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Old 05-25-2018, 10:42 PM   #1
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Freezer cold fridge not

We have a 2006 flagstaff 831qbss. We got to campground today around d 5. Plugged up power and everything. After 6 hours freezer food and cold. Fridge is still wArm. Are there any controls anywhere
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:01 PM   #2
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On our frig that means that the unit isn't level enough. Our refrigerator is very sensitive and needs to be very level.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:09 PM   #3
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Double check the thermistor. UP is colder, DOWN is warmer. It likes to drop down while on the road. Also make sure the thermistor itself is actually UP inside the plastic holder.

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Old 05-25-2018, 11:49 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Beachgirl69 View Post
We have a 2006 flagstaff 831qbss. We got to campground today around d 5. Plugged up power and everything. After 6 hours freezer food and cold. Fridge is still wArm. Are there any controls anywhere
6 hours isn't enough time for the fridge to get cold.
The freezer always gets colder first. The fridge takes longer because it a bigger compartment.

Most of us let the fridge get cold overnight before leaving.

Your fridge doesn't work like a residential fridge, it works on absorption.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:57 PM   #5
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6 hours isn't enough time for the fridge to get cold.
The freezer always gets colder first. The fridge takes longer because it a bigger compartment.

Most of us let the fridge get cold overnight before leaving.

Your fridge doesn't work like a residential fridge, it works on absorption.
Mine is usually cold in 4 hrs; at least cold enough to know it's working.
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Old 05-26-2018, 12:05 AM   #6
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Mine is usually cold in 4 hrs; at least cold enough to know it's working.
For my fridge, 6 hours isn't enough for the fridge to be cold. Cool, yes.
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Old 05-26-2018, 12:27 PM   #7
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As mentioned above, the fridge takes longer to get up to speed. Our Dometic displays 60 degrees when turned on and takes time to get to the final 42 degrees when it hits our preset. If you have a display, it should start coming down after 5-6 hours and will continue down for more that 12 hours.
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Old 05-26-2018, 12:43 PM   #8
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Mine usually takes about 24 hours to get cold. It also helps if you don't put in drinks that are not cold yet. After 24 ours my readout is usually 34-37 degrees.
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Old 05-26-2018, 01:40 PM   #9
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Ref

This may sound strange but I had the same problem with a 5 th wheel. I checked .every thing and finally discovered the switch that turned the ref lite bulb off was not working and kept the bulb on all the time which resulted in ref staying warmer. .the freezer was fine . Good luck.
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Old 05-26-2018, 01:58 PM   #10
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As a new RVer, I learned a lot from this question and answers. However, it made me think of another question. Do you travel with the refrig on? I have a 19' TT. On our very first trip, we turned the frig on on the start of our two hour trip to the campsite. Should we have done that?

Thanks.

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Old 05-26-2018, 02:30 PM   #11
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NC_RVer, As said above your frig can be turned on the night before you head out. We turn ours on several days before we leave, our frig takes a good day to get to the correct temperature. Know some will say theirs only takes a few hours, but that is just how ours works. We always travel with it on. Happy RVing
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Old 05-26-2018, 03:49 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by weatherl View Post
This may sound strange but I had the same problem with a 5 th wheel. I checked .every thing and finally discovered the switch that turned the ref lite bulb off was not working and kept the bulb on all the time which resulted in ref staying warmer. .the freezer was fine . Good luck.
FYI
Some info to increase your "professional aloofness" (LOL):
Some units have a Low Ambient Switch that actually bypasses the door switch and turns the inside light on. The heat of the light puts an increased "load" on the fridge. This switch is to be turned on when ambient temps are below 50 deg F in order to keep the cooling unit cycling. If you didn't do this, the unit would't run enough and the fridge would warm up inside.

See page 14, item X, for the switch and see page 18, paragraph 5.12, for a description.
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File Type: pdf Dometic Refrigerator Diagnostic Service Manual.pdf (2.42 MB, 28 views)
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Old 05-26-2018, 04:38 PM   #13
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We always stick a bag of ice in ours for the first day, seems to help, I’ve heard of folks that freeze a jug of water and stick it in the fridge, when it melts you have water for coffee
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Old 05-26-2018, 04:50 PM   #14
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NC RVer,
Most RVers travel with the fridge on propane.

Is what you ran it on for the 2hr trip?
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Old 05-26-2018, 05:20 PM   #15
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I am thinking installing a 12v DC fan in my fridge after reading this:
5 Tips For RV Refrigerator Maintenance
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
Double check the thermistor. UP is colder, DOWN is warmer. It likes to drop down while on the road. Also make sure the thermistor itself is actually UP inside the plastic holder.

Attachment 173362
In your picture - those fins - that what freezes up to be solid ice while we winter in Florida. At least 2x we have to take everything out and I then "blow dry" on those FINS!! After we camp this week, it is going back to the Dealer and our maintenance guy is going to keep 5th wheel for 3 weeks (have other issues) and deal with that fridge!!
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:13 AM   #17
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Bikendan,

I believe I ran the frig on electric. We turned it on as we started our trip, drove directly to the campsite and then plugged in the TT.

BTW, I visited Camano Island, Washington a few decades ago. Beautiful place. The son of very close friends of mine owns Camano Island Coffee Roasters.

John
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:16 AM   #18
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It also makes a difference how hot it is outside. If it's very hot outside it will take a long time for the fridge to cool. We always turn ours on the day before we leave. I have never traveled with mine on but we have never ventured too far from home yet. Sounds like it's ok to travel with it on. I love this forum. It has given me such great advice and I have learned a lot. Thanks always to everyone for their contributions here.
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:22 AM   #19
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In your picture - those fins - that what freezes up to be solid ice while we winter in Florida. At least 2x we have to take everything out and I then "blow dry" on those FINS!! After we camp this week, it is going back to the Dealer and our maintenance guy is going to keep 5th wheel for 3 weeks (have other issues) and deal with that fridge!!
You're spoiled with your self defrost ref at home. I summer in MA for 4 months. Have to defrost at least twice during that time. Same for my little 4 cf electric ref on the porch with the beer.
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:31 AM   #20
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Turn on Fridge

I always turn on the fridge at least the day or two days before leaving on trip.
The fridge will cool faster on gas and when I leave home for the trip I leave it on gas until we get to camp ground.

I always set if for auto when starting out. But on gas cooling two days before trip.
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