 2 door Dometic Fridge/Freezer in my Forest River 23' trailer. Works fine on propane but gets too cold when switched to AC. Stuff in fridge actually freezes up and Mama's not happy. You all know what that means. Suspect something on the circuit board ain't detectin' or something. Any ideas?

harv12 · 08-21-2012, 10:11 AM

I certainly understand the predicament with "Mama"! I found just opposite in our rig, when it's on propane it just doesn't stay as cold as when were operating on the generator or a shore line. I never change the "cold" setting; always on the coldest.

Please keep us all posted on what you might find and thanks for sharing!

MSHappyCampers · 08-21-2012, 11:09 AM

My problem is a little different, but may be related. I replaced the cooling unit on my Norcold 1200LRIM a few months ago and it works great on AC but not on propane. I found that I am getting low pressure on the propane burner which no doubt is causing the problem. Here's the way it was explained to me.
The fridge is looking for a certain amount of heat on the coils, whether from AC heating elements or propane burner. It does not know or care where the heat is coming from. If the AC heaters are producing a lot more heat than the propane burner, it will be colder on AC, or vice versa. If you set the temp while operating on propane and the AC heaters are producing more heat, then the fridge will be colder on AC.
I'm not a RV tech but that makes sense to me. Just for what it's worth........

sign man · 08-21-2012, 11:34 AM

Thanks for your input. Where do you set the temperature? I haven't seen a way to do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

My problem is a little different, but may be related. I replaced the cooling unit on my Norcold 1200LRIM a few months ago and it works great on AC but not on propane. I found that I am getting low pressure on the propane burner which no doubt is causing the problem. Here's the way it was explained to me.
The fridge is looking for a certain amount of heat on the coils, whether from AC heating elements or propane burner. It does not know or care where the heat is coming from. If the AC heaters are producing a lot more heat than the propane burner, it will be colder on AC, or vice versa. If you set the temp while operating on propane and the AC heaters are producing more heat, then the fridge will be colder on AC.
I'm not a RV tech but that makes sense to me. Just for what it's worth........

MSHappyCampers · 08-21-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sign man

Thanks for your input. Where do you set the temperature? I haven't seen a way to do it.

I have a 5th wheel with the Dometic fridge and there is not way to set the temp on the front. Inside you will see a metal clip with a wire attached that is pushed over one of the aluminum fins on the back wall at the top of the refrigerator section. You set the temp by sliding that clip up or down the fin. I can't remember which way you slide it to increase or decrease the temp. Maybe someone else can jump in and tell you that.
From what you say, that won't solve your problem. The fridge should cool the same on propane or AC Good luck & God bless!

Mr_D · 08-21-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

My problem is a little different, but may be related. I replaced the cooling unit on my Norcold 1200LRIM a few months ago and it works great on AC but not on propane. I found that I am getting low pressure on the propane burner which no doubt is causing the problem. Here's the way it was explained to me.
The fridge is looking for a certain amount of heat on the coils, whether from AC heating elements or propane burner. It does not know or care where the heat is coming from. If the AC heaters are producing a lot more heat than the propane burner, it will be colder on AC, or vice versa. If you set the temp while operating on propane and the AC heaters are producing more heat, then the fridge will be colder on AC.
I'm not a RV tech but that makes sense to me. Just for what it's worth........

Gas pressure must really have been low as it only requires 11" of water or about 0.5 psi.

MSHappyCampers · 08-21-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Gas pressure must really have been low as it only requires 11" of water or about 0.5 psi.

Yeah, I think I may have a bad propane regulator. The pressure is low on the cooktop also. My wife has complained about it but I didn't think too much about it until the issue came up with the fridge. I guess the RV techs have some kind of pressure tester?