refrigerator problems

I just made a trip to my local RV dealer to see how they are progressing after a week with my new 2018 Rpod refer (which cools fine on AC and DC but runs 5-7 degrees higher on LP).  They were able to duplicate my complaint while the Dometic was in the Rpod.  But Dometic told them they had to take it out of the Rpod to run the tests, so when they put it in the shop, it's working fine, about 34 degrees only turned up about half way on the temp controller.  He said that today he's going to call Dometic back and discuss the mounting in the Rpod.  He said the sides were hot when he took it out and that indicates the insulation is packed too tight.  He's going to discuss all the mounting problems with them and see if there is some way to increase efficiency.  I'll let them have it another week and see if it does any good for me.

Here is some interesting information on the absorption refrigerator which was developed by Albert Einstein.  Most of the patents were eventually bought out by Electrolux which became Dometic.  Dometic, as Swiss company, had their own absorption refrigerator much earlier, but Einsteins must have been better.  Also it appears there really have been advances in absorption refrigerators that will quadruple their efficiency, but none have made it into production yet.

I had a problem with my Dometic refrigerator not cooling on gas, though it worked fine on AC.  Took it to a local repair shop and they said it was the burner nozzle.  They and I priced the replacement and after shipping it was nearly $200; for a little 3 inch long, 5/8" burner.  I tried to call Dometic and their customer service was horrible and they would not even discuss the sale of parts.  

On our recent trip, we experienced a range of temperatures. When we were headed North and the temperatures were in the 90's, then the refrigerator had a hard time of getting and staying cold. Temperatures would only get down to around 40 at night but climb into the 50's during the day. Once we got to New York and Vermont which had lower ambient temperatures, the refrigerator would consistently have temperatures which got down into the mid to lower 30's at night, but still climbed into the lower 40's during the day. On the return trip south into higher ambient temperatures, our refrigerator once again was having trouble getting down below 40.

My practice is to run on gas except when I have AC available. I have had prior experience with the TV not being able to both charge batteries and run the refrigerator. That is why I use propane. I have cleaned the burner and orifice, but it made no difference in the refrigerator's cooling ability. What I have not done is taken it to get a check of the propane pressure to the burner. I should do that soon. I just don't want to haul the R-Pod to our dealer since that is a 2 1/2 hour drive (110 miles) away from where we live.

Originally posted by osage has anyone ever washed the fins on the fridge. if so how did you do it?