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08-27-2012, 10:42 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2011 28' International
Enumclaw
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
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Refrigerator seals too tight ???
Hi....the fridge on our 2011 AS...seals WAY too tight!! It has some sort of funky dig your fingers deep in the side of the door and then stand on the other side and jerk, jerk, jerk to get it open. Surely there has to be a better way. Has anyone replaced the door handles on their Domestic ??? Thanks in advance!
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08-27-2012, 11:29 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1988 32' Excella
Bonita
, California
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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This may sound insulting but that's not my intent. Do you realize that the handles have a latch built into them to keep the doors from opening while traveling? Maybe your ripping the latch open. a gentle squeeze of the handle should release the latch and open the door.
__________________
Happiness only real when shared.
Christopher Johnson McCandless
2/12/68 - 8/18/92
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08-28-2012, 12:46 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,369
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Hi, squeeze the release handles.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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08-28-2012, 06:55 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2011 28' International
Enumclaw
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
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Hi...no insult taken. We understand the purpose of the door handles...but there is nothing to squeeze. The handles are flush to the door and in order to open them you have to reach in behind them and push the latch that is keeping the door from opening. But the door has sealed sooooo tight....you have to wrangle the door open. You can hear the thing sealing as soon as you gently move the door to close. A high pitched squeal starts...and next thing you know it's a vacuum lock. I want real door handles....is that something that can be changed out ?
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08-28-2012, 07:22 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1970 23' Safari
2005 30' Classic
1986 31' Sovereign
Lorain
, Ohio
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,645
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My 2005 vacuum locks also. No way short of a paint scrapper are you getting my door open within 20 seconds of closing it. This is especially true for the freezer.
I consider it a feature!
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08-28-2012, 07:42 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic Slideout
2021 33FB Classic
Colleyville
, TX
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,540
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Our replaced frig in our 2004 seals tight as well and I feel it's just the way the things are designed. Somehow, we manage; however, the "Better Half" frequently comments about it. Good luck.
__________________
In dog years, I'm dead!
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08-28-2012, 08:00 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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the freezer becomes hermetically sealed but the lower section should vent through the drain under the coils inside the fridge. check that the drain is not clogged between the inside of the fridge and the drip cup on the back of the fridge.
they must use the same gaskets as the ones that glue themselves to the windows ;-)
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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08-28-2012, 10:28 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richinny
the freezer becomes hermetically sealed but the lower section should vent through the drain under the coils inside the fridge. check that the drain is not clogged between the inside of the fridge and the drip cup on the back of the fridge.
they must use the same gaskets as the ones that glue themselves to the windows ;-)
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This reminds me. I used 303 Aerospace on my windows 2 years ago and they have never stuck since. Try that on the fridge gasket?
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-28-2012, 10:51 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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it might work. give it a try!
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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08-28-2012, 11:51 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,060
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I don't know if home versus RV options have mingled much, but refrigerator/freezer and freezers sometimes have the added option to pump as much warm humid air out of the compartments before it can cause frost via an electrical cycle that begins the moment the interior light goes off when the door closes. We had a freezer that would not be opened for better than a minute after closing the door from that feature. Could that be the squeal you hear after closing the door?
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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08-28-2012, 01:19 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Land Yacht 30 SL
Oakland County
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 506
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Tight Fridge/Freezer Handles
Quote:
Originally Posted by day tripper
Hi....the fridge on our 2011 AS...seals WAY too tight!!
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Our freezer seals tight like that. We have to wait a while after closing it before we can open it again.
The fridge does not seal as tight, though.
A good seal probably helps you to keep the cold in, but it sounds like this is a bit much.
Have you called the manufacturer?
BTW, dznf0g, what is 303 Aerospace?
__________________
Bob & Nancy
2005 ASLYG 30 SO
2009 Wrangler Toad
Michigan
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08-28-2012, 01:26 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michigander
Our freezer seals tight like that. We have to wait a while after closing it before we can open it again.
The fridge does not seal as tight, though.
A good seal probably helps you to keep the cold in, but it sounds like this is a bit much.
Have you called the manufacturer?
BTW, dznf0g, what is 303 Aerospace?
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It is a non-greasy or oily protectant with UV protection. I use it in place of Armour All. Much superior as a protectant for most anything rubber plastic, fiberglass etc. Doesn't attract dust. Works well on those pesky window seals, the propane lid, Classic rear bumpers, plastic vent and skylight covers.....everything plastic. Great stuff. It was designed for NASA for space stuff for the UV protectant properties.
Amazon.com: aerospace protectant 303
PS, I'd use it all over on your glass MH.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-28-2012, 01:43 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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It's the pressure differential created when the warm air you let in by opening the doors cools and contracts. Indicates a real good seal, which is what you want.
To test this theory put a straw or something in the door when you close it so it will allow outside air to enter. Then open it. If it's loose, it's the pressure differential.
doug k
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08-28-2012, 01:46 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,658
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Doug, many of us have fridges open to the outside through the water drain tube. On those, I don't think it's a pressure thing.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-28-2012, 02:52 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Doug, many of us have fridges open to the outside through the water drain tube. On those, I don't think it's a pressure thing.
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You're right, there is a drain tube on the fridge, none on the freezer. The freezer sticks on mine from pressure. Could the fridge drain be plugged.
Try the straw thing.
doug k
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08-28-2012, 06:58 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
You're right, there is a drain tube on the fridge, none on the freezer. The freezer sticks on mine from pressure. Could the fridge drain be plugged.
Try the straw thing.
doug k
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On mine the freezer and fridge stick equally. I think it's a magnet/seal sticking scenario. Drain isn't plugged, ran like a river after a month of frost and ice buildup this summer.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-28-2012, 08:39 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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daytripper, if it's just as sticky with fridge off (room temp inside) then it's a seal question. If it loosens with the fridge off (room temp inside) it's an air pressure differential.
doug k
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08-28-2012, 08:57 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
2011 28' International
Enumclaw
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
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Hi...to be honest we haven't tried it with the fridge off since we usually have it propped open to avoid any mold accumulation. Appreciate all the tips...will try some of them to see if it eliminates the problem. Along those lines...does anyone know if we can change the handles on the domestic ??
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08-28-2012, 09:28 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,702
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day tripper, my suggestion would be to go to the Dometic website. Seems they have all sorts of Q&A on the site.
Good Luck, Derek
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