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04-29-2013, 10:09 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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Flagstaff 12RB Dometic Fridge Question...
Hi All!
I just had my first trip with my 2012 flagstaff 12RB and have had just a nothing but good things to say! However, I wasn't sure how to use the fridge... I could not find the controls for the fridge and wasn't quite sure if it was working. I was plugged in on shore power and propane lines were open.
Anyone know where I can find the fridge controls? Do I need to access them from outside (ventilation side?). I spent a good 15 mins trying to find the controls and only thing i could find is the furnace/ac/fan thermostat at the entrance.
This is my first RV so I apologize if this is an amateur question!
Thanks!
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04-29-2013, 10:16 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,914
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Welcome to the group. It's hard to give a definitive answer without seeing/knowing exactly which Dometic refrigerator you have.
There aren't any controls on the front of the fridge?
Maybe someone with your trailer model will chime in.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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04-29-2013, 10:23 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northern Manitoba...sigh
Posts: 272
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Welcome to the group, fishin'.
The fridge controls are on the left (driver's) side of your trailer. There are two identical panels that look like vents stacked one atop the other. Those are removable and the controls are in behind them.
Someone will no doubt be along shortly with photos (my unit's still in storage across town).
Note: if you're on shore power, you won't need to be running your fridge on propane.
__________________
2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2012 Flagstaff T10RD
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04-29-2013, 10:27 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northern Manitoba...sigh
Posts: 272
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There -the two louvered thingys (I love technical terms!) on top of each other.
__________________
2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2012 Flagstaff T10RD
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04-29-2013, 10:27 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,914
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This may possibly be the users manual for your fridge:
http://www.dometic.com/ed505e90-e109...ee053651.fodoc
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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04-29-2013, 10:30 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northern Manitoba...sigh
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiscampsin
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your 2012 flagstaff 12RB. Look inside the fridge. You'll see fins. On the right side there should be a thing you slide up & down to control the fridge temp.
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Really?
On mine, ,the temp control is outside (behind the louvered thingys).
It's got two settings: frozen beer and spoiled meat.
__________________
2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2012 Flagstaff T10RD
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04-29-2013, 10:33 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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Ok perfect! I know exactly the panels you are talking about Yukon Don, I'll check them tonight.
Wiscampsin - I'll have another look in the fridge to see if there are fridge temp controllers. I don't remember seeing them there, but i'll have a look. I was plugged into shore and it didn't seem like the temperature was dropping, but maybe the fridge is off... I'll check the controls on the driver side outdoor panel and let you guys know.
wmtire - I'll have a look at that manual! thx!
Thanks everyone!
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04-29-2013, 11:29 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yukon Don
Really?
On mine, ,the temp control is outside (behind the louvered thingys).
It's got two settings: frozen beer and spoiled meat.
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I finally decided that only things to put in the fridge was drinking water and condiments. And I have never had mayonnaise freeze. I am hoping that a new fridge will be slightly better.
These fridges don't have thermostats just controls for the energy input. That actual cooling level is proportional to energy input and inversely proportional to the outdoor temperature. That is the lower the outdoor temps the more cooling you will get from a certain energy input. Or at least it sure seems that way.
__________________
Tom
2012 Rockwood A122S
2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4
Former owner of a 2002 Coleman Niagara GTE
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04-29-2013, 11:47 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northern Manitoba...sigh
Posts: 272
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Well, at least I haven't blown my eyebrows off lighting this one -yet (that was a common occurrence with my last Dometic fridge).
__________________
2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2012 Flagstaff T10RD
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04-29-2013, 01:15 PM
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#10
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Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 835
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Fishin,
There aren't any controls inside the fridge on the units that are installed in the A-frames. The ones with internal controls are installed in the big units, 5ers and TTs. Still, the little fridges we have are versatile, triple-powered units. Very handy for boondocking.
Of the two fridge vent grilles outside on the drivers side, the upper one gives you access to the two electrical switches, one for 12 volt operation, the other for 120 volt ("shore power" is the hip camper term) operation. Never have both switches on at the same time, and if you're using propane, don't have either switch on. There's a grey knob on the same little panel as the switches, and that's your temp control. Depending on ambient temp, you may find you prefer a setting in the 3 to 6 range to start with, and adjust from there. Most campers start their fridges on shore power the day/evening before their trip starts, then switch to 12 volt while traveling, then to either propane or shore power if available as soon as they get parked. That's 'cause 12 volt operation will draw down your battery quickly. Think of 12 volt operation of the fridge as like a "bridge mode", for bridging between Camp Driveway and Camp Outtahere.
The bottom of the two vent grilles gives access to the burner controls for using the fridge on propane mode. Have both of the previously-covered electrical switches off, then turn the grey gas control knob to ON, push it in and hold it, and push the spark igniter (red) button several times. Then release the gas control knob. IF you've remembered to turn the propane tank valves on, and IF the gas lines have had a few moments to fill, and IF you did the ignition routine right, the fridge pilot will light. You probably won't be able to see it in daylight, but leave the vent grille off a while and come back and carefully feel the area around the burner. If its cold, try starting the burner again. If its warm, you're done, except for setting the temp and putting the grille back on. We have ours set very low, like 1 and a half, because propane mode works VERY well. That's the source of the comments about frozen foods in previous posts. We've all been there; Beer Pops are an interesting idea but not terribly practical.
A few times to practice will make propane mode easier. I prefer that mode myself, but it takes some getting used to. Be sure to turn the fridge off the propane mode before leaving the campsite. Some folks leave their fridges running on gas even while driving; I wouldn't care to do that myself...
The manuals that came with the camper should have information about using the fridge. Shame on your dealer if he/she didn't show you any of that (including how to get the grilles off and on again). If you need help, ask any fellow camper whose unit has a fridge. Those with big rigs might have had a smaller one like ours once, and might be able to help. Plus, you'll make a new friend. Take 'em a Beer Pop later on.
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It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Lee, WU0V, and Courtenay, N0ZDT
2011 Rockwood A128
2000 Silverado 1500 pickup
60W solar system
2000W inverter generator
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04-29-2013, 01:23 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Washington state
Posts: 1,258
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and always remember to pick one or none for your power source. For me, remembering to switch off 12v once I arrive is my challenge. haha.I dont like that our fridge controls are outside behind the vent cover, but at least they are easily accessible. If using propane, be patient for it to light - allow a few minutes for the gas to travel. My service tech said I was being too impatient & expecting it there in a blink jist wasnt going to happen. haha Great advice from members! Glad to hear you are enjoying your new purchase!! Ummm....Wheres the pics?
__________________
2012 FR Flagstaff T12SDTH
1996 Shadowcruiser Pop Up Truck Camper
1967 Newell Motorcoach
2003 Ford F150 5.4 V8 Triton Super Cab
2004 Nissan Titan LE 5.6 V8 4x4 Crew Cab
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04-29-2013, 04:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,770
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I have a small clamp that holds the button in the light position to get the gas flowing. Put the clamp on, go do something else, come back to light the fridge and remove the clamp.
__________________
Tom
2012 Rockwood A122S
2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4
Former owner of a 2002 Coleman Niagara GTE
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04-29-2013, 04:39 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Washington state
Posts: 1,258
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Thats a good idea because I am admittedly impatient when it comes to using the propane for the fridge....
__________________
2012 FR Flagstaff T12SDTH
1996 Shadowcruiser Pop Up Truck Camper
1967 Newell Motorcoach
2003 Ford F150 5.4 V8 Triton Super Cab
2004 Nissan Titan LE 5.6 V8 4x4 Crew Cab
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04-29-2013, 04:43 PM
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#14
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pooneil
I have a small clamp that holds the button in the light position to get the gas flowing. Put the clamp on, go do something else, come back to light the fridge and remove the clamp.
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I would venture to say that you are asking for some backfiring if you leave it clamped on very long. What's the hurry, you're camping, relax!
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04-29-2013, 04:52 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Washington state
Posts: 1,258
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Oldcoot, once I was trying to light the fridge, counted 45 seconds & nothing. Held the button another 30 second, nothing. Called my friend over to have her try with no luck. Got to a point that I wondered if I had propane. We confirmed propane existed....I actually had the bottles filled before I left for the trip. Called my DH to ask him what I was doing wrong....he said "be patient". I tried again & began to question if I was pushing the wrong button. My friend and I sat on the ground reading the manual. LOL - finally the gas arrived & it lit. It seriously took about 10 minutes of questioning what the hey is wrong with my propane line before it fired up. Grrr....Last weekend, I asked the service tech at the dealer when I was having the fridge's annual service check & he said it was not unusual to have to wait for the gas to arrive & like my DH, told me to "be patient". HAHAW
__________________
2012 FR Flagstaff T12SDTH
1996 Shadowcruiser Pop Up Truck Camper
1967 Newell Motorcoach
2003 Ford F150 5.4 V8 Triton Super Cab
2004 Nissan Titan LE 5.6 V8 4x4 Crew Cab
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04-29-2013, 05:06 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
I would venture to say that you are asking for some backfiring if you leave it clamped on very long. What's the hurry, you're camping, relax!
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I've gotten a whoosh or two up the chimney. And I have gotten whooshes when holding the button too. It is not the hurry, but the bending over to hold the button for an undetermined length of time is a pain in the back. Getting rid of pains in the back is one reason to give up a tent trailer and go with an Aframe.
If I still had young kids, I would just give them the job, but...
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Tom
2012 Rockwood A122S
2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4
Former owner of a 2002 Coleman Niagara GTE
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04-29-2013, 05:10 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handbuilder
It seriously took about 10 minutes
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The fridges use so little gas that it can take that long to bleed the air out of the line. The only way to hasten the process is to light the stove first.
__________________
Tom
2012 Rockwood A122S
2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4
Former owner of a 2002 Coleman Niagara GTE
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04-29-2013, 06:11 PM
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#18
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pooneil
The fridges use so little gas that it can take that long to bleed the air out of the line. The only way to hasten the process is to light the stove first.
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I was about to say the same thing!
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Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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