Any hope for this Fridge?

So if I'm right it's a 97 ltr upright designed to run in a caravan is that where you are using it ? Absorption fridges aren't the most economical or best type of cooling fridge to run they don't like direct sunlight or hot weather and don't work very well while travelling especially in hilly areas. Make sure the door seal is in good condition take the back off and give it a good clean make sure the wiring from the power supply is big enough and in good condition.

The way they are installed can make a huge difference.Check out how it is installed, the manual is here:Dometic Manuals

A lot of van makers cut corners.

I had a similar model which worked well for several years and then decided to "play up" getting no lower than 14 degrees; I did a lot of searching on the internet and found that several knowledgeable people recommended turning the whole fridge upside down for a period of time (I did it for a day) and then turn it up the correct way and it would work OK.

This worked for my fridge. Apparently crystals can form in some part of the fridge and impair its operation.

It may be worth a try.

What is the fridge installed in? Most of them I saw last century were not installed properly. I has a Regent van, which most thought was one of the better models. When you looked through the top vent you could see the top of the fins well above the bottom of the vent. I had a repairer install a second vent above the bottom and redirect the draft deflector to the top of the new vent. I then blocked the bottom vent up to the level of the top of the fins. It then gave reasonable performance up to around 35 deg ambient.

If there is any space at the top or sides of the fridge cabinet then block it off, you don't want any heat travelling around the sides or top. If the fins are any more than 10 - 15 mm from the side wall of the van then put some packing in there to force the rising air through the fins. If you have the up draft bypassing the fins then it will not be removing heat from the cabinet.

Ye you are right about the climate rating. They are last centuries technology. Do you have a handbook for it? If not then get one from here.

Update.......

As originally mentioned, fridge was only holding 9° on a 31°.
Couple of 37° days & we were seeing 15° with little chance of
any recovery until evening temperatures arrived.

So, have pushed some plumbing lagging tubes either side of the rear of the cabinet to block the voids on the sides & put another bit on top to try & help seal the top of the cabinet where the electrics & gas line pass. Very crude.

Astounded at the results though.

Thermostat is set to see an overnight minimum of around 2°C.

Worst day time temp I've seen now was 7° and that was on a couple of 39°C days where overnight temps barely dropped below 30.

On a few 34° days it has now easily maintained below 4° & recovered from occasional opening.

Now to do it properly.

How to deal with the wiring & gas line at the top is the main challenge.
Suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

Phil

Update.......

As originally mentioned, fridge was only holding 9° on a 31°.
Couple of 37° days & we were seeing 15° with little chance of
any recovery until evening temperatures arrived.

So, have pushed some plumbing lagging tubes either side of the rear of the cabinet to block the voids on the sides & put another bit on top to try & help seal the top of the cabinet where the electrics & gas line pass. Very crude.

Astounded at the results though.

Thermostat is set to see an overnight minimum of around 2°C.

Worst day time temp I've seen now was 7° and that was on a couple of 39°C days where overnight temps barely dropped below 30.

On a few 34° days it has now easily maintained below 4° & recovered from occasional opening.

Now to do it properly.

How to deal with the wiring & gas line at the top is the main challenge.
Suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

Phil