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Old 09-23-2021, 02:04 PM   #1
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strange spray from Dometic fridge

Haven't seen before this white spray from the exterior fridge door. Does it look like a coolant leak? I opened the fridge panel and it was all dry and dusty inside and I couldn't find any cracks or breaks. There were no spills in the fridge for this to come from the defrost tray. I've reviewed the Dometic diagnostic manual and couldn't find any reference. And now I'm doubly frustrated because I've been trying for over 30 minutes to upload the image. And yes, I've read all the "how to upload images" posts.
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Old 09-23-2021, 02:22 PM   #2
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What you are seeing ie likely an ammonia salt caused by a leak. The refrigerant in an absorption fridge is ammonia and water.
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Old 09-23-2021, 02:28 PM   #3
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Jean said exterior refreg, so I am assumeing this is an outside refrigerator which is probably a 120V dorm type refrigerator.

Sometimes on a humid day when you open the refreg door, some moisture in the air near the opening can "freeze" into a smoke like appearance. I have also seen it inside the RV opening the freezer before the AC has lowered the internal humidity.
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Old 09-23-2021, 02:37 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TowPro View Post
Jean said exterior refreg, so I am assumeing this is an outside refrigerator which is probably a 120V dorm type refrigerator.

Sometimes on a humid day when you open the refreg door, some moisture in the air near the opening can "freeze" into a smoke like appearance. I have also seen it inside the RV opening the freezer before the AC has lowered the internal humidity.

strange spray from Dometic fridge
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Old 09-23-2021, 02:48 PM   #5
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Other than what Towpro noted, if any coil leaks on an absorption unit or a compressor driven refrigerator, it's like the smoke getting out of a motor. In other words, it's ruined.
That said, there isn't an evaporator in the door of either unit.

If it still works, it doesn't have anything to do with the refrigeration system.
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Old 09-23-2021, 06:50 PM   #6
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Thank you!

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. Just returned from a trip during which fridge worked too well; couldn't get the temp adjusted to stop it from freezing. Just winterized trailer so will try the fridge in the driveway next spring, to see if it still works.
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Old 09-23-2021, 07:25 PM   #7
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When you say "exterior fridge door" which door are you referring to?
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Old 09-24-2021, 10:36 AM   #8
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The strange spray . . .

. . is blowing out the Dometic fridge panel on the outside of the trailer.

And still trying to upload the image. The "manage attachments" window says "current attachments" and the file name. Have no idea why it worked this time (pre preview, anyway) and not before.
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Old 09-24-2021, 10:56 AM   #9
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Question P.S.

I think the spray came from thawed ice in the defrost tray inside the refrigerator, as the tray was bone-dry when I cleaned the fridge interior. The spray happened during our one-hour trip home from camping. But I always turn off the propane and, therefore the fridge, when we've camped within two hours of home. Never before had the milky spray from the trailer's exterior panel.
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Old 09-24-2021, 11:50 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJean2 View Post
I think the spray came from thawed ice in the defrost tray inside the refrigerator, as the tray was bone-dry when I cleaned the fridge interior. The spray happened during our one-hour trip home from camping. But I always turn off the propane and, therefore the fridge, when we've camped within two hours of home. Never before had the milky spray from the trailer's exterior panel.
I think you have solved the mystery.
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Old 09-24-2021, 12:25 PM   #11
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That is from the drip pan drain. The pic helps.
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Old 09-24-2021, 12:57 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJean2 View Post
. . is blowing out the Dometic fridge panel on the outside of the trailer.

And still trying to upload the image. The "manage attachments" window says "current attachments" and the file name. Have no idea why it worked this time (pre preview, anyway) and not before.

I know you had trouble posting the pic but could you post one more of the full fridge outside grill. This will show us where the drain is located and will insure a proper diagnostic.



If the water is coming from the drain we will be able to see it.



Thanks for the post.
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Old 09-24-2021, 01:09 PM   #13
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that picture makes me think something inside refreg was spilled into the drain pan below cooling fins inside, than it washed out when you turned refreg off and all that ice on cooling fins melted.


in fact if you remove that panel on outsside you will see a hose hanging down that you want to make sure DOES drain into the openings like you see. If it did not it would drain into back of refrigerator cabinet and make a mess.
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Old 09-24-2021, 02:12 PM   #14
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More photos

Campers302 - could you post one more of the full fridge outside grill. This will show us where the drain is located and will insure a proper diagnostic.

Pics attached. The drain tube runs through a grill at the top of the outside panel onto the first shelf. It seems to be in the right place and the back of the fridge space is dry. Since I didn't have anything in the freezer except some bread, I worry why the thawed frost from the freezer is milky.
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Old 09-24-2021, 03:06 PM   #15
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looks correct to me
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Old 09-24-2021, 03:40 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJean2 View Post
Campers302 - could you post one more of the full fridge outside grill. This will show us where the drain is located and will insure a proper diagnostic.

Pics attached. The drain tube runs through a grill at the top of the outside panel onto the first shelf. It seems to be in the right place and the back of the fridge space is dry. Since I didn't have anything in the freezer except some bread, I worry why the thawed frost from the freezer is milky.

Looks right. Only problem is it looks as though you cleaned it up before this pic. I was hoping to see the run running from the drain tube.



I think someone else nailed it when they said it looked like something got into the drain pan and ran out the tube.



Keep an eye on it an get back if it happens again.


Good luck and Happy Camping.


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Old 09-24-2021, 04:28 PM   #17
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Thank you everyone

Would buy you a beer if I could.
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