Dometic Fridge In Hot Climes (2 Viewers)

Oct 1, 2013
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It's averaging 35c here and the fridge isn't playing. Is this normal ?

I've got it on 24 hours a day on 240 and still the beer is only lukewarm :(

In the mornings (after a cooler night) the milk and fruit juice is quite chilled, but through the day it all warms up :(

Is this just a failing for Dometic in such warm climes ?

It's a bit cooler where we're heading = 28 day and 20 night.

Any tips ? I've seen folk say to turn it upside down, but not sure if that comment was beer driven ;)
 

vwalan

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Sep 23, 2008
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its just what happens . morocco is a favourite even in winter for them playing up. most change to either a 12v compressor fridge or fit a household one through an inverter .
even then older fridges seem to run on modified sine wave inverters but the new fridges require pure sine wave . /and a few solar panels and batteries . i run mine all winter in spain etc . and in summer run an extention lead into the house to run my house fridge and the freezer for nothing off the solar on my trailer . saves about 40p a week.
 
Oct 26, 2014
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were just back from Valence near the Alps and the temperatures were 36c and only dropped to 25c at night and on mains electric the freezer compartment struggled to keep the food frozen
Switched it on to gas and it maintained -18c without any problems

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makems

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Sep 23, 2011
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If you have the fridge set to max, try turning it down to medium. Fridge doesn't work so hard and doesn't generate so much heat so cools better.
It was a tip from Jim (our esteemed leader) and it worked for us in Morocco.
If that doesn't work, try cleaning the flue. If it's full of soot and crap that also reduces the cooling efficiency (again, learnt by experience in Morocco)
Whatever you do, DO NOT use a pin the "clean out" the jet or let anybody else do it. It ruins the jet and the fridge is buggered until you can get a new jet.
Im sure more techie types will be along shortly to give more techie advice.
 
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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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If you have the fridge set to max, try turning it down to medium. Fridge doesn't work so hard and doesn't generate so much heat so cools better.
It was a tip from Jim (our esteemed leader) and it worked for us in Morocco.
If that doesn't work, try cleaning the flue. If it's full of soot and crap that also reduces the cooling efficiency (again, learnt by experience in Morocco)
Whatever you do, DO NOT use a pin the "clean out" the jet or let anybody else do it. It ruins the jet and the fridge is buggered until you can get a new jet.
Im sure more techie types will be along shortly to give more techie advice.
Surely the flue is for gas ? I'm on leccy
 

makems

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We have loads of solar and hardly ever use EHU. I forget that there are others who do things differently.
Lesson learned, don't presume!
 
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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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A compressor fridge is the answer but you can fit fans to improve performance. @Techno100 is the expert.
A bit too late to fit a new fridge to this one, but good idea for next camper:)

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Abacist

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Oct 15, 2013
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The 3 way fridges work best on gas and even better with some supplementary fans to cool them down a bit at the back
 

TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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you need more airflow over the fins at the back in warmer temperatures. a couple of 100mm computer fans do the job fine pulling air out of the top vent. easy diy to make up or buy the ready made kit for about £40. fitting takes about 20 minutes unless you have hands like JCB buckets like mine
 

Cobweb

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In the recent heatwave in France our fridge worked best on gas . We also tried to make sure that the fridge side of the van was in the shade if possible .

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Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
Any fridge working in temps "averaging 35c" will struggle. Fitting a fan or fans to pull the warm air out of top vent will help. Have you tried removing top and bottom vents to allow more air flow around fins?
 

Chris

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Solution to warm beer -

1. buy a bucket.
2. Fill bucket with bought ice
3. Insert beer in bucket
4. Drink all beer before the water gets warm,

Foolproof(y)

Edit - repeat points 1-4 as needed.

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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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Is your van level
A slope can affect the efficiency
Yup. Nice and flat.


And as per advice above, I've taken a panel off to allow more air circulation.

Seems to be working :)

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Lenny HB

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As Abacist say run it on gas and fit a couple of fans in the top vent.
Not only is the fridge more efficent on gas your mains supply on site is probably not much over 200v, even if you have 220v it will not work as well as on 240v in the UK.
 
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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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As Abacist say run it on gas and fit a couple of fans in the top vent.
Not only is the fridge more efficent on gas your mains supply on site is probably not much over 200v, even if you have 220v it will not work as well as on 240v in the UK.
The leccy here is free ;)

I'll try the gas soon :)
 

magicsurfbus

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Oct 11, 2010
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Our Dometic struggles too when it gets hotter.

Setting the thermostat just past middle may help. Also try freezing ice packs in the freezer overnight then putting them in the main compartment during the day. I'm looking at putting a plastic vent in the wooden panel above the fridge door to help heat get out from under the metal draining board. When it's been really labouring you can feel the heat on the draining board.

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TheBig1

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that installation is quite shocking....the gas flue and rear workings should be ventilated to the outside only and a seal fitted to stop gas fumes from filling the van. safer on electric hook up
 
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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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that installation is quite shocking....the gas flue and rear workings should be ventilated to the outside only and a seal fitted to stop gas fumes from filling the van. safer on electric hook up
It is ventilated to the outside only. There's a pipe at the back.
 

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TheBig1

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It is ventilated to the outside only. There's a pipe at the back.
top left of your picture is the flue outlet, but the burner, which is at the back is not a sealed unit, as it requires oxygen to burn
its dangerous to use on gas in that configuration without proper venting and seals. the installation instructions make this clear
 

TheBig1

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It is ventilated to the outside only. There's a pipe at the back.
top left of your picture is the flue outlet, but the burner, which is at the back is not a sealed unit, as it requires oxygen to burn
its dangerous to use on gas in that configuration without proper venting and seals. the installation instructions make this clear
 
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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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top left of your picture is the flue outlet, but the burner, which is at the back is not a sealed unit, as it requires oxygen to burn
its dangerous to use on gas in that configuration without proper venting and seals. the installation instructions make this clear
I'm a numpty with gas and leccy and that just confused me more.
A mate took it all out last year to check things and seemed OK to him.


Hmm. Maybe I'll stick to leccy.

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TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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just been and checked the installation manual

Owner’s Manual 13
ventilation Requirements
WARNING:
The completed installation must:
- Make sure there is sufficient intake of fresh air for
combustion.
- Make sure the living space is completely isolated from
the combustion system of the refrigerator
.
- Make sure there is complete and unrestricted ventilation
of the flue exhaust which, in gas mode, can produce
carbon monoxide. The breathing of carbon monoxide
fumes can cause dizziness, nausea, or in extreme
cases, death.
- Make sure the refrigerator is completely isolated from its
heat generating components through the correct use of
baffles and panel construction.
Certified installation needs one lower intake vent and one upper
exhaust vent. Install the upper exhaust vent either through the
roof or through the side wall of the vehicle exactly as written
in this manual. Any other installation method voids both the
certification and the factory warranty of the refrigerator.
 

TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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many many years! since I was a kid
just been and checked the installation manual

Owner’s Manual 13
ventilation Requirements
WARNING:
The completed installation must:
- Make sure there is sufficient intake of fresh air for
combustion.
- Make sure the living space is completely isolated from
the combustion system of the refrigerator
.
- Make sure there is complete and unrestricted ventilation
of the flue exhaust which, in gas mode, can produce
carbon monoxide. The breathing of carbon monoxide
fumes can cause dizziness, nausea, or in extreme
cases, death.
- Make sure the refrigerator is completely isolated from its
heat generating components through the correct use of
baffles and panel construction.
Certified installation needs one lower intake vent and one upper
exhaust vent. Install the upper exhaust vent either through the
roof or through the side wall of the vehicle exactly as written
in this manual. Any other installation method voids both the
certification and the factory warranty of the refrigerator.
 
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Yorick
Oct 1, 2013
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I just took off the wooden panel. With it fitted the fridge workings ARE isolated.

or maybe I'm numpty.

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TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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I just took off the wooden panel. With it fitted the fridge workings ARE isolated.

or maybe I'm numpty.
sorry mate, but with bikes you know your stuff.....gas youre a numpty

you should have open air vents on the side of the van, top and bottom of the fridge. plus then a metal sheet over the top of the fridge at the back ducting any air and gasses out of the van. whoever installed the fridge that way never read the manual or give a toss about safety.

a partly blocked jet at the gas flame and the carbon monoxide produced could kill you and the dog as you sleep
 

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