Campers - Has anyone used Dinosaur Electronics?

[dresslered]

I am having a little problem with the Control board on my camper's Dometic refrigerator. When opperating in the gas mode, the circuitry can generate a glitch that drowns out the very low signal from the thermocouple and the refrigerator is RESET to the off position. This leaves me with warm beer! #ad


Apparently, this problem is so well known with Dometic as well as other brands, that there is a company that makes improved circuit boards (http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/). I found a really good write up on the company but was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with them before I "BOMB" my 'fidge. Thanks.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, ETH/DEE, SLT+, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Autometer Ultra-Lite (electric fuel pressure, vacuum), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, SmittyBilt Outland Sport Bumper Gaurd, 2-LO kit, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

 

[Paul Somers]

I have never used the Dinosaur board but if mine went out that is what I would use. I have a friend that replaced his Dometic with a Dinosaur board about two years ago and has had no problem. Was cheaper than a Dometic board also.
Speaking of Dometic, I wish there was an adjustment for temperature balance between freezer and refridge. If set to keep things cold in fridge, ice cream in freezer gets so hard you can't scoop it out. I have written Dometic with no luck.

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Northport,AL. 1999 2500 quad cab, driftwood, 5 speed ISB. Boost and Pyro gauges. Line-x.
Amateur extra W4XH

 

[dresslered]

Thanks Paul for the info. At least somebody has heard of them. Usually, I only have problems with the initial start-up and then it seems to be fine. I would just hate to come back from an all day outing to find the ice cream running down the door! (that's another advantage of the dinosour board is that if your "check" indicator comes on, the 'fridge still defaults to the #3 cold setting).

I have heard that Dometic has poor customer service. In fact, they will not even honor their three-year warrantee (on year's 2 and 3) unless you can show that you've performed an annual full service maintenance on the refrigerator.

 

[burndog]

Yeah I replaced mine with a Dinosaur at Quartzsite this year. The burner would not stay lighted and the check light kept coming on. I'm real happy with their product.
B..... 016spd

 

[dresslered]

Thanks. Looks like the checks in the mail.

 

[kompressor]

I spent hours trouble shooting my Dometic RM2811 refer. The check light kept coming on intermittently. All checked out ok so put in the dinosaur board and no further problems. Got it from marksrv.com.

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98. 5 2500 Quad Cab SLT 2WD, Line-X sprayed bed liner, Westin Chrome step bars, Truck Trunk/top slider
Reese 15K 5th wheel,Pro Flaps (don't laugh they keep the gook of the white/driftwood paint job)
Midland CB/Fire Stick ant. VA plug-n-play

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I just had the same problem with my Dometic. I replaced it with an updated Dometic board and wiring harness that cost about $140 from the local RV place. Took me about 30 minutes to install it.

-Steve

 

[dresslered]

Thanks all, I think that my problem is solved! The only irritating thing about the whole thing is that it has now decided to run perfectly in the back yard for the last couple of days! I just don't want it to go out on a vacation! Will definitely be "BOMBing" with the Dinosaur!

I have a pretty good write-up discussing the problems with the Dometic controller boards as a .pdf file if anyone would like me to send it to them. It also discusses switching the reigniter to a 50-mA version to end the problem of the 25-mA igniters not providing a spark when the battery falls to levels below 12. 5V.

The current Dinosaur MICRO P-711 Power Board seems to be going for about $104.

[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 06-01-2001). ]