fridge temp
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8185
Printed Date: 06 May 2024 at 4:09am
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Topic: fridge temp
Posted By: osage
Subject: fridge temp
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2016 at 6:34pm
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95 in the shade here in eastern Kansas today Fridge set on 5 temp in fridge is running at 50. fridge coil fans not running is there any way to check the cooling coil thermal switch. |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2016 at 9:43pm
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What kind of power is the fridge on? Needs to be shore power or propane. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2016 at 6:19pm
| fridge is on 110 volts |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2016 at 6:35pm
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IIRC my RPOD fridge would only maintain 40 degrees F below outside ambient. Looks like you're 5 degrees to the good.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2016 at 7:27pm
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+1 I agree ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2016 at 10:13pm
| but shouldn't the cooling fans come on |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2016 at 12:04am
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Here is a schematic of the Dometric RM-8501 showing the 2 fans. They are controlled by a thermal switch mounted on the condenser coil.
uploads/2642/sch_rm_8501.pdf - sch_rm_8501.pdf ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2016 at 9:49pm
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Mine stayed in the upper 30's even in hot temps. Same for my current fridge. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 9:33am
| got the fridge to cool ok now had to move the thermal switch to the right hand side of the cooling coils now the fans come on cools the the mid 30 to40 degree area was 96 here friday |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 10:36am
Was this accessible from the outside or did you have to pull out the fridge? Any before/after pictures?
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Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 10:47am
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Was this accessible from the outside or did you have to pull out the fridge? Any before/after pictures?
I posted a picture of the fans in another post. You will need a mirror to see the fans, and if you follow the red wire taped to the back side of the refrigerator it will end at the switch. You need to remove the upper vent cover to see the switch. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8153 ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 10:56am
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Thx.... Any idea why the fans were not coming on due to the location? I wonder if the thermal switch not close enough to the heat source, or was it too close to the fans and prematurely shutting down due to incorrect readings? This must be is a common issue.......
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Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 11:40am
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Here are some articles on cooling fans and different mounting locations. I have had no problem with my refrigerator fans mounting location and they only come on whens its warm outside
https://www.arprv.com/rv-fridge-fan.php http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/fridge_vent.htm ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 1:51pm
| Interesting articles. Ill have to see how mine is set up..... |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2016 at 9:52pm
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This bears emphasizing - see the first article linked by JandL, the first diagram. You'll see a baffle shown in green, but it isn't discussed. You must make sure there is a good baffle between the upper and lower sections. The factory baffle is always flimsy so it falls down, or doesn't seal right. It is supposed to force air flow over the black tubing (absorber). The 2nd article (briefly) discusses baffles about half-way down. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 6:14am
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I only recall seeing 1 fan on mine. What temp should it come on? ------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 10:52am
| from the outside top opening |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 12:51pm
| outside top opening |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 1:31pm
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Here are some pictures of the switch and fan on my trailer. The switch clips on to the condenser tube and it is set to open at 70C (158F) and close at ?. All are accessed thru the upper vent cover on the outside of the trailer
vent cover remover 
Temp switch 
Fans  ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2016 at 8:08am
can you guys simplify this i recently asked this exact question regarding fans, mine don't seem to come on in any temperature. hogone
------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2016 at 11:07am
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hogone, it's a normally open temperature controlled switch that activates the fans at 90 degrees I think and any number of things can prevent them from working properly.
osage seemed to solve the problem by moving the switch closer to the heat source. What kind of temps are you getting from your fridge? The high 30s is great! ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2016 at 3:17pm
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ya, i run in the high 30's even in high heat but hog one wants to be colder!  i guess just wondering why those fans never come on. oh well no biggy, heading out to see mamas pride and night ranger. hogone------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2016 at 4:27pm
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I have the same problem Jon. Have had our 177 since March 2011 and have never heard those muffin fans come on. Just did a test 15 minutes ago to see if they actually work. Took off the 2 spade connectors (they have red wires attached) and ran a jumper to connect them together. Found out they actually work, should have seen the dust blow off those fans! Anyway, I figured the thermal switch must be kapoot so took that off and tested that by holding a lighter under it. In about 3 seconds I heard a click so I immediately took my volt meter and tested for continuity, which I had. About 25 seconds later it clicked off so it must work, just odd that with the 'warm' weather we have had that it doesn't activate. May have to find another location where the temp will be warmer. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2016 at 6:40pm
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On my original post and pictures on page 2, I though the F70-10C marking on the thermo switch meant 70 degree Fahrenheit. I have found out it is 70 centigrade so that makes it 158F. Some other people on the internet have said the Dometic Refrigerator Thermodisc with Fan Clip #2412906204 is rated to turn on at 150F. Right now at my house it's 100F and I turned on the refrigerator and you can hear the fan turn on intermittently. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2016 at 10:06pm
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I will not complain that it is currently 71 with a low tonight of 62. Now that is great sleeping weather. Thanks for that part #. Next time it gets warm and if it doesn't turn on, I will order a replacement.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Patriot Dave
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2016 at 11:02am
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Fellas I am following this closely.
We had our new 2016 , 179 out last week and it was hot and humid outside. It was our first trip. I could not get the frig below 39 and that would take all night. As soon as we started using the frig the temp would go to the middle to upper 40's and then after it would set until the next meal, it would never get below 41 - 42. I was glad we had a cooler with us but I had to drive a fair distance everyday to get ice. As soon as I get a chance I will check the fans operation. Thanks ------------- Dave & Joyce Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2016 at 9:37pm
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Just checking that everyone has their fridge set for the max cooling setting (largest snowflake)? Also be sure there is a well-constructed baffle between the lower and higher "chambers" at the rear of the fridge which forces the air flow only through the coils. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: texman
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2017 at 9:38am
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Very good stuff here. Mine cools in the high 30's, but i will definitely have a look in there now that i have some idea what i am looking at.
------------- TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9122&title=texman-182g-mods - TexManMods |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2017 at 6:50pm
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Watching this post. Painted my reefer grills today after adding screens to keep mud daubers out. I have one fan. I bypassed switch and fan ran. I have never heard the fan run. Understand maybe ambient temp wasn't enough. Not sure what "move to the right means" everything is as delivered. The fact fan runs doesn't convince me switch is good or bad. Any comment appreciated. Thanks. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2017 at 11:24am
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Today I pulled the switch, secured to work bench, connected ohm meter, heated with a heat gun and monitored temps with infared heat gun. Here is markings on switch - 36TXE32, 14582, F70-10C, S1303. The ambient air temp was 40F. The switch was open. Heated with heat gun the switch closed at approximately 65-70F. It stayed closed until switch cooled, somewhere above 60F. Switching actions all took place well below 150F. I think my switch works. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |