Refrig issues

[fshrmn43]

My stepsons frig in his rv has stopped working...just wondering if someone might head me in the right direction to check for issues

thanx

[Martian]

What type of fridge?

[fshrmn43]

If your talking brand Im not sure....gotta look and see

[fshrmn43]

I know it runs on electricity or propane

[fshrmn43]

Its a Dometic

[wiredgeorge]

Open the rear (outside) compartment. Look under the cannister on the bottom/right. See any yellow powdery looking stuff? That is the coolant and I just replaced the cooling unit on my Dometic refrigerator. If you don't see any yellow powdery stuff, might have an issue with your control board (bottom/left). One of our more tech savvy folks would have to walk you through trouble shooting the board. The board has both AC and DC connections so if troubleshooting the board, best turn off power. I am sure there is a troubleshooting guide out there somewhere.

[chuckster57]

Need to check for 12VDC at the board. If you remove the cover there is a fuse for the 12V side and a glass fuse for the 120v side.

Start at the plastic connection block where the 12V from the fuse panel connects. follow the positive wire and you may find a "thermal fuse" next to the flue, make sure it has 12V on both sides. after that look for another resetting fuse on the flue.

What model #, it helps to give more specific troubleshooting help.

[fshrmn43]

Thanks for that info bud

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by fshrmn43

Thanks for that info bud

You were given advice by a pro who suggested that the model would help. Open your refrigerator door and there is a sticker on the inside with the make, model and serial number. Best confirm to ensure advice given was for the appropriate refrigerator.

[fshrmn43]

OK will do...thanks

[fshrmn43]

Another question....will the frig run on propane when you are hooked to electricity?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by fshrmn43

Another question....will the frig run on propane when you are hooked to electricity?

You need 12V for the control board to operate, so as long as the battery is good then yes. You’ll need to set the fridge to LP.

[fshrmn43]

I may have found my problem but havent checked it yet....I read that if I dont have DC power the frig will not run so it could be a blown fuse or dead battery Im thinking....fingers crossed

[fshrmn43]

Im no RV wiz...lol...how do I switch to LP if Im hooked to AC....the button on the top of the frig says auto...not sure what that means

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by fshrmn43

Im no RV wiz...lol...how do I switch to LP if Im hooked to AC....the button on the top of the frig says auto...not sure what that means

The button that says auto, if it’s pressed in it’s on AC and the light is lit. If it’s out and the auto light is off it’s on LP.

[fshrmn43]

OK didnt know that

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by fshrmn43

Im no RV wiz...lol...how do I switch to LP if Im hooked to AC....the button on the top of the frig says auto...not sure what that means

The Dometic Owner's Manual covers all of those type questions. If you don't have a copy, you can download one here. Page 6 shows the two types of control panels on the "typical" Dometic refrigerator. Page 8 has the specific instructions on how to switch from AUTO to GAS. Your son's refrigerator is probably the top drawing, the 2652/2852 model.

Essentially, if the yellow light is on, the switch is in AUTO. If you push the switch, the light goes off and the refrigerator is in GAS ONLY mode.

If you think about it, that's the "logical way to operate the light"... With shore power (unlimited power to consume) the light is ON and when you're boondocking on battery power (limited power availability) the light is OFF, to conserve the limited power from the battery.

Here's a link to the Owner's Manual: https://manuals.heartlandowners.org/...or_Dometic.pdf

[fshrmn43]

thanks for the manual

[fshrmn43]

looks like it was just the reset button