Dometic fridge not adequate in 80+ weather?

[shortcircuit]

[font face="comic sans ms" size="3"]Hello all,
[span]    [/span]We have been enjoying our 14DBS this summer and have had few issues, all of which I could solve myself. However, recently, we camped in 80-90 degree weather and the fridge was not able to maintain 40 deg. or below temperatures. I monitor the inside temp with an industrial meter and probe mounted at the bottom shelf level (about 6 inches from the bottom).
[span] [/span]Our Dometic is model RM2554, 5.0 cu. ft. It has the two upper and lower plastic side vents for the cooling unit. I happened to look in the installation manual for the Dometic unit, and found the upper vent is 1 1/2" lower than it should be. The hot air hovers up there and the fins get pretty warm. Also, in the Dometic installation manual on page 8, it states:
 UPPER AND LOWER SIDE VENT APPLICATION - Choose this type of installation when a roof vent installation is not possible. Baffle should be added. The refrierator [strong]must[/strong] be equipped with fan(s). Note: "[strong]must[/strong]" is in bold type in the manual!
[span]    [/span]Our fridge does not have fans or a baffle. I would assume that this is why our unit has a hard time getting to below 40 degrees when it is above 80 outside. I am going to try to contact the dealer to see what fans and baffle are available for this fridge.
Anyone else have this issue?
[/font]

[tinkeringtechie]

It looks like the RM2554 is a three way fridge. Which of the three power sources are you using?

[shortcircuit]

[font face="comic sans ms" size="3"]120 vac at the campground. Propane on the road. I do not use the 12 volt selection.
It's pretty iffy on the road. There is a lot of heat in the upper area around the fins when we stop at a rest area. With the upper vent 1 1/2" lower than it should be, the heat lingers up there. I have read on other forums that the heat must be rmoved for the fridge to work properly. [/font]

[leslie]

Is your Camplite still under warranty? Could a dealer fix this?

[bobbie56]

I have just used a simple computer case fan (12 volts) in the upper vent, run that to help move the air.

[shortcircuit]

[font face="comic sans ms" size="3"]Hello all,
Thanks for the responses. I have contacted the dealer where we bought the trailer and they will look into it. They will test the fridge for a few days to see what is happening. I bought a 12 volt fan at an electronics store, but I will wait and see what happens at the dealer.
Happy camping![/font]

[ktnm8135]

I have the same refrig and the same issue. Let us know what the fix is.

[pinstriper]

I have a 14DBS and we just camped in 80deg. On "3", it wouldn't defrost a pack of hot dogs in the fridge compartment.

80 was the high, mind you, overnights around 60.

Dunno if its the same exact model reefer. Dometic 3-day, standard issue (XL package).

[ktnm8135]

On our 14 db, the cabinet above he refrig gets pretty hot. Is that normal?

[shortcircuit]

[quote source="/post/3301/thread" timestamp="1409872433" author="@woody"]

On our 14 db, the cabinet above he refrig gets pretty hot. Is that normal?
[/quote]Ours gets warm as well. The heat from the fridge "burner" rises up to the top of the back side and heats up the floor of the storage area above the fridge. I assume that if we get our unit "fixed", then it will not be so hot there. The answer to a inadequately working fridge IMHO is getting the heat out of the cooling unit area, as I have read on other forums as well. Hot air  rises. It's suppose to rise up and out the top vent. Ours doesn't do that very well. That's why it is at the dealer now for an evaluation.

[hdrehder]

[quote source="/post/3306/thread" timestamp="1409877752" author="@shortcircuit"][quote source="/post/3301/thread" timestamp="1409872433" author="@woody"]On our 14 db, the cabinet above he refrig gets pretty hot. Is that normal?
[/quote]Ours gets warm as well. The heat from the fridge "burner" rises up to the top of the back side and heats up the floor of the storage area above the fridge. I assume that if we get our unit "fixed", then it will not be so hot there. The answer to a inadequately working fridge IMHO is getting the heat out of the cooling unit area, as I have read on other forums as well. Hot air  rises. It's suppose to rise up and out the top vent. Ours doesn't do that very well. That's why it is at the dealer now for an evaluation.
[/quote]Same issue with our "pantry" area above the fridge.  Curious to learn what the dealer tells shortcircuit.  Glad Woody brought it up as I had been thinking of posing to the group as well.

[ktnm8135]

Any news on refrigerator?

[shortcircuit]

[quote source="/post/3591/thread" timestamp="1410825393" author="@woody"]

Any news on refrigerator?
[/quote]
[font size="3"]Hello Woody,
[span]    [/span]I wanted to get some pictures and dimensions before replying, but for now, the fridge is working very well after coming back from the dealer. As I suspected, they installed a 12 volt cooling fan and temperature switch in the back of our fridge cooling unit area. It is centered left to right and about 3" below the bottom of the upper vent panel opening and mounted on the inside of the camper wall. It is fastened to the inside wall with two small screws and an L bracket so it blows up to the condensor fins at the top of the fridge unit. The fan is about 2 1/2" in diameter similar to a computer fan. It keeps the top area much cooler now, blowing the hot air out the top vent slots. I can list details and some pics after I get the info from our trailer such as the location of the fan and the switch.
[span]    [/span]I also went to the local Lowes and bought 2 bags of fiberglass insulation (2" x 24" x 48") and put it around the side walls and top around the fridge. There was not enough there to block the hot air from going around the sides of the fridge.
[span]    [/span]I went to the Dometic web site to get their "Diagnostic and Service Manual" form no. 3311143.000. There is some great information on how to make your fridge more efficient. Also go to "YouTube" and search for "Fords RV training and service". They are a rv fridge repair service that is the no. 1 service in the country. Their videos on youtube are well worth watching! They tell you how to determine if your cooling unit is working up to specs both on gas and electric. 
[span]    Happy camping to you all![/span][/font]

[ktnm8135]

Thanks for the update, I'm gonna try insulation and upper vent baffle. If that don't work, just gonna take fridge out and install an ARB 12 volt frig/freezer. Thanks again, all info helps.

[shortcircuit]

[font face="comic sans ms" size="3"]By the way, the dealer installed the fan and switch for free. The factory warranty covered it![/font]