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Old 08-04-2016, 05:33 PM   #1
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Don't know if my fridge has a defroster

I can't tell from the manual whether this Dometic fridge has a defrosting strip or not. The model is a DM2652RBX. Anybody know where I might find out - I've done a search online as well, but without success. We do a lot of boondocking and I need to extend my battery life.
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Old 08-04-2016, 05:45 PM   #2
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Take the lower outside cover off and look for the wiring diagram. Look at the lower left corner. Compare it to the pic of mine (it's an LBK, not an RBK). Item "K" is the heater cable in parallel with my inside light. If you have a squiggly line like my "K" in parallel with your inside light, you've got the defrosting strip.
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Old 08-05-2016, 08:43 AM   #3
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Rockfordroo, I never thought about looking at the wiring schematic. But then again I wouldn't have known what exactly to look for until your response. Did you post something about how you disconnected your defroster in another discussion about it?
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Old 08-05-2016, 08:58 AM   #4
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All I did was clip the wire from inside the light cover and add 2 spade ends in case I wanted to re-connect it later. I put the cover back on and it has never given me any problems in the last year and a half.
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Old 08-05-2016, 03:13 PM   #5
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All I did was clip the wire from inside the light cover and add 2 spade ends in case I wanted to re-connect it later. I put the cover back on and it has never given me any problems in the last year and a half.
I see on the diagram that I have the heat strip. Have taken off the light cover and see an extra wire down in the hole there behind the light. Appears the light housing is held on the wall by a plastic rivet - did you guys drill that out in order to access the wire?
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Old 08-05-2016, 03:33 PM   #6
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Isn't there an on/off switch in the top of the freezer or the fridge on the inside?
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Old 08-05-2016, 03:41 PM   #7
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Unfortunately not, heard they used to have that, but I guess they are trying to save a few pennies. Wish there were!
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Old 08-05-2016, 05:21 PM   #8
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I just slipped a pair of needle nose pliers in there and pulled the wire up.
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Old 08-05-2016, 08:48 PM   #9
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Quote:
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Rockfordroo, I never thought about looking at the wiring schematic. But then again I wouldn't have known what exactly to look for until your response. Did you post something about how you disconnected your defroster in another discussion about it?
I haven't done mine yet, but I've posted another forum member's step by step. Here it is again.
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Old 08-06-2016, 07:30 AM   #10
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Fantastic! Thanks for your help guys.
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Old 08-06-2016, 12:21 PM   #11
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Smile

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Fantastic! Thanks for your help guys.
times two!
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Old 08-08-2016, 10:37 AM   #12
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I've been planning on a similar modification for my fridge for a year or so. Until now, I've been disconnecting the light/heater wire at the circuit board but I discovered that that's a dangerous thing to do when the fridge has AC power because the nearby fuse with exposed contacts is apparently for the 110V heater. (Please don't ask how I discovered this.)

Instead of installing bullet connectors, I'll probably mount a switch on the sloped panel of the light housing. This will make it easy to turn off the heater when boondocking.

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