Why Dometic and Norcold RV Fridge Fail

Please See: • Why Dometic and Norcol...
KZbin will not let us edit, thus had to re-upload to above address.
Mark Nemeth, technical adviser for Escapees RV club, explains why Dometic and Norcold RV refrigerators fail if they are not protected from overheating by the patented Fridge Defend www.arprv.com/. It is common knowledge that both Dometic and Norcold have had many recalls over the years. The Fridge Defend by ARP Control solved the problem that most of these recalls attempted to resolve, the overheating of the cooling unit boiler. Mark teaches why Dometic and Norcold refrigerators are very safe as long as the cooling unit is not allowed to overheat. In addition, these otherwise great RV refrigerators stay cold and can last the life of your RV when protected from failure by the Fridge Defend. Please see the "How Dometic and Norcold RV Fridge Works" • How Dometic and Norcol... video for how the fluids flow within the cooling unit.

[@mitchvass4498]

Thanks finally a picture of inside the units.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Thanks, we believe at Fridge Defend that knowing how stuff works informs the user how stuff breaks. Thus, one is able to make informed decisions :)

[@katrinaanon1038]

I went over the the Norcold site to check for recalls. At least a portion of these were made prior to 2000, at least for Norcold. For Norcold systems these seem to apply to the 2-door and 4-door systems. It may be on newer systems the fire threat may be lower. It is also apparent that the ARP system does provide for a shutdown of the boiler, which is a plus, on newer systems with maintenance of the system and installing additional cooling fans may be all that is needed. However, if you have an older system you may want to check with your RV shop and find out whether you refer has protective hardware that at least prevents fire risks. I find it rather hard to believe this problem has been ignored by the manufacturers as insurance would be difficult to secure if fires were anything of a problem. Afterall isn't that what recalls are all about?

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Sorry, no that is not the way insurance and manufacture relationships work. And, no, fans do not solve this issue. The boiler is within an insulated housing, if fans solved the problem, the boiler would not work at all. Just try removing the insulation from you Dometic or Norcold and see if it works.

[@joecormier6720]

my RV domatic refrigerator heating element won't come out of the tube. I tried wiggling and even tapping on it just slightly to get it loosen. But it won't come out . do you have any other way that I don't know of that would get that element Out. your help would be grateful.

[@arniehart8634]

Here's an issue I cannot find adressed anywhere Last week we purchased a 2000 Jayco Eagle with a Norcold 621 in it. It seems to operate fine, but the paint (?) on the aluminium plate in the freezer compartment is peeling off of roughly 2/3 of it and the bottom of it is very heavily corroded. The plate covers the bottom, goes up the back and covers the top. The front edges are secured with 3 plastic rivets across the front of the bottom and 3 plastic rivets across the front of the top. The back is secured with 8 bolts, Is this repairable or should I start looking for a replacement? If it is repairable should I remove the plate from the freezer to clean it up and repaint it or should I clean it up in place and repaint it. Is there a recommended paint to use?

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Hi Arnie, the issue you are having is unusual, and could result in other issues if I understand it correctly. If you want to contact us directly it may be easier to dive into the details, use our Contact Us form at www.ARPRV.com

[@fernandolarachavez6225]

Awesome video.. im so interested in this kind of refrigerator.. do you know where can learn to repair?. I live in california near of the border with mexico

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Hi Fernando, depending on where you life by the boarder, we may be able to help you. We travel to San Diego and may be able to help you? Use our website www.ARPRV.com, to learn more and contact us if you like.

[@fernandolarachavez6225]

@@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170 i live exactly en Mexicali Mexico, San diego is relative near.. i will contact you.. thank you!

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

@@fernandolarachavez6225 mucho gusto

[@timayscott8450]

Awesome vid man keep rockin

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Thanks Tim, please share this with your friends, we use no tricks to show how many views (inflated numbers) the video has had. Honesty is the best policy :)

[@brucesannino6181]

Pretty good video, thanks. I come from the marine field and have had lots of experience with Domitic (sp?) LPG refrigerators. I've replaced a lot of them with residential under the counter home store units. The old LPG units I just threw away. Just bought a class C 33' motor home that has a Norcold 12 VDC/120 VAC/ LPG refrigerator. I have no intention of ever useing the LPG mode. My question is, will useing only AC or DC power in the unit reduce, maybe even eliminate the risk of fire? The AC or DC/LPG energy model is hideously energy inefficient in terms of anyway. Plus, in a boat or RV you need a booster ventilating fan or fans to get it to work as efficiently as it's ever going to. Informative, just the facts, to the point video. Please advise and thanks again.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Hi Bruce, thanks for your comments. Regarding "just threw away", not sure what the issues are? We own two Servel refrigerators that were made in the year 1937, both work to this day, that is value! See this link: www.arprv.com/rv-fridge-endurance.php Regarding "I have no intention of ever useing the LPG mode", the LP Gas mode is the reason to use the absorption refrigerator. If you have the power to run a compressor type fridge, then you should use a compressor fridge. And, NO, the boiler of a Dometic or Norcold fridge works the same on gas or electric, therefore the fire risk is the same if you do not control the boiler temperature such as the Fridge Defend does.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

I am sorry I got this 3 years later! The truth is that the LPG mode puts less stress on the cooling unit. The majority of fridge fires occur between 2am and 8am in the morning on shore power (120VAC) power supply. So NO, not using LPG does not protect you from the damage seen in this video.

[@philc.9280]

Enjoyed your video... always wondered how the gas type refrigerators work. Any tips on how to keep proper maintenance on the system. Vacuuming the coils in the back, etc.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Hi Phil, thanks for your kind comments. Please share our videos with your friends. We have a series of web pages on troubleshooting which includes maintenance. For example, did you know that there is a filter in the LP Gas system on your fridge? See this page for a Dometic: www.arprv.com/dometic-does-not-cool.php & this page for a Norcold: www.arprv.com/norcold-will-not-get-cold.php. Also, see our LP Gas Video which also teaches about the LP Gas filter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXOTZGWEpZ5of7M

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

See our website and click on the Troubleshooting menu: www.arprv.com/

[@lamont8121]

It’s ALL about proper air flow through the area in back of ANY RV refrigerator. This is merely a commercial to sell a device that alerts an RV operator that they have failed to operate the fridge per the manufacturer’s instructions and/or lack of maintenance (flue cleaning) that should be carried out every 12 months. This video is merely a sales pitch for something that is already built-in to any RV refrigerator: the thermal cutout switch.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Clearly you do not understand the science, can you view the video's about the recalls you elude to and tell me why they allow the boiler to overheat, even red hot?

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Hi Lamont, when sharing your comments with an environmental engineer, here is what she said: "This guy most likely works for Dometic or Norcold, this is the only motivation to put the public at risk. If manufactures 'already built-in' the Fridge Defend, then they would be infringing the Fridge Defend patent. Have this guy prove that what he says is not a bold faced lie."

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Sorry, this is a very misinformed comment. None of the steps you take control the boiler temperature by detecting the overheat situation. See this: www.arprv.com/#fishbone

[@soillife1]

Good information Low viewership? I gues people dont pay attention until their RV. Burns to the ground.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

Please help do something about the viewership. With RVs parked 10 feet from each other, it is your neighbors RV that will burn your RV to the ground. Each RV that burns destroys a dream and/or a life style at best.

[@jnohorton2054]

Where do you get and what is cost.

[@fridgedefendfordometicorno9170]

@@jnohorton2054 Hi Jno, see this link, if you have questions you can call us, phone number at bottom of each web page: www.arprv.com/purchase.php

[@josephineclayton3304]

I have a dometic rm2852 that is burning hot underneath the fridge, and I have a burning like smell the fridge is working fine but I have real concerns of fire so I have turned it off can you please help with diagnosis we have done the usual checks but can't the problem

[@sopmod556mm9]

I got 1:25 mins in and had to leave. The constant watermark embedded in the video ruined the viewing experience. Thanks anyway.