Dometic Fridge Improvements

[Route66Rambler]

I can't take credit for either of these things but I will pass on what I have learned.
We have a 2019 MHC 330RL with a Dometic RM1350 13.5 cu ft four door fridge. We have found it works well but can get a bit warm in the fridge in the afternoons-like many others have found.
I read a post on the Montana/Montana HC FB page about this fan assembly for the Dometic fridge and it has great reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dometic-Ref...-/181208057633

It's not expensive so we gave it a try. Easy install as well. The fridge cooled down much quicker than usual with the fan running. Today the fridge has held 35 degrees all day and in direct sunlight. We do not have slide toppers either. The temps have been around 80 here today. VERY pleased with the fan. The air moving inside the fridge is very noticeable and we have no other fans in it the fridge-as a test.

Part two of getting better performance from the Dometic fridge comes from what time of day you turn it on. I read on a SOB forum about the periodic defrost cycle of the Dometic fridges so I looked in my owner's manual and found the same info.

The Dometic RM1350 will go into a scheduled defrost cycle 60 hours after it is turned on. The defrost cycle takes 120 minutes. After that, it will perform a defrost every 48 hours. Knowing this, the manual recommends turning the fridge on between 4pm and 10pm. I turned the fridge on at 1pm yesterday so that the defrost cycle will happen at night when it's coolest instead of in the afternoon or during the day when it will be warmest or when the doors are getting opened often. We do not full time. We are going on a weekend trip and getting the camper packed. We brought the camper home from the storage place, set it up and then turned on the fridge on electric.

Also here is a helpful video with some other fridge maintenance tips that may help all fridges with better performance.

https://changinglanesrv.com/rv-maint...refrigeration/

These things may not help in all situations but they are worth a try. Good luck.

[Jamesb]

Thank you for your post. Learned something new about the defrost cycle. I have already installed two outside vent fans, but at that price and reviews, I will order the ones you linked. Thank you.

[rohrmann]

Originally Posted by Route66Rambler

I can't take credit for either of these things but I will pass on what I have learned.
We have a 2019 MHC 330RL with a Dometic RM1350 13.5 cu ft four door fridge. We have found it works well but can get a bit warm in the fridge in the afternoons-like many others have found.
I read a post on the Montana/Montana HC FB page about this fan assembly for the Dometic fridge and it has great reviews.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dometic-Ref...-/181208057633

It's not expensive so we gave it a try. Easy install as well. The fridge cooled down much quicker than usual with the fan running. Today the fridge has held 35 degrees all day and in direct sunlight. We do not have slide toppers either. The temps have been around 80 here today. VERY pleased with the fan. The air moving inside the fridge is very noticeable and we have no other fans in it the fridge-as a test.

Part two of getting better performance from the Dometic fridge comes from what time of day you turn it on. I read on a SOB forum about the periodic defrost cycle of the Dometic fridges so I looked in my owner's manual and found the same info.

The Dometic RM1350 will go into a scheduled defrost cycle 60 hours after it is turned on. The defrost cycle takes 120 minutes. After that, it will perform a defrost every 48 hours. Knowing this, the manual recommends turning the fridge on between 4pm and 10pm. I turned the fridge on at 1pm yesterday so that the defrost cycle will happen at night when it's coolest instead of in the afternoon or during the day when it will be warmest or when the doors are getting opened often. We do not full time. We are going on a weekend trip and getting the camper packed. We brought the camper home from the storage place, set it up and then turned on the fridge on electric.

Also here is a helpful video with some other fridge maintenance tips that may help all fridges with better performance.

https://changinglanesrv.com/rv-maint...refrigeration/

These things may not help in all situations but they are worth a try. Good luck.

You might also consider installing an ARP device. We’ve had one since 2015 after having our cooling unit replaced the second time.

[TLightning]

The best thing you can do for a Dometic (or Norcold) is replace it with a residential model.

[Dam Worker]

Actually I am more than satisfied with my RV style fridge. I can start my fridge and let it run for a few days or a week without being plugged in and it works great and I still have good battery power. I really like it when boondocking in cold weather, as a residential style fridge and the heater are going to draw a lot of amps, you know dead batteries in the morning. If you are mainly going to stay at one park or do short drives in between parks and always have AC power than maybe the residential style would be better. They both have their strong points and their weaknesses.
I will probably buy one of these fan kits just because it makes sense. Just like getting rid of China bomb Trail King tires and replacing them with Sailun tires.

Tom Marty