No Power to Interior Refrigerator Light

[davalt75]

I've got a 2014 Sandpiper with a Dometic RM3962LSSX model fridge. I was attempting to install a fin fan to help keep the fridge cool in the 90 plus degree SC summer heat. I was planning to splice the wires for the fan to the wires feeding the interior light. As I attempted to pull the connector for the red wire from the terminal behind the light, the light went out. I still have 12v power to the fridge, as the control board on the front is lit up, and the fridge is still working fine. I have checked all fuses and they all look good. I have also changed the bulb and the door switch, but no luck. Should I be looking at the power module behind the fridge? I am pretty handy and a do-it-your-selfer, but I am no electrician. I know enough to be dangerous. I don't want to go poking around in there and fry the control board or worse.

[tomkatb]

Assuming that is a gas electric fridge!

We added the inexpensive dc fan inside. 2 D cell batteries. Last a month per year.

However, with these fridges it is the air movement in the back that really matters.

The guys at Amish rv added a squirrel cage fan in the back to supplement the two little computer fans the factory installed.

Seems to help. We have a switch for it that turns it on full time in hot weather as well as the automatic mode. Houston is hotter than hell all summer.

[davalt75]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

Assuming that is a gas electric fridge!

We added the inexpensive dc fan inside. 2 D cell batteries. Last a month per year.

However, with these fridges it is the air movement in the back that really matters.

The guys at Amish rv added a squirrel cage fan in the back to supplement the two little computer fans the factory installed.

Seems to help. We have a switch for it that turns it on full time in hot weather as well as the automatic mode. Houston is hotter than hell all summer.

I have one of the little battery powered fans in there at the back, blowing air up over the fins. It seems to help some, but doesn't circulate much air at all. The fan I'm attempting to install has the two little computer fans that you mentioned and installs directly onto the fins. I just wanted to try it because it seems like it would do a much better job of circulating air over the fins.

[tomkatb]

Had the same thoughts as you.

In the Amish community they use these fridges exclusively.

I read the installation manual on one of them. They were not recommended in slides. They are Supposed to have that big dome Exhaust above them, not the wall vent I have.

Thus, the removal of heat from the back of the fridge is critical to their performance. Every degree matters.

My factory installed a plywood piece and two little fans in the upper vent.

Food for thought! The fan and wire was cheap.

[GolfingDave]

"I have also changed the bulb and the door switch"

Yes but were they good? New does not mean they work. Have had more than one bad "new" part in my life.

Check them both for continuity.

[davalt75]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

"I have also changed the bulb and the door switch"

Yes but were they good? New does not mean they work. Have had more than one bad "new" part in my life.

Check them both for continuity.

Good point.

[mlmay12]

Originally Posted by davalt75

I've got a 2014 Sandpiper with a Dometic RM3962LSSX model fridge. I was attempting to install a fin fan to help keep the fridge cool in the 90 plus degree SC summer heat. I was planning to splice the wires for the fan to the wires feeding the interior light. As I attempted to pull the connector for the red wire from the terminal behind the light, the light went out. I still have 12v power to the fridge, as the control board on the front is lit up, and the fridge is still working fine. I have checked all fuses and they all look good. I have also changed the bulb and the door switch, but no luck. Should I be looking at the power module behind the fridge? I am pretty handy and a do-it-your-selfer, but I am no electrician. I know enough to be dangerous. I don't want to go poking around in there and fry the control board or worse.

Don't know if it matters but when the door closes the light goes out. I installed a fan on my fins and routed the power wire down the drain tube from the tray under the fins. I connected it to a power block in the exterior fridge panel, works good. The fan I got clipped onto the fins and has a small toggle switch.

[davalt75]

Originally Posted by mlmay12

Don't know if it matters but when the door closes the light goes out. I installed a fan on my fins and routed the power wire down the drain tube from the tray under the fins. I connected it to a power block in the exterior fridge panel, works good. The fan I got clipped onto the fins and has a small toggle switch.

I think that is probably the route I will end up going. I believe from what I read, the light has two black wires. One has constant 12v and the other goes to the door switch. But even if I do route it through the back to the power block, my light in the fridge still doesn't work. Not a big deal, I know. Just a minor inconvenience. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Alde]

Added the 2 computer fans ,work great, I did run separate 12 volt thru drain to rear of fridge outside with separate fuse just to make sure. My light would not work either.it is controlled by a reed switch in control box.i found that after 7 years the lower fibre washer had narrowed. Took off door.added a nylon washer to bottom hinge pin.refer light has worked ever since.my lower fins never frost now either