Refrigerator problems

[Roy & Georgia]

Hello All! I'm finally back. Had some issues with my I-pad and couldn't open up my MOC anymore. Anyway, I finally got a new computer and now I'm back up. The issue I'm having is with my Dometic frig. The temp fluctuates anywhere between 37 and 54 deg. I have the thermostate set at number 4. the outside temp HAS been ranging around 100 deg. Any idea what I should check or try? It's a 2015 375FLF Mountaineer.

[Foldbak]

There is so much discussion about his. I'm dealing with it on a 2020 Dometic. First don't rely on the LED read out assuming yours has one. Get a digital thermometer for the frig and freezer.
https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-Refri...908654109&th=1
Test it over a few days and get real temp results. Check your door seals by using a piece of paper or a dollar bill and place it in various ares, close the door and pull slowly. If there is no pressure pulling it out, the seals need to be replace. Place a battery operated fan in the fridge and see if that make a difference.
https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-Refri...908654109&th=1
Check the drain tube and make sure it's clear. If you have a thermister on your cooling fins in the fridge, Slide it up to the top of the fin. Open the top exterior vent and make sure it's clear.

You can add external fans to draw hot air out and an internal fan to move air.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB23W48GcW0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2XY-cisIXU

Lots of info on you tube. One last thing, my understanding is that an RV fridge lifespan is about 10 years. You could have a failing cooling unit which can be replace or upgraded. I'll let other chime in.

[1retired06]

I installed two fans at the bottom of the frig (lower vent door) facing up. That helps push the heat from the cooling unit up and out the top vent. Made a difference for us.

[Harrisden54]

I had the same problems with the Dometic 1350. Put high output fan outside to pull more air through, put a usb fan in top of fridge, made sure center flap was closed. Still would get in low to mid 40's on hot days. Finally went to JC Refrigeration in Shipshewana and had a 12 volt dual compressor cooling unit installed. 101 degrees today and fridge is at 34 degrees. Couldn't be happier with JC.

[tjblocker]

A year ago I purchased a new Montana that had a Norcold 2118 fridge. This is a big beautiful stainless fridge. While it is pretty, it didn't work very well at all. In 100 degree weather the freezer would be around 20 and the fridge 45-50. I tried adding fans and the door divider alignment, but the original cooling unit was never going to work well. It was pointless to try. Besides, it was also a power/propane hog!



I upgraded this to a 12 volt dual compressor cooling unit from JC Refrigeration. Today my fridge is rarely above 35 and freezer is always a little below zero. Ice Cream is like concrete. My solar system provides nearly 100% of the power required by the fridge.



I highly recommend JC Refrigeration.

cheers
Tom

[Loneoak]

Read this post of mine from a few years ago:

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=80114

I figured out the problem and my answer is at the end. I hope this helps.

[alwildman]

Originally Posted by Roy & Georgia

Hello All! I'm finally back. Had some issues with my I-pad and couldn't open up my MOC anymore. Anyway, I finally got a new computer and now I'm back up. The issue I'm having is with my Dometic frig. The temp fluctuates anywhere between 37 and 54 deg. I have the thermostate set at number 4. the outside temp HAS been ranging around 100 deg. Any idea what I should check or try? It's a 2015 375FLF Mountaineer.

I read this on another post. Take your outside back panel off and you will see 4 fans. They are sometimes blocked with wood or metal to force the air up. I removed my wood and all four of my fans were ok. I removed the wood as suggested on YouTube https://youtu.be/QG8_4-erucc?si=F8Xb2kJEKceLOQyi