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Topic: Speaking of Dometic fridges (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Speaking of Dometic fridges
Yahoo Message Number: 102385
In past postings, I have suggested the consideration of Dometic's "New Generation" fridges as a replacement for the ones put in by the Mothership.  In my case, a model RM3726 replaced a RM2662.  One does indeed get another cubic foot of storage capacity in the same "cutout" or hole in the wall.  And the LED temperature display if useful too.
 When installed last November, there were no recalls or fixes on it.  I had hoped that "New Generation" meant that the design flaw requiring those recalls had been taken care of.  But, I was giving Dometic too much credit.  A stop at the closest Camping World to check out a problem of the fridge quitting operation on LP at highway speeds got a recall fix installed.  Leave it to CW to screw up the fix because three days later the fridge quit working altogether.  It acted as if a electrical fuse had blown, but I traced it to a thermal fuse that is part of "the fix". During that 100 mile roundtrip to CW it took a lot time to explain to the "service manager" what the problem was.  Where do they get these guys?  Eventually, they did replace the thermal fuse at no charge.
 "The fix" does appear to be a bit different from the one installed on my old fridge.  For one thing, there is now an updated schematic stuck on the sheet metal. Besides the metal enclosure there is thermal fuse mounted on the back wall and a thermal switch mounted on the "chimney".  If either of these opens up, the 12 V will be taken away from the fridge controls and it will be shut down.  The thermal switch opening up would be temporary while the thermal fuse would be permanent.  My memory may be faulty, but I think the fix on my original fridge had two thermal switches.  If so, the reason for change should be clear.  After the fridge cooled off, the thermal switches would close, the fridge would start up again, and a fire would be re-ignited.

The stupidity of having the fridge On/Off switch essentially inside the freezer compartment of the RM3762, I rectified.  I intercepted the wires from the On/Off button and installed a tiny push button on top of the narrow panel that has the LED display.  Now, the freezer door does not have to be opened and we easily turn Off the fridge when pulling into a gas station.  I am tempted to file a complaint about Dometic with NHTSA.  I can easily see an RVer with a marginally working fridge taking the risk of bringing a working fridge (an ignition source running on LP) in proximity to fuel pumps.

Alex Rutchka, SE #4 '05 MB