Dinosaur Board

[Ed Benson]

Just wanted to report on an improvement added to our 2004 Mountaineer. After part timing for a season, I was dismayed that the Dometic Americana refridgerator was not adjustable for temperature. The dealer installed a different sensor thermistor on the fins - helped, but not alot. I contacted www.rvmobil.com/parts/dinosaur.htm and purchased an aftermarket Dinosaur control board for the fridge. Installation was one for one and the new board has an adjustment for temperature on it - works great.

[Montana_2785]

Ed, what did that board cost you? I've been fussing about the same thing on mine...

Eric

[illapah]

I must be doing something wrong as that web address puts me in some kind of generic web select for rv mobile

[illapah]

I did a search and found this one for $156:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...r-dinosaur.htm

[sreigle]

That white slider (the sensor?) on the far right fin slides up and down. That serves to adjust the temperature setting. Our new Americana even has a decal on the inside telling you to slide it up for colder, down for warmer. Our old one (2003 model) worked the same but did not have the decal.

Nevertheless, I don't think you can go wrong with the dinosaur board. I've never had to buy one (yet) but have been told over and over by people with many years of RV experience that when I need one, get the dinosaur. And I will, when we need it.

[Montana_2785]

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

That white slider (the sensor?) on the far right fin slides up and down. That serves to adjust the temperature setting. [...]

I've played with the position of the sensor and have it in what everyone here says is the coldest position. It doesn't cut it. This thing will almost not make ice. It takes over 24 hours for ice to finish freezing. It is definitely not as cold as our old Serval was...

Eric

[sreigle]

Eric, something definitely sounds wrong with yours. Ours does ice great and gets ice cream so hard sometimes we nuke it a few seconds to be able to dip it out. And we keep our freezer and fridge pretty full. But I'd not relish trying to convince Dometic something's wrong since it does freeze ice, etc., even though I'd not find your situation satisfactory, either.

[Montana_2785]

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

Eric, something definitely sounds wrong with yours. Ours does ice great and gets ice cream so hard sometimes we nuke it a few seconds to be able to dip it out.[...]

Well, it isn't a warranty issue as I'm a second owner. I suspect a control issue with the board. I've slated this as something to look into next year. I've already poured quite a bit of $$$ into this thing taking care of more pressing things that annoy me.

Eric

[Ed Benson]

More info on the Dinosaur board for the Dometic Americana. Sorry to not have included all the details in the origional post. After pulling my invoice - The actual order point was www.rg-electrospec.com which is the web address for R&G Electronic Speciality, 1324 LaGranada Dr., Thousand Oaks, Ca., 91362-2140.

The part # for the board I ordered and installed was Micro P-711 and I paid $105.00 with $5.00 s&h.

This board fits a miriad of Dometic refers.

I talked with Roy @ R&G before ordering and was assured of the correct part - and it did indeed install seamlessly.

[harleyrider]

Where is this board??On the inside of the outside cover??And how easy is the install?Thanks for your help.

[Ed Benson]

Harleyrider - the board is just inside and to the lower left when you remove the outside cover. All the terminals are numbered to match the wiring and the change over is a one to one. You will have an extra terminal on the Dinosaur board to accomodate the 12vdc for a 3 way fridge - but mine is only a 2 way - 120vac or gas - so that terminal was a spare. Anyway, I installed the new board and set the temperature adjustment to about mid range. My fridge now hovers in the ~ 37 - 39 deg. F. range with no frost damage in the lower compartments. Good luck -

[jrgwdenner]

Yeah, we found our fin! I thought it was going to be like the hidey hole but we do have a fin. Our 'frig is working great, maybe just a little cold so we adjusted that. Thanks, Steve.