Dometic RV Refrigerator Parts and Troubleshooting

Refrigerator

A cold beverage and a way to store leftovers are part of what makes traveling by RV so much better than a standard road trip or even a flight. So when you have a problem with your Dometic RV refrigerator, you want to be able to address it quickly. We’ll go over the most common Dometic RV fridge troubleshooting tips so you can get your fridge back together and your road trip back on track.

Dometic RV refrigerator Parts

To start, it’s important to label the most common RV fridge parts you’ll be dealing with. You’ve got your freezer, fridge, door, and shelves. You know these parts because you see and use them every day, both in your motorhome and in your house. But there’s also the fridge vent, cooling unit, and thermistor.

The thermistor is a small part visible from inside the fridge. This is the wiring that senses the internal temperature of the fridge and regulates it accordingly.

The fridge vent is what circulates hot air away from the fridge. You’ll see the vent either on the side of your RV or on the roof.

And the cooling unit is usually on the side of the RV, sometimes in the underbelly, which you can access by removing a screwed-in panel. The cooling unit is perhaps the most important Dometic RV refrigerator part because it does all the heavy lifting.

Dometic RV Fridge Troubleshooting

Say your Dometic RV refrigerator is not cooling. The problem could be either with the thermistor or the cooling unit. The thermistor might be sensing the internal temperature incorrectly and as a result, not turning the cooling unit on to pump cold air through. Test this with a separate thermometer for an accurate temperature reading. If the reading on your thermometer is much warmer than expected, try replacing the thermistor. You can find these parts online for very little money. Watch a tutorial or two and replace the part yourself. It’s quick and easy and can help you avoid having to call a Dometic RV refrigerator repairman.

Another problem is with the door seal. If your internal temperature is too warm, it might be that the Dometic door is not sealing when closed. Test for this by listening for any air escaping from around the fridge. You can also feel for cool air. If this is the problem, you can also easily replacing the strip of seal around the door frame yourself.

Should you see a yellow stain at the back of your fridge, your problem is likely with a leak. Unfortunately, these are costly problems that require the help of a technician in most cases. And in the worst of cases, they signal the time for a new fridge.

Dometic RV Refrigerator Tips

To keep your fridge running its best, make sure to always park on a level surface. The fridge needs to sit evenly to work properly. Also, try to park in the shade when possible. If it’s hot outside, the fridge has to work harder to keep cool. Anything you can do to affect the temperature will help.

It’s also important to regularly check your Dometic RV fridge vent for debris and to clear it out. This can clog the vent and prevent air from circulating.

Finally, if your fridge runs on propane, make sure the fuel source is well ventilated and stored properly. You should do this regularly to avoid any potential problems as anything relating to the fuel source can be dangerous.

If you take good care of your Dometic RV fridge, you should be able to rely on it for many years to come, as this is a trusted brand in the RV world.

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