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Old 10-06-2019, 05:23 PM   #1
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Dometic refrigerator not cooling

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I have a large RV fridge with a freezer on top. The freezer is working, but the fridge is not cooling. Any suggestions?
Edited to add the model number: Dometic model #RM1350MIMBSX
Not sure if this is a factor, but this unit was in storage for a year before we bought it.

Thanks
Jim
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Old 10-06-2019, 05:29 PM   #2
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Make sure that the temperature sensor bulb inside of the fridge doesn't have something against it like cheese or meat. That happened to us.
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Old 10-06-2019, 05:59 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by jkarstens46 View Post
Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I have a large RV fridge with a freezer on top. The freezer is working, but the fridge is not cooling. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Jim
First, you need to post the fridge model number.
Second, if it's a 2-way fridge, how long have you waited for it to cool? It generally takes 6-8 hours for a RV fridge to get cold.
Third, are you running it on propane or electric?
If it's a RV absorption fridge, the freezer always gets colder first.
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Old 10-06-2019, 06:41 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
First, you need to post the fridge model number.
Second, if it's a 2-way fridge, how long have you waited for it to cool? It generally takes 6-8 hours for a RV fridge to get cold.
Third, are you running it on propane or electric?
If it's a RV absorption fridge, the freezer always gets colder first.
Thanks for this information. You brought up some good points. I am planning on double checking these things tomorrow.
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Old 10-06-2019, 08:11 PM   #5
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Also, is the refrigerator in a slide?

Many that are, need better/additional cooling fan(s) to aid in heat removal.

There are a ton of threads on adding fans.

Also make sure the center door flapper closes far enough for the right door to seal properly against it.

On ours, it wasn't swinging all the way closed and tons of cool air was escaping between the doors.
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Old 10-06-2019, 09:20 PM   #6
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And put something in it. Empty refregrators don't feel cold
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Old 10-06-2019, 09:27 PM   #7
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Thanks for this information. You brought up some good points. I am planning on double checking these things tomorrow.
You didn't answer the question about how long you waited, before you checked the fridge temperature.
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Old 10-07-2019, 06:22 AM   #8
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You didn't answer the question about how long you waited, before you checked the fridge temperature.
I turned it on, and only left it on about 4 hours. Still didn't feel cold, but I am going to try it again today. I probably didn't leave it on long enough.
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Old 10-07-2019, 06:23 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
Also, is the refrigerator in a slide?

Many that are, need better/additional cooling fan(s) to aid in heat removal.

There are a ton of threads on adding fans.

Also make sure the center door flapper closes far enough for the right door to seal properly against it.

On ours, it wasn't swinging all the way closed and tons of cool air was escaping between the doors.
It isn't in a slide, but you are right about the door. It is a double door, and we do have to be careful when closing it.
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Old 10-07-2019, 07:36 AM   #10
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The cooling coils in the freezer and fridge are in series. If the freezer is working then the fridge is as well. As mentioned check the temp sensor on the fridge coils and put a bottle of water in it. Check the temp of the water after 8-10 hrs. bulk of the heat shot term absorbing capacity in an RV fridge comes from the contents. An empty fridge warms up quickly when the door is opened.
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Old 10-07-2019, 08:24 AM   #11
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The cooling coils in the freezer and fridge are in series. If the freezer is working then the fridge is as well. As mentioned check the temp sensor on the fridge coils and put a bottle of water in it. Check the temp of the water after 8-10 hrs. bulk of the heat shot term absorbing capacity in an RV fridge comes from the contents. An empty fridge warms up quickly when the door is opened.
Thanks. I will try these tips. I already turned it on this morning. I was thinking the same thing, that if the freezer is working so is the fridge. This one is just a bit different than our last one, so I wasn't sure.
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Old 10-07-2019, 10:14 AM   #12
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The last two way fridge I had was replaced. The freezer worked properly, the refrigerator wouldn’t cool below 60 degrees. All of the above tips were followed. Dometic approved replacement under warranty. Freezer working does not mean refrigerator is working.
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Old 10-07-2019, 01:13 PM   #13
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I turned it on, and only left it on about 4 hours. Still didn't feel cold, but I am going to try it again today. I probably didn't leave it on long enough.
Leave it on overnight and then let us know how it is.
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Old 10-07-2019, 02:04 PM   #14
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Leave it on overnight and then let us know how it is.
THIS!^^^^^^^^
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Old 10-07-2019, 02:08 PM   #15
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Its going to be the thermistor. Cheap and easy to replace. Google it.
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Old 10-07-2019, 03:51 PM   #16
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Update: After leaving the refrigerator on for over 9 hours, I checked it and it is working! I think it just needed more time. However, I appreciate all of the suggestions and tips and will keep these in mind.
Thanks everyone!
Jim
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Old 10-07-2019, 06:02 PM   #17
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Just something for future reference - we found that if the TT was not pretty close to level, it took longer to cool down. I'm talking about being on the edge of what they recommend vs within a degree of being level.
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Old 10-17-2019, 03:44 PM   #18
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Went to a good seminar at the California RV show on absorbtion refrigerators. They could not stress enough about the unit being level and to put a recirculating fan inside at the bottom of the unit when cooling down.
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Old 10-18-2019, 06:12 AM   #19
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Went to a good seminar at the California RV show on absorbtion refrigerators. They could not stress enough about the unit being level and to put a recirculating fan inside at the bottom of the unit when cooling down.
I am definitely planning on installing a fan inside.

Jim
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