Funny Fridge

ArtStream · 12-10-2006, 06:47 AM

Hello chill experts,

I have a 3 year old Domatic 2820 Classic.

It warms up after about a week of operation, Gas/Elec.

Turning it off and than on gets it cooling again.

I thought about the temp probe, and I disconnected it from the control board to see what would happen.

When the probe is disconnected from the circuit board the fridge gets very cold.

So, does this mean that the temp probe if shot?

Michael

**john hd** · 12-10-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

So, does this mean that the temp probe if shot?

possibly, or the board is bad.

john

**wahoonc** · 12-10-2006, 08:02 AM

I vote for a bad board. Get a Dinosaur replacement board. They are much better built than the OEM boards.

Aaron

ArtStream · 12-10-2006, 09:48 AM

A bad board after less than 3 years

. Is that normal?

Michael

**wahoonc** · 12-10-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artlink

A bad board after less than 3 years

. Is that normal?

Michael

I have seen them bad right out of the box. There is a tester that they plug the board into that will tell you if it is bad or not, a decent RV repair center should have one. For some reason the Dometic OEM control boards are basically junk, you would think they would make them better but I guess it is cheaper to just say "oops" and install a new board under warranty rather than put a decent one in to begin with....

Aaron

**john hd** · 12-10-2006, 11:02 AM

ditto what aaron has to say.

i put a dino board in my furnace last year due to a failure. they are as advertised, built to military specs and soldered on both sides of the board.

quality stuff with no questions warrenty.

john

rickandsandi · 12-10-2006, 04:00 PM

I don't know guys, this past September coming home from Yellowstone we stopped at JC to have our frig serviced. After a week on the road it became a freezer. It was actually funny; I woke one morning, started the coffee, took the eggs out and went to crack one and I couldn't. Turns out it was frozen solid! Along with a whole bunch of other stuff. Well we did fine turning it on during the day and off at night. I put a temp guage in it to help regulate the temp. When we got to JC the first thing they did was replace the board. Did not solve the problem. Next a new sensor, that was it. Seems that the sensors go before the boards. If this is any help!

**overlander63** · 12-10-2006, 07:41 PM

If you're handy with money (yeah, right!), you could replace both parts. Or, if it isn't a special order, you could replace the sensor first (should be cheaper) and if it works, you are in business.

ArtStream · 12-10-2006, 08:22 PM

Hi all,
Thanks for the input

I think I'll start with the sensor, wish me luck!
Will follow-up with results.

Terry, new Avatar?

Michael

ArtStream · 08-03-2007, 05:44 PM

It's hard to believe that I have been turning my fridge ON and OFF for over 6 months now.

Well I've had it. Today I had to pull the temp probe from the board in order to get some cold.

Of course I have waited till I'm on the road to order parts

I'm ordering both a Dinosaur board and a new temp probe,
anyone know who has them for a good price?

Oh, did I mention my TV AC just went out too

Man, I'm hot.

ArtStream · 09-15-2007, 04:53 PM

Follow-up to 3 year old, the poorly performing Domatic 2820.

Without replacing any parts, and reinstalling the temp probe to its original place...

1. I selected a quarter round piece of firewood (mesquite) in the classic size for a piece of firewood.

2. Turned fridge OFF and let the coils cool to ambient temp.

3. Grasping firmly, I inserted both my arm and the firewood up into the outside fridge compartment and proceeded (with gusto) to beating about the coils and pipe above the flue (without causing and dents mind you) for a full 90 seconds.

4. THE RESULTS:
The fridge works as it was when new. I have delayed reporting for 3 weeks.
At burning man, with temps in the high 90's the fridge held a temp of 34 degrees at setting 3.
For the past 3 weeks it has held this temp with temps in the 90's.

Said fridge has both an internal fans and a thermostatic controlled vent fan.

I would like to thank Lewester for all his expert help

richinny · 09-15-2007, 05:39 PM

it sounds like an in-the-field service memo! thanks, i'm sure many of us will need and use it.

Royce · 09-15-2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artstream

Follow-up to 3 year old, the poorly performing Domatic 2820.

Without replacing any parts, and reinstalling the temp probe to its original place...

1. I selected a quarter round piece of firewood (mesquite) in the classic size for a piece of firewood.

2. Turned fridge OFF and let the coils cool to ambient temp.

3. Grasping firmly, I inserted both my arm and the firewood up into the outside fridge compartment and proceeded (with gusto) to beating about the coils and pipe above the flue (without causing and dents mind you) for a full 90 seconds.

4. THE RESULTS:
The fridge works as it was when new. I have delayed reporting for 3 weeks.
At burning man, with temps in the high 90's the fridge held a temp of 34 degrees at setting 3.
For the past 3 weeks it has held this temp with temps in the 90's.

Said fridge has both an internal fans and a thermostatic controlled vent fan.

I would like to thank Lewester for all his expert help

So the fridge responed to purcussive repair. I like that.

ArtStream · 09-15-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royce

So the fridge responed to purcussive repair. I like that.

Yes Royce, a form of cupping and clapping!