Dometic fridge warm on ac in French alps

[Charlie9038]

Hi,we have a problem with our fridge on 240v ac, since being in the French alps warm here at 30 degrees. The fridge will not go below 12 deg, freezer seems ok. I have tried it on gas and does seem to be getting a lot colder at around 7 deg, is this because the fridge runs better on gas?
I have taken the grill cover off for now and now have a fan running over the evap to help cool it all down time will tell. Has anyone else had this issue when we are in warmer climates?

 

[Richard n Ann]

We had a similar issue, the fridge evaporator stopped frosting but the freezer was ok and both were a bit colder on gas. Turned out the heat transfer paste behind the fins needed renewing. Worked fine ever since.

 

[Granjan]

When it’s hot we switch to run ours on gas and try to shade van side with the awning, it does seem to work much better.

 

[Charlie9038]

When it’s hot we switch to run ours on gas and try to shade van side with the awning, it does seem to work much better.

Have taken the grill cover off for now & have a fan on the evaporator fins, already cooled by 2 degrees, in less than 1 hour seem to think these fridges struggle above 28 degrees on ac. Might fit a pc fan on the evaporators fins when I get back to the Uk, has anyone else tried this?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Have taken the grill cover off for now & have a fan on the evaporator fins, already cooled by 2 degrees, in less than 1 hour seem to think these fridges struggle above 28 degrees on ac. Might fit a pc fan on the evaporators fins when I get back to the Uk, has anyone else tried this?

Some do and seem to like it, but fan motors introduce heat themselves, you may think it's insignificant but commercial fridges get really hot inside due to the fans running when the plant fails.
Also I like the fact the bottom of the fridge is cooler and the top can be used for butter eggs etc.

Oh also. Important... the thermostat which is attached to the evaporator, is made to switch off at say minus 6°c. When you fit a fan on it, -6°c can never be achieved until the whole compartment is MINUS 6 (would never happen but it would use lots of gas trying) . So in order to have any control of the temperature you would need to fit a bottle cooler stat in the return air.

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[Richard n Ann]

Have taken the grill cover off for now & have a fan on the evaporator fins

Or do you mean condenser fins? The ones outside that are hot.

 

[Camping Gaza]

Yes in central france when it hit 40c a few years ago. You need more airflow through the outside vents. Fit a fridge fan may help

 

[Charlie9038]

Or do you mean condenser fins? The ones outside that are hot.

Yes the ones outside are hot, hence the fan to cool them down a bit

 

[Charlie9038]

Yes in central france when it hit 40c a few years ago. You need more airflow through the outside vents. Fit a fridge fan may help

Sound perfect, where can I get these? Any ideas

 

[Lenny HB]

Depends on the model the size of the heating element varies ours is 250 watt some are under 200.
I fitted 2 fans on the top grill and a fan inside the fridge.

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[Camping Gaza]

Sound perfect, where can I get these? Any ideas

Ebay or amazon 35 quid ish

 

[Reallyretired]

I have two 5" computer fans in the top vent controlled by a controller from ebay. Around £15 for the lot. Works brilliantly though not silent. Some have wired the two fans in series thus slowing them and making them quieter.