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Old 07-17-2018, 07:09 PM   #1
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Refrigerator questions

Hi all,

We are not new to camping, but until last fall it was tents and pop-ups. Now have a FR Flagstaff MicroLite 19RBS and we absolutely love it. Is it perfect? No, but treats us well.

My biggest peave is the refridgerator, Dometic, model RM2551.

Is just doesn't get cold enough, or stay cold.

We ran it on Electric overnight, and it was 37 in the morning, not bad. We drove/towed 6 hours today and left it to run, as we drove, on propane. It was in the 40s when we got to the campground.

As an aside the trailer interior was 85.

The pic is current. out is the fridge temp, in is the trailer, with a/c on.

I took the thermoster out of the little plastic carrier and let it hang more in the air, hoping it would sense warmer air rather than the colder fin it was attached to. No luck.

Is this common?

Are there replacement thermosters that are set to colder temps?

Also, I note that the back of the fridge, where the unit heats, (what ever this part is called) the metal shield is stamped 120, 240 and 12v. (See pic)

Does this mean my fridge can be rigged to run on 12 volts? How do I accomplish that?

It seems to only run on elec when 120volt is present.

I have a month left on my warranty, but at this point, after a bad experience with my dealer, Camping World, I want to fix this myself.

Any general fridge tips or suggestions?

I enjoy the forums and know you all will have something to add! Thanks in advance.
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Old 07-18-2018, 06:36 AM   #2
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You model of frig is a two way only. Here is a trouble shooting guide that may help you figure out the problem. If its under warranty it may be worth the trouble to get it documented prior to the warranty running out so you have some leverage with the Mfg. Let the forum know what you find and fix.

https://www.fourwh.com/NewDometicRefrigeratorManual.pdf
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Old 07-18-2018, 07:32 AM   #3
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I'm dealing with the same issues in our TT. It's been a nightmare to say the least, I have no confidence in our dealer what so ever, they've had this thing for a total of 4+ weeks trying to figure it out. I added dual external fans, removed a baffle, they added a curved baffle per Forest River and nothing helped. They said they think there is a blockage in the system causing it to not cool at times. I'd say try another dealer if you can or even call Dometic and see if they will authorize a mobile repair company. Our dealer keeps saying Dometic wants more testing, more pictures, on and on and I called Dometic and explained the situation to them yesterday and they said "oh no, this should be a simple day or two process not a week or two let alone 4 weeks". I have to give them the model and serial number today (I guess that's how they track warranty issues)and they will see what exactly what's going on with it. Good luck!
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:17 AM   #4
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Seems a simple fix

My fingers are crossed.

Poked around online and found this site:

http://rvrefrigeratorrepair.com/uncategorized/the-thermistor-shuffle/

Following the pic of the cooling fins, I moved the thermistor as far right and up as possible last night before sleep.

Awoke 6 hours ago to a 34 degree fridge.
Still 34/35 now.

I will post an update if anything changes, but this seems to be the answer.

See the site and the pic.
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:51 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PapiG View Post
My fingers are crossed.

Poked around online and found this site:

Doing The Thermistor Shuffle – RV Refrigeration Repair

Following the pic of the cooling fins, I moved the thermistor as far right and up as possible last night before sleep.

Awoke 6 hours ago to a 34 degree fridge.
Still 34/35 now.

I will post an update if anything changes, but this seems to be the answer.

See the site and the pic.
Interesting. The pic you posted shows moving the thermistor DOWN makes it colder. Just the opposite of every other Dometic thermistor I've ever seen. Here's what mine looks like:
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Old 07-18-2018, 06:19 PM   #6
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You know.... I confused this article with another I read also. It described what you did.... And, by the way, what I did.... Move it up and to the right for colder.....

Funny.... Wonder if this guy's pic is inaccurate...
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Old 07-18-2018, 07:23 PM   #7
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I just read that "Thermistor Shuffle" link. The author does indeed state to move the thermistor down and left for a colder fridge. He claims that if your observe when the fins ice up, it is always the top right which means that is the coldest area inside. So moving the thermistor down/left to a warmer area makes the fridge run longer and get colder.

I'm only relaying what I read and neither agree nor disagree. The one time my fridge iced up I didn't note where the ice formed.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:23 PM   #8
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When my Dometic Fridge started to freeze everything....I found a product called "Snip the Tip" which replaces the thermistor with a tiny thermostat. Never had any problems after that.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:36 PM   #9
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Read your refrig. manual and check the warranty time. Although FR is only 1 year a lot of the appliances are 2 years thru their mfg.
We camp in 100+ temps so keeping our refer cold is a task. Inside fans, fan at the back, correct baffleing, are just a few things to consider. We keep a ice chest for drinks and only open refer when necessary. Air flow is critical. Don't believe the story that a packed refer cools better. They sell fans that go on the fins to help air flow but I've checked and right now I don't see any available. Easy to make out of an Sata HDD computer cooling fan. Good luck.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:41 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keystoner View Post
I just read that "Thermistor Shuffle" link. The author does indeed state to move the thermistor down and left for a colder fridge. He claims that if your observe when the fins ice up, it is always the top right which means that is the coldest area inside. So moving the thermistor down/left to a warmer area makes the fridge run longer and get colder.

I'm only relaying what I read and neither agree nor disagree. The one time my fridge iced up I didn't note where the ice formed.
Every time my fridge isn't working, it's because the thermistor has dropped down due to bouncing down the highway and I have to slide it back up.
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
Every time my fridge isn't working, it's because the thermistor has dropped down due to bouncing down the highway and I have to slide it back up.
Dinosaur board has an adjustable thermistor bias to tweak the temp. Mine works well. Set the inside fin thermistor to the upper limit and fine tune the temp at the board.

Mine was 5 degrees in the freezer and 37 in the fridge with 90 degree outside temp.
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Old 07-18-2018, 11:48 PM   #12
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I have the thermistor adjuster from Dinosaur also. Works great.

eBay
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Old 07-19-2018, 05:59 AM   #13
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I had an issue with my dometic refrigerator several years ago. I couldn't get the inside temp down below 61 degrees. The side of the camper that the refrigerator was on was in direct sunlight most of the day and the outside temp was over 90 degrees. I later learned that there was no adequate ventilation behind the refrigerator so the outside temp along with direct sunlight made it nearly impossible for the refrigerator to get cold. I pulled the refrigerator and installed 5 LED computer fans behind it in the vent shaft. Bought everything from coolerguys.com switch and mount plate, wires, power supply for the fans. LED lights up the top of the refrigerator vent camp a blue color. I know they are on. Try not to over pack the refrigerator to let air circulate especially in front of those fins that the thermistor is on.
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:03 PM   #14
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I just checked and the fin mounted fans are available again here:
https://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-Ev...-P3239952.aspx
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:32 PM   #15
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Dometic version of fans are already gone. Still some Norcold fans (same stock #..same fan) in stock. Just ordered one.
https://www.rvcoolingunit.com/Norcol...-P3239953.aspx
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:42 PM   #16
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Dometic version of fans are already gone. Still some Norcold fans (same stock #..same fan) in stock. Just ordered one.
https://www.rvcoolingunit.com/Norcol...-P3239953.aspx
I think that's because they're pushing the fancier ones now:
https://www.rvcoolingunit.com/Dometi...-P5672097.aspx
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