Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

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Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

March 14, 2017, 03:26:32 pm

If an rv fridge isn't running, can I assume the problem is the fridge itself, or could the issue exist outside the appliance?

Thanks...

Mimi

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #1 – March 14, 2017, 03:29:20 pm

I've had a few fights with fridges. From thermocouple to control board to electrical connections to the whole cooling unit.

What's happening with it? Is it getting power? Lights come on? What is happening to indicate failure?

There is most likely a service or installation manual for your model which would have basic troubleshooting info. That would be the place to start. But as much info as you can provide here may be helpful.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #2 – March 14, 2017, 04:19:23 pm

Quote from: Opuntia - March 14, 2017, 03:26:32 pm

If an rv fridge isn't running, can I assume the problem is the fridge itself, or could the issue exist outside the appliance?

Thanks...

Mimi

No and yes. Searching with Google under RV refrigerator problems, repairs, tips, etc. will overwhelm you with data.

Chris

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #3 – March 14, 2017, 05:43:25 pm

If it is getting propane and power (assuming it is a computer fridge) it should work. If it does not it is internal. If it is a manual fridge all it needs is propane. The problem with LD fridges is they won't fit through the door for replacement. They need to go out through a window which has to be removed. Because of that some have chosen to replace the cooling unit rather than the complete fridge.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #4 – March 14, 2017, 07:14:08 pm

Thank you all for chiming in. I should have clarified the question. In trying to determine the expenses involved in purchasing a used LD, when a seller states the fridge doesn't work, does that mean a new fridge will solve the problem or, could the problem be more than just replacement?

Thanks...

Mimi

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #5 – March 14, 2017, 07:16:40 pm

Quote from: hbn7hj - March 14, 2017, 05:43:25 pm

If it is getting propane and power (assuming it is a computer fridge) it should work. If it does not it is internal. If it is a manual fridge all it needs is propane. The problem with LD fridges is they won't fit through the door for replacement. They need to go out through a window which has to be removed. Because of that some have chosen to replace the cooling unit rather than the complete fridge.

Oh wow. Wow. Is this because newer fridges are larger than the original? It's a broken fridge in a LD I'm looking at. I don't have any details, so I'm trying to determine repair costs by planning on a worst case scenario.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #6 – March 14, 2017, 07:21:31 pm

Quote from: Chris Horst - March 14, 2017, 04:19:23 pm

Searching with Google under RV refrigerator problems, repairs, tips, etc. will overwhelm you with data.

Chris

Yes, I was overwhelmed not just because of all the information, but RV fridges are far more complex than I realized. Really, it was a TMI moment☺

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #7 – March 14, 2017, 07:25:23 pm

Quote from: LazyMatt - March 14, 2017, 03:29:20 pm

What's happening with it? Is it getting power? Lights come on? What is happening to indicate failure?

I don't know. All I know is it's broken on a LD I'm looking at right now.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #8 – March 14, 2017, 08:25:41 pm

"Oh wow. Wow. Is this because newer fridges are larger than the original? It's a broken fridge in a LD I'm looking at. I don't have any details, so I'm trying to determine repair costs by planning on a worst case scenario."

Nope. Newer ones are the same size. Measure the fridge and then measure the door. I have never watched an LD being built so I don't know when or how they put it in. The door is 20" wide, the fridge is 23.5" or so. The compartment is 18" deep including the door. Add 6" for the cooling unit. The window opening is 30" high with the window unit removed.

I have never personally replaced a fridge.

I would say there is nothing expensive outside the fridge that could keep it from working. It needs propane and 12 volts. The worst thing that could happen to the propane is the regulator at $30.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #9 – March 14, 2017, 08:38:53 pm

HBN7HJ,
You are right on the money on dimensions. I just went and measured lol. Doesn't look like a new fridge would fit through that door even if you took the door off it. But it might fit through the passenger side door opening if you removed the seat and the door. Still not a easy solution.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #10 – March 14, 2017, 09:09:53 pm

I'm going to take a chance here and offer an opinion that may be subject to correction. After playing around with our Dometic on a few occasions, I finally sat and down and studied the various sources of information and came away with one primary conclusion: the regulator on an absorption (RV) refrigerator is necessary to prevent the unit from getting *too* cold.

That is, the boiling point of the ammonia/hydrogen mixture is around 0F. If the regulator didn't periodically reduce/halt the cycling of gas to liquid cooling process, the entire unit - freezer + refrigerator - would approach 0 degrees. So, the regulator uses the thermostat to determine the optimal refrigeration point between 32-40 degrees. IOW, it allows the refrigerator to warm up a little bit to 32+, not drive it to be cooler.

The point being, if the reefer isn't leaking cooling solution, then any heat source, whether propane flame or electric heating element, should easily boil the coolant and begin the refrigeration process. Just make sure the RV is level - only 1/2 bubble off max - and the evaporator coils should perform their job.

So, when troubleshooting the unit, make sure the propane flue is clean and the flame is burning cleanly. Alternatively, when on shore power, make sure the electric heating unit is hot enough to heat & boil the refrigerant.

If the information above is incorrect, I'd enjoy the clarification. All I know is I can now get my reefer to 32 degrees within 4 hours of bringing it home from storage. Maybe it's just happy coincidence, but my flue is clean, the flame is bright, my RV is level, and we're ready to go really quickly.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #11 – March 14, 2017, 09:21:18 pm

snerf,

That is a nice easy description. Thank you!

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #12 – March 15, 2017, 08:02:40 am

I looked at the "Lazy Daze Companion" )LDC) and found five articles for the term "refrigerator." This article addresses troubleshooting, and has links to other non-LDC pages.

An answer to Mimi's question is that a typical RV refrigerator requires this "environment":

1) 12V DC electricity
2) Propane
3) A correct and unimpaired physical installation

and optionally

4) 120V AC electricity

Faults in the first three will prevent the refrigerator from running, or running correctly.

Mark H

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #13 – March 15, 2017, 11:24:40 am

We got our replacement fridge through the window of our 2003 RB. We did not have to remove the window. That may not work if some LD has a different size window.😮

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #14 – March 15, 2017, 06:12:14 pm

WOW! What a timely thread!!!

As it happens the day I arrived at the Morro Bay GTG my fridge quit cooling. It's original to my 2004 30'IB. I park it in my side yard and the fridge has been plugged in virtually since day one. That's 365 X 13, a mighty effort and I'm pleased at that dependable service.

But now it's deceased! At first I/we could not find a reason, outside of a small amount of yellow residue near the burner. A week later when I had access to shore power and attempted to start it I was greeted by an overpowering odor of Ammonia. That settled the question... now to find a good solution.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #15 – March 15, 2017, 07:29:17 pm

Ammonia = cooling unit. If one is inclined, replacing the cooling unit on the fridge is not terribly hard. It's a lot of parts, a lot of steps, but methodical.

You have to have the strength of two men and a boy to lower and lift the fridge, so strong helpers are needed. At the end of my project when I did it - the hardest part of it was removing the industrial strength polymer from the future that LD uses as caulking or glue for the fridge in place. The rest is mechanical.

I purchased my cooling unit from an "Amish" builder - there are several on Ebay. They cost about $4-500. I bought new rather than refurb, as I recall but it's been a while.

Price wise - someone would have done the cooling unit for about $1100, a new fridge for about $1300 or I could replace myself for that price. I don't think I'd do it again but it can be done!

The fridge worked like a champ after that.

Re: Anything extraneous to fridge that could cause failure?

Reply #16 – March 15, 2017, 08:39:34 pm

The simple answer is if it doesn't work, deduct $1500.
It might be a simple fix, assume it isn't .

Larry

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