|
09-23-2021, 02:04 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 63
|
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.
__________________
2018 Cruise Lite 171RBX
2016 Silverado 2500 4x4 w/trailering package
"If something can go wrong, it will -
but not if you're prepared." Murphy's Corollary
|
|
|
09-23-2021, 02:22 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
|
What you are seeing ie likely an ammonia salt caused by a leak. The refrigerant in an absorption fridge is ammonia and water.
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
|
|
|
09-23-2021, 02:28 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,669
|
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.
|
|
|
09-23-2021, 02:37 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TowPro
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
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
|
|
|
09-23-2021, 02:48 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 459
|
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.
__________________
2020 Sunseeker 2860DS
|
|
|
09-23-2021, 06:50 PM
|
#6
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 63
|
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.
__________________
2018 Cruise Lite 171RBX
2016 Silverado 2500 4x4 w/trailering package
"If something can go wrong, it will -
but not if you're prepared." Murphy's Corollary
|
|
|
09-23-2021, 07:25 PM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
|
When you say "exterior fridge door" which door are you referring to?
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 10:36 AM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 63
|
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.
__________________
2018 Cruise Lite 171RBX
2016 Silverado 2500 4x4 w/trailering package
"If something can go wrong, it will -
but not if you're prepared." Murphy's Corollary
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 10:56 AM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 63
|
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.
__________________
2018 Cruise Lite 171RBX
2016 Silverado 2500 4x4 w/trailering package
"If something can go wrong, it will -
but not if you're prepared." Murphy's Corollary
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 11:50 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 1,976
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJean2
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.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 12:25 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cedar Creek Lake, TX
Posts: 3,477
|
That is from the drip pan drain. The pic helps.
__________________
Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Keystone Loredo 290SRL
2019 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins crew cab
Andersen hitch
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 12:57 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 648
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJean2
. . 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.
__________________
.
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 01:09 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,669
|
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.
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 02:12 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 63
|
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.
__________________
2018 Cruise Lite 171RBX
2016 Silverado 2500 4x4 w/trailering package
"If something can go wrong, it will -
but not if you're prepared." Murphy's Corollary
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 03:06 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,669
|
looks correct to me
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 03:40 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 648
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by IamJean2
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.
__________________
.
|
|
|
09-24-2021, 04:28 PM
|
#17
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 63
|
Thank you everyone
Would buy you a beer if I could.
__________________
2018 Cruise Lite 171RBX
2016 Silverado 2500 4x4 w/trailering package
"If something can go wrong, it will -
but not if you're prepared." Murphy's Corollary
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|