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Topic ClosedDometic fridge problem

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dlatzko View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Sep 2020
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dometic fridge problem
    Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 6:45pm
UPDATE- 

I, too, disconnected the cable from the touchpad and something happened as it now stuck on propane and won't switch to either battery or AC.  For right now, this is OK as I need it to work on propane for me.  But this is clearly a problem with the circuitry in the touchpad  switches, and not with the refrigerator actually working on any of these energy sources.  I'm afraid to disconnect the touchpad again because if I need it stick on anything, it is the propane.  Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  Still trying to figure out how to get a new board for less that the $300-400 everyone is quoting.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 4:28pm
Touch panels are always failing. I've had 2 microwaves fail that way and an oven. The microwaves are a couple hundred bucks so not that terrible, but a $1200 oven and the touch panel is no longer manufactured? Grrrr.

Try removing the connector from the flat cable to the touch panel, cleaning the flat cable with rubbing alcohol and a little agressive rubbing with a q tip, then dry and reassemble. Seems to help for awhile most of the time. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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JA-Pod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 3:53pm
Hi
I had just the opposite,  the RM8501 worked on AC but not on propane or battery,  mine is from a 2017 rpod.  I called Dometic and they wanted $427 for the control board!  so   I removed the board from the control panel,  disconnected the ribbon cable and other wire plug and removed the pressure sensitive touch panel,  reassembled it all and it now works ok for AC, Propane and Battery.  Hopefully it was a one off situation and reseating the board resolved.  We found this did not work after we returned from a trip and planned another adventure,  worked ok on the trip but went to prepare for another trip and found the problem.  go figure.  Hope this helps

john
John & Allison
R-Pod 179 (2017)
Nissan Frontier SL V6 4.0 (2019)
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dwheeze View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 8:30am
I solved the problem!!! I sold the RPODTongue
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dlatzko View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 8:17am
Hi-

I have the identical problem in my 2016 179 with the RM8501 Dometic fridge.  Tried everything.  

The fridge is cooling on battery, just as yours.   Just won't switch to AC or propane.

Did you ever resolve?


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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2020 at 5:15am
+3 on replacing the whole fridge. Absorption fridges use ammonia as the refrigerant so they are continually corroding from the inside out. Life expectancy is about  10 years if you're lucky. Just part of the deal when owning an RV. Save any good control boards out of your old one, they might come in handy, or list them on the flea market, might help another owner out in the future. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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Pod People View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2020 at 3:22pm
We also had a similar issue with the eyebrow control board several years ago-we ended up replacing the entire unit.  It was about $200 more for the unit installed with a warranty than to buy an aftermarket eyebrow control board and installation. As I recall, the entire unit installed was about $1100 and the control board was about $850
We have had no further issues.
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2020 at 9:00am
I replaced the refrigerator on our Pod.  The factory was very helpful in getting the replacement and the installation was easy.  Parts are so expensive for these refrigerators that it is often more sensible to just get a new one.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
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dwheeze View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2020 at 8:55am
I think it is the eyebrow board on the front of the fridge. problem is there are no parts available for this fridge as it is end of life.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2020 at 3:12pm
Unfortunately, as Offgrid states, it is more likely a control board. I had hoped it would be something simpler. Agreed that the boards are crazy expensive. The only thing more expensive is replacing the whole refrigerator.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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