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Blischke · 08-27-2023, 02:27 PM

Hi - we have a 2015 19’ International with a Domestic RM2451 Refrigerator. On our last trip, we noticed that the cooling fan was not operating while running the refrigerator on propane. The refrigerator still worked although it did get a little warm. Since returning home, I have begun to troubleshoot the fan to see whether it simply needs replacement or whether there is something else going on. I have also consulted a variety of posts on this topic.

I determined that the fan does not work whether I am operating the refrigerator using shore power or propane. I used a volt meter to confirm that DC power was reaching the 12 volt terminal block. It also appears that power going to the control panel on the front of the refrigerator since the auto light comes on. The two fuses on the circuit board also appear to be good.

However, it does not appear that DC power is reaching the thermal switch attached to the cooling fins (right hand side of the first photo). The red (hot) wire that attaches to the thermal switch comes out of the wall of the compartment behind refrigerator (second photo). I am not sure where this wire comes from. Maybe it originates from the control panel?

At this point, I am thinking that it may be a problem with the circuit board but I would like to test this theory further before replacing. Does anyone have any additional suggestions regarding what additional testing I should perform to further troubleshoot this problem?

Thank you.

ITSNO60 · 08-27-2023, 02:30 PM

On my Dometic the thermal switch switches the ground and the fan always has hot.

Ray Eklund · 08-27-2023, 07:44 PM

My 2006 23 foot Safari was a nightmare with the Refer Fan. I never heard of such a part and it is about the diameter of a nickel and small than a quarter. It attaches to the Fins on the outside compartment, when you open the vent door.

After I found a Snap Switch that worked, simple to plug and unplug the wiring and the switch has two metal screws. They turn ON at a specific temperature and turn OFF once cooled below the switch temperature activation. They are also used in computers to cool the interior. Find a quiet FAN. The 2006 Fan was noisy all of the time it was operating.

After I found a Snap Switch that worked... never had another problem, as the Ammonia System broke at a weld and I tossed the original Dometic out and installed a new one. Took care of Snap Switches. What a PIA.

Worked fine for 8 years and bought a 25 foot International that never had a Snap Switch problem. Nor my current 2019 27 foot FBQ, if it has one.

Some install TWO or THREE Better Fans for better cooling and helps the Dometic operate better. Computer Fans might have been the option. They are ALL Kinds of Fans. Good Luck.

When the snap switch gets hot on a Fin, it 'snaps the switch' for 12 volts. When the temperature cools the Fin, it opens the circuit and shuts the fan off.

Maybe check the switch first... and then go insane as I have over fixing Airstreams.

Blischke · 09-01-2023, 09:13 PM

Thanks to everyone who responded. The resolution to my refrigerator fan not working was much more simple than I anticipated. After consulting my various manuals and testing all the wires in the compartment behind the refrigerator, I was able to conclude that the red and white wires entering the rear compartment were putting out the necessary voltage (see first attached photo) and the fan was working properly. I was not able to test the thermal switch due to the lack of voltage.

However, I could not determine the source of the three wires that entered the rear compartment from the lower right as I mentioned in my earlier post. The red and blue wires which operated the fan were not putting out the necessary voltage. Further, I was not able to find the fan on the Dometic wiring diagram which led me to believe that the fan was something that Airstream added to cool the back of the refrigerator using the two vents - pulling air from the lower vent and forcing it out the upper vent.

Then it came to me - there was a switch on the left just inside our front door (see second attached photo) that was close to where the three wires entered the rear compartment. When I flipped the switch and tested the wires - there it was - a shade under 14 volts. I had never understood the purpose of the switch and had never turned it off. However, we had some work done recently on our trailer and the Airstream folks must have turned the switch off for some reason. It seems the only purpose of the switch is to allow the refrigerator cooling fan to be turned off. For example, the cooling fan is making too much noise at night - which happened from time to time when the fan caused the screen inside the vent to vibrate. During my investigation I was able to bend the fan back away from the vent thus quieting the fan noise substantially.

I assume that others are aware of the fan switch and its purpose - but for those who do not, I hope this information is useful.

Eric