Dometic Fridge not cooling
Submitted: Saturday, Mar 10, 2007 at 23:34
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meercat
Hi have read a bit on the
forum regarding fridge problems. Some advice on the problem I am having from the
Forum Members would be great.
It is a Dometic Sweden 3 way fridge installed in a pop top caravan. The fridge would probably be around 20 years old at least. Tried it for the first time (since I bought the van) on 240v and after a couple of hours the freezer was cold but the fridge compartment didn't cool down at all. A number of Members have advised others to take the fridge out and turn it upside down/on its sides over a period of a few days. Before I try this, just wanted to check to see if this is what I should be doing or whether I should see a fridge mechanic. I would say that the van has been sitting idle for anywhere uin the viciniity of 5+ years judging by the cobwebs in/around and under the van.
Reply By: GerryP - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 00:08
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 00:08
Hi Meercat,
Absrption fridges take a lot longer than a couple of hours to start bring the cabinet temperatures down. If the freezer is starting to get cold, then there's a chance it will be OK - just give it more time. I would leave it overnight, then if it isn't cold by morning, you have a problem. Also, don't expect too much on a hot day as most of them are not real flash at anything over 30 degrees.
Cheers
Gerry
AnswerID:
226674
Follow Up By: meercat - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 22:12
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 22:12
Thanks Gerry, fridge was actually on 240v for around 4 hours. Fridge did get cooler but hardly noticeable. It seems like a lot of work to take the fridge out and give it a good shake/turn it upside down. I wouldn't know
where to start.
FollowupID:
487654
Reply By: Kazz44 - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 00:54
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 00:54
Hi I am thinking of taking with me
camping a bar fridge and tucker box and running them off a generator and getting a converter to run them off the car when travelling has any one done this before and had any dramas. ta Kazz
AnswerID:
226680
Follow Up By: joc45 - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 02:57
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 02:57
Hi Kazz,
If you're not thinking of rough-roading it; ie, sticking to sealed roads, then the fridge will probably handle it, and also if you run it off your gennie you'll be ok.
But you'll be horrified at the power consumption if you're thinking of running it off your battery via an inverter.
The bar fridge won't handle rough vibrations like a car fridge will, and the efficiency is much lower.
Check the label on the fridge, which will give the power or current consumption at 240v. Translate the current at 12v, and then add a 10-15% for efficiency loss in the inverter, and you'll get an idea of what it'll draw.
Gerry
FollowupID:
487499
Reply By: Member - Jack - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 07:50
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 07:50
On the two occasions that my domestic fridgte has decided it is not "cool" it has been the thermostat.
Jack
AnswerID:
226694
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 07:51
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 07:51
ooops ... the post got away from me a bit quickly ...
.. or, if it has been idel for some time, as you indicate, it may need a regas.
Jack
FollowupID:
487504
Follow Up By: meercat - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 22:14
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 22:14
Hi Jack do you know where the thermostat is located?
FollowupID:
487655
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 07:57
Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 07:57
Hi meercat:
On both my Engel car fridge and my domestic fridge it is near the "Warm - Cold" controller, but to be sure in your situation I'd ask an expert.
Jack
FollowupID:
487724
Reply By: westozal - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 08:00
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 08:00
Hello,
Mmy fridge in our poptop did the same... was the heating element in the back of the fridge.
To test this theory go to the fridge vents at the outside the van and see if u can feel warm air. If not it is possible this is the problem ...i think it cost about 200 dollars to get it repaired incl labour to move frige in and out.
regards Alan.
AnswerID:
226695
Follow Up By: meercat - Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 22:15
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 22:15
HI ALan, thanks for
the tip, I will try it. One thing I did notice was that not a sound came from the fridge even though the freezer worked. Is this normal? I expected it to sound like my household fridge.
FollowupID:
487656
Reply By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 10:06
Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 10:06
try it on gas and see what happens
AnswerID:
226899
Reply By: meercat - Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 13:48
Monday, Apr 02, 2007 at 13:48
Does anyone have any ideas why my Dometic Fridge will work on gas but not electricity.
AnswerID:
231227