Problem with Dometic Refrigerator

[Sue and Henry]

In 2014 I replaced the original three way refrigerator in our '82 Burro with a Dometic two way fridge. It worked fine for a year, then it started blowing the fuse hooked to the battery box. The way it is set up, the Burro battery operates refrigerator the decision about propane or electric. That is all it does. We had an electrician look at it and replacing the fuse worked for a second, then blew. He checked the box behind the fridge through the outside access panel and said he thought it could be the circuit in the box. He said everything else seemed to be working perfectly.

So, here are two questions:
1. Is it worth taking it in to a RV place? I really didn't get great work done when we lived in California - they seemed to think an '82 was ready to be replaced and were pretty slapdash. We now live in Anacortes Washington. When I went in to a dealership in Burlington about a floor repair (that I ended up doing myself) they said they didn't work on the old fiberglass units in a surprising dismissing tone - but that was body, not electric.

2. I've read a bit on this site about folks replacing the refrigerator with an icebox. I know that would be perhaps a simpler solution than the repair but I do cook and store ingredients in the fridge and the easy access is nice. Is there an icebox that could give me that simple access?

I want to get on the road!! Spring is creeping up on me.

[David Tilston]

Replacement fridges are not hard to come by. The RM211 model seems to go for about $100 near me. I have three spare RM211's and two spare RM36's, but shipping to Washington would be expensive.

[Glenn Baglo]

Look up Dometic service center near you:

Service Locator

[Raz]

The way it is set up, the Burro battery operates refrigerator the decision about propane or electric.

I'm sorry but I don't understand?

A two way fridge should work on 110v or propane. No battery option. Please explain Raz

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Raz

I'm sorry but I don't understand?

A two way fridge should work on 110v or propane. No battery option. Please explain Raz

The fridge may need 12V to power the controls. Mine does.
On shore power, you would be getting 12V as well to operate it.
On propane you need 12V to run it.

[Jack L]

Originally Posted by Raz

I'm sorry but I don't understand?

A two way fridge should work on 110v or propane. No battery option. Please explain Raz

The newer Dometic 2 way propane-120V electric refrigerators require 12 volts to run the electronics. The units have no pilot light. Instead they use electronic ignition. They take very little 12 volt power . I think they require 12 volt power supply when running on 120V also for the temp controls.

If this was a new unit when purchased in 2014 it might still be under warranty.

[Raz]

Got it. So probably a bad control board. Yeah, Dometic service center. Avoid the RV dealer. Raz

[Byron Kinnaman]

Go to a factory authorized Dometic repair shop. I'm sure there's one in NW Washington.

FYI There isn't that much that could be wrong with it.

[Sue and Henry]

Thank you everyone. I can always count on the wonderful people here. I've made an appointment at a Camping World that stocks the brand and say they can take care of my Burro. Thanks Glenn, I used your locator. $85 for the diagnostic and then they'll tell me what the work will run.

[Jack L]

The Dometic factory web site lists a number of service centers. Camping World is not the only one . You might want to go to the Dometic site and call one of the places they list.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Sue and Henry

Thank you everyone. I can always count on the wonderful people here. I've made an appointment at a Camping World that stocks the brand and say they can take care of my Burro. Thanks Glenn, I used your locator. $85 for the diagnostic and then they'll tell me what the work will run.

Check to see if yours is still under warranty.

[Teal]

Check your ground wire. I tried to trace mine on my Scamp 16 and apparently Scamp builds them with the ground going into the front closet (I suppose depending on your floor plan). My mechanic (very smart man) says often the ground wire is not secured firmly to the frame.

I have a different problem with wiring from my car ... lights were blowing a fuse in the car. We also, increased the fuse size and that worked.

The ground will be the next thing for us to figure out.
Hope this helps.
Teal

[Sue and Henry]

Thanks Teal. I didn't realize it even had a ground.

[Bullington]

May have a bad heater element or a bad board. If this is what you have you can narrow it down by unplugging the heater and see if it blows the fuse or not.