Dometic fridge problem

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   Could use a bit of help.... I have a Dometic fridge RM 8501, in my RPOD 178 (2017). My fridge will only run in DC mode and will not switch to 110Vac or gas. I am more concerned about 110vac, then gas.

 I have checked all my fuses, GFI (in unit and at fridge)  and taken the cover off the back to look for any possible causes like loose wires and such on control module. Propane stove works 😁. I have tried multiple panel combinations to get to switch to shore power or gas but it will not. Panel is operating, as I can power fridge on / off, but it always goes to battery mode. When pod is connected to shore power, it takes DC from convertor board and I was able to camp this weekend. I just cant switch fridge to gas or 120vac... I am extremely frustrated to say the least.

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dwheeze Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Topic: Dometic fridge problem Posted: 20 May 2020 at 12:29pm
	Could use a bit of help.... I have a Dometic fridge RM 8501, in my RPOD 178 (2017). My fridge will only run in DC mode and will not switch to 110Vac or gas. I am more concerned about 110vac, then gas. I have checked all my fuses, GFI (in unit and at fridge) and taken the cover off the back to look for any possible causes like loose wires and such on control module. Propane stove works 😁. I have tried multiple panel combinations to get to switch to shore power or gas but it will not. Panel is operating, as I can power fridge on / off, but it always goes to battery mode. When pod is connected to shore power, it takes DC from convertor board and I was able to camp this weekend. I just cant switch fridge to gas or 120vac... I am extremely frustrated to say the least.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 20 May 2020 at 12:46pm
	Have you checked the AC outlet behind the refrigerator to make sure it has AC power? If it doesn't, is the GFI outlet tripped? Is the breaker for the circuit tripped? Is the trailer plugged in? Were you able to switch it before? Are you pressing the button once? twice? It may take two pushes of the button for it to switch. The fact that it does work at all is good. The default is to return to the last operating state when starting up. Beyond trying these things, you can look at this troubleshooting chart. It isn't specifically for the RM8501, but it does explain how the refrigerator works quite well. https://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/Mandiag.pdf
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

dwheeze Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 20 May 2020 at 1:34pm
	I have done all the items you have suggested.

dwheeze Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 20 May 2020 at 1:34pm
	Stephen all these items have been checked.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 20 May 2020 at 2:19pm
	It probably wouldn't be a problem with the 120Vac power as you can't get the control board to select propane operation either. If you've already tried a full reset by removing 12V power at the battery as well as shore power then its sounding like the control board to me. Those are crazy expensive if you can even get one unfortunately. If you do a google search for rm8501 manual one of the links is the manual in pdf format. There is a basic troubleshooting section but also the error codes, which might be helpful.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	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 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

dwheeze Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	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.

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2587	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 Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1066	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

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	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 2015 Rpod 179 - sold