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Dometic 3 way cooling problems

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#1 robcc

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Posted 12 June 2022 - 09:25 PM

1 yr old Dometic Refrigerator 3 way Model 2193 cooling problems.

 

We’re having some cooling issues on 120V and propane:

This spring there were some odd smells coming from the inside the camper and possibly from the fridge area but no sign of any leakages.

 

120 volt (shore powered): Seems to cool much slower than it’s 1st  year. However the silver chimney is quite hot (the chimney is 105F and 215F at the top T vent using an infa-red thermometer). I used a multimeter and 120V is available at the switch and the fuses seem fine.

 

Propane: Cools a lot less than last year when we inadvertently froze vegetables several times. Now it gets below 33F only at night and mostly stays around 50F on a hot day and propane setting is on high. There is a good blue flame and chimney is 105F (maybe 115 at the bottom) and 215 at the t vent. We used to be able to get it closer to freezing on a hot day.

 

When the fridge is at 50F and struggling to cool the silver fins inside are 42F. All of these temps are on level ground. And while it struggles to cool in the heat of the day (90F) the fridge got to 20F last night when the outside temp was 50F. Hmm.

 

Actions so far:

I’ve cleaned the exterior black fins and blown out dust. I followed the instructions to open the burner box which seemed rather clean. I could not get the burner to drop down to remove (hmm bad design??) but blew on it with compressed air. I didn’t go so far as to remove the jet at this point. Not sure if the Flue tube needs cleaning.

 

Can there be issues with the interior silver fins inside the fridge? What do people think the smell was about and can the ammonia leak and if so can more be added? We have run it a couple of times (more recently) on unlevel ground mostly plugging in shore power in the driveway but not sure if this caused the decrease in cooling capacity. It's on level ground now.


Edited by robcc, 13 June 2022 - 01:02 PM.

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#2 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 13 June 2022 - 12:13 AM

I think this is an issue best handled by Marty and team.

In my 13 years with the Bobcat I haven't had any issues with the 3 way.

Frank


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#3 57Pan

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Posted 13 June 2022 - 05:34 PM

If it hasn’t leaked any ammonia coolant, it could be that it is vapor locked from being ran on an unleveled surface. There are you tube videos on how to take care of that. It sounds like quite an ordeal because I believe you might have to turn your fridge upside down for a moment. I had a issue with cooling last year on propane, it was a problem with my propane regulator. It ran fine on AC.
Search burping your rv frig.

Edited by 57Pan, 13 June 2022 - 05:38 PM.

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#4 Beach

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Posted 13 June 2022 - 06:00 PM

When ambiant temps rise fridge cooling suffers with all aborbtion fridges(some worst than others). A couple things that can help is to be sure your rig is level, not just close but truly level. I removed the single factory cooling fan and installed a twin fan which improved cooling by a few degrees. Here is a link.    https://www.amazon.c...ing fan&qid=165


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#5 camelracer

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Posted 13 June 2022 - 07:06 PM

I don't have any experience with an ammonia leak. My failure was an ammonia dump. I opened the camper door after a rough trail and was almost knocked over by the ammonia in the camper. My fridge was dead after that but it could be that a slow leak would degrade performance.


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#6 robcc

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Posted 15 June 2022 - 12:05 AM

Thanks I'm going to leave it to the experts. Of course any certified Dometic dealer is booked until the fal--onse said Decemberl. So I'm working with a smaller RV mechanic in a few weeks who thinks the issue is with the cooling fins inside the fridge. Maybe its what 57Pan said a vapor lock from being operated on unlevel ground. Turning the fridge upside sounds interesting but it might be the trick. I'll weigh when I get it resolved. 


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#7 daverave

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Posted 04 August 2022 - 08:49 PM

We've been having a slow, gradual degradation of our Dometic fridge on propane since we first got our FWC Hawk in 2016. Unless it is fairly cold outside (like 45* or less) it is rarely satisfactory (although it runs just fine on shore power.) Frankly I'm actually amazed that it does as well as it does. Like you, we are unable to lower the burner to drop enough so I have been unable to inspect or clean the gas orifice. Poor design. The Dometic is far and away the most frustrating aspect of our Hawk. I've gotten to a place where it's just what it is and we manage essentials these days with two coolers and block ice,, restocking every few days.

Honestly, if I had to do it over again, I would go the full monty with solar panels, better battery and a compressor fridge. Or just skip the fridge all together and do high end coolers.

Good luck!


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#8 robcc

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Posted 20 August 2022 - 02:53 PM

An RV mechanic checked it out and he blew out the chimney with a compressor/high pressure hose (more than what's in a can). Small white spider nests came out. It still worked poorly for a week and then it started working like it did when it was new (back 32 F or lower).  So spider nests were the culprit. I guess this is one more reason to get a compressor. 


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