Dometic fridge not cooling

oldpastonian replied on 16/07/2019 12:26

oldpastonian

Posted on 16/07/2019 12:26

I have a Dometic RMD 8551 fridge (with separate freezer) in my 5 year old Sterling. I can see there have been other posts about apparent issues with this model not cooling to food safe temperatures. In my case I don't think its worked properly from new and in ambient temperatures of 25 degrees C to 30 degrees C the fridge barely manages 10 degrees C, (and not much below that at all in cooler UK temperatures) although bizarrely the freezer easily maintains well below freezing and quickly freezes ice cubes.

I've always followed the standard advice (level, shaded from sun, limit door opening etc) and removed the ventilation vents and have just now fitted additional ventilation fans, none of which makes any difference. As far as i can tell it has been installed in accordance with Dometic instructions.Using gas makes no difference.

It's not safe to store perishable food at 10 degrees C plus and it's fortunate I have a compressor driven portable fridge I can use as well while here in Brittany on holiday.

I raised the issue with Dometic back in 2016, but they more or less dismissed the problems siting the same advice as I've mentioned earlier. They also said the normal operating temperature for the fridge is 7 degrees C, which to my mind makes it not fit for purpose anyway as I understand perishable foods need about 4-5 degrees C for safety.

Previous fridges used in the same pitch have always worked satisfactorily even freezing in the fridge compartment sometimes in higher ambient temperatures so I'm pretty much convinced there is potentially a design flaw (or manufacturing fault) with this model given the various forum discussions about it (and as I've experienced the issues since new).

Perhaps there is a blockage or narrow cooling tube and maybe related to a design or manufacturing flaw.

Is this issue familiar to any one else and if so any solutions please?

27 replies

replied on 19/07/2019 11:09

Posted on 18/07/2019 14:38 by JVB66

The OP is talking about a fridge in a caravan, the wiring in motor caravans is such that running on twelve volt while driving is different to running via the 13pin plug and sockets that connect via a modern "intelligent?" alternators fitted to cars,we do not have problems with our dometic fridge when on site and useing the caravan/or EHU supply

Posted on 19/07/2019 11:09

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

young thomas replied on 19/07/2019 22:28

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 19/07/2019 22:28

agreed, our Dometic cools very well on gas or EHU (in all climates) and seems to work as well as DD's when on 12v...

i never pre cool the fridge prior to driving and we always arrive with a lovely cold fridge....

TonyBurton replied on 22/07/2019 15:55

Member

TonyBurton

Caravanner

Posted on 22/07/2019 15:55

If the treezer is OK and the fridge is not cold enough it may be worth checking the door seal. I had a new door fitted after I found I could poke a piece of cardboard between the rubber seal and the fridge.

oldpastonian replied on 23/07/2019 15:24

Member

oldpastonian

Posted on 23/07/2019 15:24

Thanks to all who have responded so far. To clarify I follow all the Dometic guidance (as cited by some respondents) and it makes no difference.

I will check the seal though as per Tony Burton's suggestion, although I'm pretty sure it's OK.

As an update I managed to find online a Dometic service sheet relating to their fridges and this advises there is a problem with the circulation tubes being blocked if the cooling tube is much cooler than the boiler/heater tube and that is the case with my fridge when feeling the tubes at the rear.

I'm therefore thinking it's a blockage which has happened at some point in the past although, given the fridge has struggled from day 1, I'm more inclined to a manufacturing or design fault.

It will have to be checked more thoroughly when back home!

iancalderbank replied on 03/09/2020 23:29

Member

iancalderbank

Posted on 16/07/2019 12:26 by oldpastonian

I have a Dometic RMD 8551 fridge (with separate freezer) in my 5 year old Sterling. I can see there have been other posts about apparent issues with this model not cooling to food safe temperatures. In my case I don't think its worked properly from new and in ambient temperatures of 25 degrees C to 30 degrees C the fridge barely manages 10 degrees C, (and not much below that at all in cooler UK temperatures) although bizarrely the freezer easily maintains well below freezing and quickly freezes ice cubes.

I've always followed the standard advice (level, shaded from sun, limit door opening etc) and removed the ventilation vents and have just now fitted additional ventilation fans, none of which makes any difference. As far as i can tell it has been installed in accordance with Dometic instructions.Using gas makes no difference.

It's not safe to store perishable food at 10 degrees C plus and it's fortunate I have a compressor driven portable fridge I can use as well while here in Brittany on holiday.

I raised the issue with Dometic back in 2016, but they more or less dismissed the problems siting the same advice as I've mentioned earlier. They also said the normal operating temperature for the fridge is 7 degrees C, which to my mind makes it not fit for purpose anyway as I understand perishable foods need about 4-5 degrees C for safety.

Previous fridges used in the same pitch have always worked satisfactorily even freezing in the fridge compartment sometimes in higher ambient temperatures so I'm pretty much convinced there is potentially a design flaw (or manufacturing fault) with this model given the various forum discussions about it (and as I've experienced the issues since new).

Perhaps there is a blockage or narrow cooling tube and maybe related to a design or manufacturing flaw.

Is this issue familiar to any one else and if so any solutions please?

Posted on 03/09/2020 23:29

did you ever get anywhere with this? have the exact same fridge, exact same issues since new, in a bailey segovia 2018. tried everything. fans etc. multiple parts changed including the cooling unit. I think its just not fit for purpose.

love the van but hate the fridge

now seriously thinking about changing it and suing dometic/bailey for the cost.

it even overheated internally in a warm spell in BARNARD CASTLE this summer. didn't have to go to france for my food to go off!

Tigi replied on 04/09/2020 19:08

Member

Tigi

Posted on 04/09/2020 19:08

We`ve had a number of caravans and motorhomes and the fridges in each have varied from too cold (on 12V) to just right to not cold enough. In the case of caravans the cars themselves seem to play a part with the current Euro 6 and smart alternators not being particularily suited to running the fridge, in addition wiring looms may vary. The one central theme is ensuring the fridge when in hot climes is pr-cooled empty and not over filled, food placed in the fridge should be as cold as possible.

oldpastonian replied on 26/09/2020 22:57

Member

oldpastonian

Posted on 26/09/2020 22:57

Latest update. My service engineer has an ex Dometic employee contact who said one solution is to move the temperature sensor, which is fitted to the fridge fins, closer to the centre and top fins of the fridge.

Unfortunately due to Covid 19 we’ve not had the caravan out this year so can’t test this solution. Will have to wait to next year’s summer holiday!

Pageantpete07 replied on 28/10/2020 21:22

Member

Pageantpete07

Caravanner

Posted on 28/10/2020 21:22

Drive with dipped headlights problem solved

guppy replied on 24/08/2022 20:21

Member

guppy

Caravanner

Posted on 26/09/2020 22:57 by oldpastonian

Latest update. My service engineer has an ex Dometic employee contact who said one solution is to move the temperature sensor, which is fitted to the fridge fins, closer to the centre and top fins of the fridge.

Unfortunately due to Covid 19 we’ve not had the caravan out this year so can’t test this solution. Will have to wait to next year’s summer holiday!

Posted on 24/08/2022 20:21

Has anyone done this and validated the solution? I assume it’s the thing on the wire behind the little whit plastic box bottom right hand side.

Is the temp sensor on long enough cable to move? Also any tips? Does it just pull off the fins?

Rufs replied on 25/08/2022 08:05

Member

Rufs

Caravanner

Posted on 24/08/2022 20:21 by guppy

Has anyone done this and validated the solution? I assume it’s the thing on the wire behind the little whit plastic box bottom right hand side.

Is the temp sensor on long enough cable to move? Also any tips? Does it just pull off the fins?

Posted on 25/08/2022 08:05

My fridge is a Thetford but my sensor as you described failed whilst I was in Spain, replaced with new sensor, Spanish engineer told me for best performance it should go on the 5th fin from the left as you look into fridge, on my fridge that is just short of half way, new sensor i bought had quite a bit of slack on cable.

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now

Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace

Visit Facebook