Icicles hanging off refrigerator fins

[Davison206]

Those of you with a Coachmen c-class with four door rv
refrigerator, please tell me if you have icicles hanging off the fins. We have had 7 different rv's and never had this happen. Eventually the fins will be packed with ice between them. I just defrosted the fridge and freezer last week.

[jonwisconsin]

Is this a propane/electric one?

[rockfordroo]

Sounds like your door seals are leaking.

[Davison206]

Combination electric/propane....I will check the door seals.

[5picker]

If it's the Dometic 1350 series with 4 doors, make sure the plastic flap/divider on the left door that rotates into position to seal the two lower doors is coming closed enough to seal the doors.

You can't tell when both doors are closed but after closing both lower doors, open the right door and pull forward (gently) on the plastic flap/divider. If it moves forward (even slightly) it likely isn't sealing between the doors and allowing humid air in, forming the ice.

It will also not allow the refrigerator to cool properly in hot weather.

We found no adjustment for the flap/divider (it doesn't move much to create a gap) and have just gotten used to closing the left door first, pulling on the flap and then closing the right door.

Also, when posting questions about something specific, it's always best to include as much information as possible including the make and model number.

[Gman2]

I have a conventional RV 2 door (refer/freezer) and I get the same type build-up on the fins. I have no idea why, everything stays nice and cold.

[jonwisconsin]

You can anticipate some of this because the nature of the fridge. That's why prefer residential. No need to defrost.

[Hudgen]

We have exact same problems from our unit. Dealer sent repair man and he said defrost cycle was not working. Dealer says he sees nothing wrong and refuses to contact FR. Dealer says I expect too much from an RV refrig.

Yes, I now have a new dealer looking at it . . .

[Villagerjjm]

If you leave open cans of soda, fruit or leftover foods in your RV refrigerator, you will get frost build up. I have noticed ice build up on the fins when I camp in humid weather, or if there is excessive humidity inside the trailer. If you boil water and open and close the refrigerator often enough, you will get build up. Check the drain hose for the refrigerator. Make adjustments to the drain hose so that wind and out door humidity have less chance of making its way in through this little "back door".

[Dastagg]

My old motorhome did the same and is normal. I switched to residential in my new trailer. Love residential. Not so many issues as with rv type.

[pmsherman]

We also get frost buildup in our Dometic 2-door 2-way fridge. Our long trips usually run around three months and we spend a bit of time in humid areas which makes the problem worse.

The only solutions are to keep all items wrapped/covered and open the door as little as possible. Around the time that the fins get mostly packed with ice, I defrost the fridge, something I've needed to do only once a trip.

Defrosting the fins usually takes under 60 minutes using an applied heat technique that is NOT RECOMMENDED by Dometic. The defrost technique is quick enough that I don't have to fully empty the fridge to defrost the fins.


Phil

[Dastagg]

One of those small rv refrigerator fans on the fins help prevent the build up and helps also to distribute cold throughout refrigerator for even temps throughout. My buildup went away with the little fans.

[jonwisconsin]

It is sad they have not come with a solution for this.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by jonwisconsin

It is sad they have not come with a solution for this.

Our Dometic 1350 that I mentioned in an earlier post has a defrost cycle that it automatically goes into at 60 hours after initial fire-up and then every 48 hours after that.

It does a very good job of keeping the fins defrosted.

[Dastagg]

Those RV refrigerators just have way too many issues with taking forever to cool, tempermental and just poor performance plus constant freezer defrosting, made me decide to never have one again. On my 2017 Windjammer, we chose to have a residential installed to replace the oem RV type and love it. Better performance plus ice maker. Only needs 110 volt power and that is at most any park and longer trips, we have the little Honda generator(s) for long trip keeping things cold if needed.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Our Dometic 1350 that I mentioned in an earlier post has a defrost cycle that it automatically goes into at 60 hours after initial fire-up and then every 48 hours after that.

It does a very good job of keeping the fins defrosted.

Hmm. I've never heard of this before, so I googled Dometic 1350 manuals. Didn't find anything that discussed auto-defrosting. The 2nd doc actually describes manual defrosting.

Are you sure your fridge is "auto" defrosting?

[Hudgen]

This is what our refrig looks like after a month . . .

[5picker]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Hmm. I've never heard of this before, so I googled Dometic 1350 manuals. Didn't find anything that discussed auto-defrosting. The 2nd doc actually describes manual defrosting.

Are you sure your fridge is "auto" defrosting?

Humm...
From Page 7 of the second manual you posted.

Automatic cooling unit cycling
system and Low ambient control.

The refrigerator has been designed with an automatic cooling
unit cycling system that helps reduce frost build up in the fresh
food compartment. The first automatic frost reduction cooling
unit cycle begins 60 hours after turning “on” the refrigerator
(for best operational results the refrigerator should be turned on
anytime between 4 and 10 PM), and will last for approximately
120 minutes. Thereafter, the cycle will automatically repeat
every 48 hours as long as the refrigerator continues to run.
The automatic Low Ambient Control (LAC) ensures troublefree
operation in low ambient temperatures (e.g below 50° F).

Pretty sure it's "auto" defrosting.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Humm...
From Page 7 of the second manual you posted.

Automatic cooling unit cycling
system and Low ambient control.

The refrigerator has been designed with an automatic cooling
unit cycling system that helps reduce frost build up in the fresh
food compartment. The first automatic frost reduction cooling
unit cycle begins 60 hours after turning “on” the refrigerator
(for best operational results the refrigerator should be turned on
anytime between 4 and 10 PM), and will last for approximately
120 minutes. Thereafter, the cycle will automatically repeat
every 48 hours as long as the refrigerator continues to run.
The automatic Low Ambient Control (LAC) ensures troublefree
operation in low ambient temperatures (e.g below 50° F).

Pretty sure it's "auto" defrosting.

Well, I certainly wasn't going to actually read the WHOLE thing (40 + 24 pages)!

I word-searched "defrost." Who'd've thunk they'd use "frost reduction?"

Learned something new today!

[Hugh R]

You have moisture causing the frost. Just an idea, try putting uncooked rice in some cheesecloth in the frig, to absorb the moisture or some other dessicant pack.