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Old 10-24-2015, 07:48 AM   #1
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Dometic fridge caput

Nothing like starting a camping trip with your 2015 hemisphere 312qbud and your fridge won't cool. I was cold before we left the house and when we got to the campsite 2 hours away we opened the camper door and smelled ammonia. Didn't think much of the smell because it dissipated quickly. A few hours later the fridge (my cider) felt warm so I grabbed my laser temp gun and the fridge was 62 degrees.

I switched it back to Propane to see if that would help and no such luck. At least we have an outdoor kitchen with a fridge so we can restock on the spoiled food and keep camping.

It looks like our camper is going to spend some time at the dealer this winter.
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Old 10-24-2015, 06:20 PM   #2
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Sorry to hear that. Hope they get you fixed up quickly with no hassles.


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Old 10-24-2015, 08:04 PM   #3
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Thanks. This was our last trip for the season so no big deal. Just need it fixed by March.
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Old 10-25-2015, 02:37 PM   #4
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To bad about your fridge....
I had the same problem and pricing a new fridge gave me a scare so I found a place on line that remanufactured the cooling unit. It wasn't hard to replace just a little awkward for one person to handle(not to heavy, just big).
good luck
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Old 10-25-2015, 03:13 PM   #5
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Plan your repair wisely. By that I mean, you need to search authorized Dometic repair centers and make the trip to several, to get a feel which place feels right to you. If all goes smoothe, you can expect a week minimum to have it repaired. The process includes your repair facility determining that in fact it is an amonia leak, then they need to contact Dometic to get warranty authorization. Then the part has to be ordered and shipped. So, keep the door shut until you get to the repair location. Once they get the telltale smell your good to go under warranty. Been there done that. Took me till I visited the third location until I felt confortable. Oh, and by the way, if you are taking it to where you didn't purchase the unit, be prepared to wait longer if they have in-house purchase customers ahead of you.

Bring a copy of the bill of sale with you if you go outside your purchased dealer.
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Old 10-25-2015, 05:07 PM   #6
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Thanks for the advice. Hopefully my dealer is a dometic repair center.
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Old 10-25-2015, 05:31 PM   #7
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Should be covered by warranty so back to the dealer to either fix or replace. Later RJD
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Old 10-25-2015, 08:59 PM   #8
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It's definitely under warranty. Going to the dealer tomorrow
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Old 10-26-2015, 10:51 AM   #9
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I have an appt for Thursday morning at the dealer
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Old 10-26-2015, 11:01 AM   #10
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I wouldn't be surprised if they just swapped it out. They did that in mine. Had it back I half a day. Great service from Dometic. Could not be happier with them.



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Old 10-26-2015, 01:48 PM   #11
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Sweet I hope that's what happens
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Old 10-26-2015, 09:36 PM   #12
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Man thank goodness for warranty....I guess I just realized another benefit of having the outside kitchen...2 fridges sometimes is a good thing!! Gotta look at the positives
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Old 10-26-2015, 09:44 PM   #13
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No doubt. The outside fridge saved our trip! We didn't have any coolers with us. We only had to throw away about $20 worth of food that was in the freezer.
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Old 10-26-2015, 10:04 PM   #14
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Better you get it squared away before you put it to bed.
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Old 11-02-2015, 03:21 PM   #15
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When you smell ammonia like that, don't play a flame to it.
It could have caught on fire.


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Old 11-02-2015, 03:47 PM   #16
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It's still at the dealer. They are going to winterize it for me while they have it since it might be a while.
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Old 11-02-2015, 03:49 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cajun Style View Post
When you smell ammonia like that, don't play a flame to it.
It could have caught on fire.


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Who lights a lighter to look in their fridge!
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Old 11-02-2015, 04:37 PM   #18
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I think he is talking about me switching it to Propane to see if it would work
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Old 11-02-2015, 04:49 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atcbrownie View Post
I think he is talking about me switching it to Propane to see if it would work

Jeez you gotta have a little fun right? Booms and flames just another day. Good luck with the repair.
We are in S Florida and it's been 90-95 the last few days. My Dometic is running a cool 33 degrees. I could not be happier with it. I'm sure they will get your fixed.



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Old 11-02-2015, 04:58 PM   #20
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I think my fridge was leaking the entire time since new because we never saw temps that low
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