Dometic refridgerator not getting cold

[LJohns]

Help! This week I pulled my camper out for the first time since last summer and the Dometic refer/freezer would not get cold. This is the first issue the unit has given me in the 8yrs I have had it. Does anyone have experience with these units I could use some ideas?? Both heater sources gas and electric can heat the coils, the fluid in the coils is making a gurgling sound that I have never heard before. I did not see any fluid leaks.

Can these be recharged? what is the fluid inside of them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.



its a Dometic RM2601 about a 1990 vintage.

 

[Hoefler]

When these units set for awhile, the refrigerant tends to seperate. If you take the unit out and let it set upside down over night, this will allow the refrigerant to mix together again. Then reinstall it and it should work. If not you are probably going to need a coil assembly.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Help! This week I pulled my camper out for the first time since last summer and the Dometic refer/freezer would not get cold. This is the first issue the unit has given me in the 8yrs I have had it. Does anyone have experience with these units I could use some ideas?? Both heater sources gas and electric can heat the coils, the fluid in the coils is making a gurgling sound that I have never heard before. I did not see any fluid leaks.

Can these be recharged? what is the fluid inside of them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.



its a Dometic RM2601 about a 1990 vintage.

The trailer has to be pretty level for the unit to work, operating unlevel will cause the unit to quit, vapor lock I think is the term. The refrigerant is ammonia and water. If there is an ammonia odor inside or outside the unit, you have a leak. Also a leak will sometimes leave a yellow residue. If the unit is leaking it has to come out, it can be refurbished but a new unit is probably the best solution as it is not much more expensive. If it is just vapor locked, driving the trailer around will slosh the refrigerant around and it should start working again. If it is a small portable unit the upside down fix may work but the built in upright units are a little much to remove and re install just to get re started. bg

 

[akshadow]

once had problem with a bad propane regulator. everything "worked" but the refrigerator would not get cold. Had no equipment to test regulator, turned refrigerator upside down for a day, no different. put on a new regulator and it cooled right down like it should.

have you checked for buildup in the flue?

 

[LJohns]

Thanks for the Ideas, before I do the upside down method I will check the flue.

Larry

 

[Dan_69GTX]

If you want detail on how a RV refridge works check out:

http://www.rvmobile.com/TECH/TROUBLE/COOLDOC.HTM#boiler



I've never heard of turning one upside down - I'll have to do some research into that...

For some troubleshooting tips - see:

http://www.rvmobile.com/Tech/Trouble/CoolingD.htm



Dan

 

[paccool]

If both the gas and electric heat sources are working then it has to be the refrigeration side. Does anyone know if the temperature regulator is one unit that controls both gas and electric or if there are seperate controllers for each source?



Stan