Dometic DM2652 Thermistor replacement

[Slyfox]

We have a DM2652 frig in a slideout on a Rockwood 8329, 2014 Signature. Continued poor cooling in frig,freezer is always fine. Have replaced single fan below fins on rear of frig and blocked off air gap above frig so air flow must go out exterior top vent. Added 2 larger fans below cooling fins on back and tide them to the thermostat wires on the fins. Both fans now run when that thermo. closes. Removed plastic Thermistor clip in frig and clipped directly to fin with clothes pin. Frig temp at mid day is still 45 to48. Outside air is 90 plus in sun. Slide is closed. First look in the AM temp might be 43 to 44 as the lowest. Really such poor performance. Has anyone tried the adjustable Articca replacement kit for the existing Thermistor? At least this gives you an adjustmentwent to the reostat to turn colder than just relying on the position of the current Thermistor. Ours has always been at top of last fin on the right. Come on folks, with today's techs, some say the US went to the moon, there should a fix to help many folks with this problem. Thanks for your time....

[Bama Rambler]

How old is this fridge?

Can you post pics of the fans and blocking that you added?

Those adjustable thermistors work, but before you replace the thermistor, try removing it from the fin completely and let it run a day and see if it makes any difference.

I'd also suggest that you bypass the thermostat (At least temporarily) that the fans run on and let them run all the time and see if that makes a difference.

[David 01]

Posted numerous times on here. Replace the thermistor...or better known as the wire thingy in the fridge....with a product called snip the tip. SNIPTHETIP.COM. Yes it works.

[Slyfox]

Bama Rambler , I did move the thirmistor and it got warmer, also jumped the wires on the fin thermostat so fans ran all the time still not any consistent improvement in cooling. The unit is a 2014.will try to figure out how to do pics. Used swim noodle ,cut to size to fill gap above fins that blocks off the inside top of frig.

[Slyfox]

Bama Rambler, sorry about the auto spell error

[Slyfox]

Here are some pics of fans, noodle and blocking to direct fan air over fins. Hope all this will help, l have ordered the snip the tip Articca thermostat and will install it. Hope all this helps. Tired of using portable 12v frig/ freezer when we have atop of the line trailer. Thanks all, slyfox

[pt1655]

David 01 has good info but the actual web site is SNIP-THE-TIP.COM. I am looking into it right now and will post results later if I do the project. Good luck all!

[Bama Rambler]

Since moving the thermistor made some difference (even if it was the wrong direction) replacing it with the adjustable unit may help.

As far as the insulation, it may not help much, but I think I'd use something a little more heat resistant than a pool noodle.

I think the closer you can get the back of the fridge to fit the channel in the RV the better these things cool.

[Bama Rambler]

It's hard to tell on those things, but doesn't look like anything is wrong.

It'd be interesting to know how close the cooling unit parts are to the channel from top to bottom.

[tuxedo]

One possible contributing factor especially at that high ambient):
Look up the installation guide for that ref. FR totally ignored (and later paid dealer to correct). Your noodle (good) is one area covered. Check guide for other areas.

[Slyfox]

Installed the Articca snip the tip yesterday, 25 hours ago while frig was warm,just like instructions say. Today's temps show no improvement at all. Early AM temp is same as it was before all the moods performed,44deg. The 2 larger fans,additional baffles to close off air spaces and the Articca snip the tip have made no real improvement. As of 1:45 PM turned the adjustment on the Articca. way down to see if any change is noticed. I really feel, since the freezer is just fine, this design of a frig in a slide out that does not vent out the roof will never get any better. Even our Rockwood dealer said that that design has always causes cooling concerns. Have tried everything that has been suggested by dealer,web forums and techs. Guess I will continue rouse my portable 12v frig/ freezer for all the needed sensitive frig items, too bad when you pay a bundle for this beautiful trailer. Thanks all

[5picker]

Slyfox,

I'm going to suggest you try one more thing.
Take those two fans you installed below the fins and install them in the baffle board by the upper vent, blowing outward.

My experience is... the fans when mounted in the location you have them, causes the air to pack in the upper part of the box and fights itself trying to get out the vent cover.

My fridge had three fans from the factory (where yours are currently mounted) and when they came on, hardly any air came out the upper vent.

I added one fan to my baffle in the right-most position (see attached modified photo of yours) with the option to add a second to the left of it if needed. I also added one fan horizontally by the lower vent cover to pull air in the bottom vent so the upper fan could blow it out. I wired them to the existing 12v on/off relay (with a switch so they could be turned off) but I simply leave them run anytime the fridge is on. I used good ball bearing fans and you never hear them. The three noisy/cheap factory fans never even come on anymore.

It works so well, I never added the second fan to the upper baffle.

With this set-up, it should exchange enough air that you should be able to have a piece of printer paper 'stick' to the lower vent (on the outside) when the fans are on.

No way would it exchange that much air previously.

Hope this helps. I don't have a photo of mine as it's been parked next to my garage with the slide out and I can't access it to get a photo. If you need me to, I will put the slide in and snap a couple pics.

Also get yourself one of the inner fridge fans like in the second photo to mount on the inside fins. Really helps. Buy them *HERE*

[Slyfox]

5picker. Thanks, am at wits end, will put a fan in the baffle and one below. I have 2 extra. Will also order the fan set for the inside frig fins. Really thank you for tour interest.

[Slyfox]

5picker. Did install 2 additional fans blowing out in the baffle behind the vent. Now all 4 fans blow when the fin thermo says to blow. This A M frig temp was still 44deg. Same as prior to ALL the added mods. Fans, snip the tip, added outside baffles, nothing has helped. Will install the fan set to the cooling fins in frig when I get it. It will blow around the 44 Dec. air. Really poor design from the manufacturer. Will depend on my portable 12v/120v frig frerzet for sensitive stuff. To bad when you pay as much for a trailer ad I did for my house years ago. Thanks all, disgusted in Florida.

[5picker]

Sorry to hear Slyfox. I hope something starts working better.
I would still suggest you wire those two upper vent fans to run anytime the fridge is on.
That air needs to be moving ALL the time, not just when the fins get too hot.

My refrigerator is in one of my slides and I can consistently get 33-34º temps in the fridge and 0-5º in the freezer with the mods I've done so there is hope.

[Slyfox]

5picker, have had the fans run all the time with no difference. Used a laser temp gage on the fins in frig. 36 to 39. Installed the fan set to fins in frig. No help. Put an 8in by 22in pan of ice in bottom of frig. 4 hrs later,34. Removed pan,30 minutes later, 45. Sent my whole story to Forest Rivet service to see what happens. Thanks for your help and concern...

[5picker]

Slyfox,

You have sure done your due diligence trying to get that thing working.
I wish you the best of luck finding resolve.

[Paul GA]

I worked with a Dometic tech with mine... up until everything we tried pointed to defective unit... then he didn't wanna talk... that's when the "50 degrees is acceptable" line started. Replaced mine with real fridge.