Problem with Dometic Refrigerator - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-11-2016, 12:16 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Sue and Henry's Avatar
 
Name: Sue and Greg
Trailer: 1982 Burro 13 foot and a 2015 Casita Spitit Deluxe 17 ft.
Washington
Posts: 598
Registry
Problem with Dometic Refrigerator

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.
Sue and Henry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 12:22 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
David Tilston's Avatar
 
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
Registry
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.
David Tilston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 12:32 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Glenn Baglo's Avatar
 
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
Look up Dometic service center near you:

Service Locator
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
Glenn Baglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 12:32 PM   #4
Raz
Senior Member
 
Raz's Avatar
 
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
Quote:
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
Raz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 12:42 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Glenn Baglo's Avatar
 
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raz View Post
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.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
Glenn Baglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 12:47 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raz View Post
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.
Jack L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 01:09 PM   #7
Raz
Senior Member
 
Raz's Avatar
 
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
Got it. So probably a bad control board. Yeah, Dometic service center. Avoid the RV dealer. Raz
Raz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 01:42 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Byron Kinnaman's Avatar
 
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
Registry
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.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
Byron Kinnaman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 06:58 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Sue and Henry's Avatar
 
Name: Sue and Greg
Trailer: 1982 Burro 13 foot and a 2015 Casita Spitit Deluxe 17 ft.
Washington
Posts: 598
Registry
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.
Sue and Henry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 08:41 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
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.
Jack L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 08:51 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Glenn Baglo's Avatar
 
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sue and Henry View Post
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.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
Glenn Baglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 12:04 PM   #12
Member
 
Name: Teal
Trailer: Scamp 16
Arizona
Posts: 48
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
Teal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 01:22 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Sue and Henry's Avatar
 
Name: Sue and Greg
Trailer: 1982 Burro 13 foot and a 2015 Casita Spitit Deluxe 17 ft.
Washington
Posts: 598
Registry
Thanks Teal. I didn't realize it even had a ground.
Sue and Henry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 07:47 PM   #14
Member
 
Name: Bruce
Trailer: Still Looking
Alabama
Posts: 49
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.
Bullington is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
refrigerator


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dometic Refrigerator Doesn't Run Ted E. Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 11 03-01-2007 07:05 PM
Dometic Refrigerator Recall Roger H Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 4 03-01-2007 01:31 PM
HELP! - Dometic Refrigerator ID Help Dan I Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 4 07-31-2006 05:50 PM
Free Dometic Refrigerator Bonnie Copeland Classified Archives 3 02-15-2006 12:50 AM
Dometic Refrigerator - Pay for Shipping Only Bonnie Copeland Classified Archives 0 02-08-2006 01:57 PM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.