Refrigerator issue

[RickJacobs13]

Picked up my late Grandfathers AS this weekend and brought to Ohio from Florida. I have many many questions but will start with this one. The Dometic model 2820 installed in 2002 and used very little is blowing the 5A fuse inside the black plastic box behind the refrigerator. I turn off the power in the back replace the fuse and then turn the power back on. My daughter goes inside and turns on the refrigerator as soon as it calls for power it blows the fuse and then clicks over to LP and try's to fire. I do not have the gas on so I'm not sure if it will run or not. Can anyone guide me into the next place to look?

Thanks
Rick

[PaulnGina]

I looked for a manual for your fridge... found it here: http://www.dometic.com/QBankFiles3/E...nual_17596.pdf

Page 11 says the 5A fuse is for the AC heater. Page 15 lists the part number for the heater..... 17 37 42-18/0. I would figure out where that heater is, look for any obvious shorts, eliminate them if possible. Otherwise, order a new heater and install it... maybe here?? Dometic 110 Volt AC Heating Element 3850644422 (325W 120V) -

[lewster]

Your 120VAC heating element probably has an internal short in the cal rod. It needs to be replaced. A simple continuity test will confirm this.

Just be prepared for a real tussle trying to remove it from it's steel tube housing.

[RickJacobs13]

Thank you for the help, you are both right. I put in a new fuse pulled the J7 and J8 plug from the board and turned on the ref. The ac light came on and the fuse didn't blow. I turned the ref off right away and then began removing the heating element. Again you are right it was hard to remove. First problem is whoever installed the last heater didn't put it in the tube. It was shoved down inside the insulation next to the tube. It was fused and broke off when I removed it. I ordered a replacement element on Amazon for $45 and free freight. It will arrive on Friday.

Thank you again for the help.

Rick

[PaulnGina]

Don't you just LOVE Amazon? I get a lot of stuff from them. If they have it, they'll have the best deal. Too bad they don't sell Airstreams!

[RickJacobs13]

Use Amazon everyday to order parts and other items we use at my Job. Save thousands of dollars a year for my company.