Dometic Refrigerator 2012 Rpod - R-pod Owners Forum

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Bob@Zion

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Joined: 01 Mar 2021
Location: UT
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Topic: Dometic Refrigerator 2012 Rpod
Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 12:26pm

We purchased an 2012 Rpod Hood River Edition travel trailer that hasn’t been used for 5 years. It has a Dometic RM 8501 refrigerator. We have read through the manual for this unit but cannot find answers to our questions.

The ambient temperature in the trailer is currently 35 F. Will the refrigerator operate at that ambient temperature?
The ! light is flashing but none of the other indicator lights are flashing. There are no alarm sounds. The ! light is in flash mode whether the AC, Battery or LP power sources are selected.
The trailer is hooked up to AC power and has operational LP but does not currently have 12DC batteries hooked up. Does the trailer need to have the 12DC batteries in operation in order for the refrigerator to function in AC or LP modes?
When driving with trailer should the refrigerator be set to LP or 12DC power. We did see that we should only use DC power when driving the trailer, but did not see an indication of what the preferred power source is when driving.

We are sorry for general lack of knowledge about this sort of system. We are trying to get ready for our first camping trip in this Rpod.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 1:40pm

The unit needs 12VDC, the control board operates off 12 volts. (reason for warning with no indicators) When towing I use the battery power, because I can with no negative effect, many use LP, because they prefer not to use 12V battery. The fridge will operate at that ambient temp, possibility as you get experience it will not be as cold in hotter temps. I have operated my 8501 in colder temps. Put 12VDC to it and continue testing.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid

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Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 1:59pm

If the trailer is connected to ac then the ac to dc converter/charger should be supplying 12V to the trailer. Do the lights, water pump etc run? As mcarter says, you must have 12V to the fridge controls for it to operate in any mode, even 120Vac.

Propane or 12V while on the road is up to you, there are few topics that create as much back and forth debate among RVer’s as that one.

It’s going to be hard to determine if the fridge is actually working properly if it is only 35 deg in the trailer. As in your house, fridges are intended to keep stuff cold, not frozen. If the freezer section iced up then that means it’s doing something, you’ll have to either run the heater or wait till warmer weather to see if it is working correctly.

RV fridges use ammonia as a refrigerant so will slowly corrode from the inside out even when not in use, so it is entirely possible for your fridge to be dead even if it’s been sitting for years.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

jato

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3219

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 3:24pm

+1 to mcarter

+1 to offgrid

Just recently installed a new RM 8501 fridge in my 177 in January and had to run the furnace for awhile (while leaving the fridge door open) to get the ambient temperature warm enough inside to test and see if it would function on 12v battery, shore power, and propane - which it did on all three.

Before doing that I found myself in a similar situation as you, outside temps were in the mid 20's and when each function was tried (battery, shore power, propane) nothing happened because it was too cold. No reason for refer to come on when the temp was already colder than what I would be asking the refer to 'cool' to.

Advertisement: If you are in need of a new 8501 there is a brand new one for sale under the general camping tab in the campers flea market section.

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."

Bob@Zion

Newbie

Joined: 01 Mar 2021
Location: UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 3:59pm

So we hooked up a battery (only have one right now) and now observe the following:

1. When mode is LP the indicator lights appear green and steady. We can hear the gas through the outside vent area when cover is off. Sounds like a regular furnace. No odor detected.

2. When mode is Battery indicator lights are green and steady. We can hear the electronics under the bench seat.

3. However when mode is AC power the ! light blinks red and the AC indicator light blinks green.

4. All the lights in and outside of the trailer work with the AC power and no battery connected.

5. Fan, heater, and air conditioner all worked with AC power and no battery.

6. One plug in the slide out kitchen area does not work but all of the others do.

7. We haven't put water into the system yet so we don't yet know if the water pump or water heater work.

8. Stove and microwave both work.

If the indicator lights appear correct in LP mode should we assume it's operating and wait to see if it cools? The outside temp has warmed up now as well as the inside of the trailer.

Any ideas of why it is showing the ! blinking light when in the AC power mode with most of the other electric things working?

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 4:52pm

The outlet not working bothers me. Check fuses and breakers, then check voltage at rear of fridge where it plugs into outlet to get AC power. Appears your LP and battery modes are working, at least no warning indicators, if it's warmed up fridge should cool.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

jato

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3219

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 5:43pm

Check the gfi and see if it is tripped. Ours is at the fridge, yours may be at the outlet in the kitchen area that fails to work.

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."

Bob@Zion

Newbie

Joined: 01 Mar 2021
Location: UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 5:54pm

Thanks for all the comments.

The only GFI plug that we can find on this rpod is on the lower side of the dinette bench closest to the kitchen. We have now been able to verify that the refrig actually works and cools right down when in the LP mode. We were also able to verify that the water pump and water heater work.

As was mentioned in an earlier post it looks like there is something wrong with the plug for the refrig and the one plug in the kitchen wall. Neither of these plugs are GFI... doesn't that seem strange?

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 6:08pm

All the plugs are on one GFI. RESET the one GFI then figure out why you have two plugs with no AC voltage. Find out that problem and I think you'll be working.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

jato

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3219

Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 6:19pm

I have seen instances where mice have gained access somehow and chewed through wires on r-pods. Especially can be a possibility here whereby this unit has been sitting vacant for 5 years. Agree with mcarter, take a close look at the 2 nonworking plugs. If there is no power at the plug, remove cover (with power dis-connected) and verify you have connection from the wire to the outlet.

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."

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Bob@Zion Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2021 Location: UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Topic: Dometic Refrigerator 2012 Rpod Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 12:26pm
	We purchased an 2012 Rpod Hood River Edition travel trailer that hasn’t been used for 5 years. It has a Dometic RM 8501 refrigerator. We have read through the manual for this unit but cannot find answers to our questions. The ambient temperature in the trailer is currently 35 F. Will the refrigerator operate at that ambient temperature? The ! light is flashing but none of the other indicator lights are flashing. There are no alarm sounds. The ! light is in flash mode whether the AC, Battery or LP power sources are selected. The trailer is hooked up to AC power and has operational LP but does not currently have 12DC batteries hooked up. Does the trailer need to have the 12DC batteries in operation in order for the refrigerator to function in AC or LP modes? When driving with trailer should the refrigerator be set to LP or 12DC power. We did see that we should only use DC power when driving the trailer, but did not see an indication of what the preferred power source is when driving. We are sorry for general lack of knowledge about this sort of system. We are trying to get ready for our first camping trip in this Rpod. Thanks in advance for any advice.

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 1:40pm
	The unit needs 12VDC, the control board operates off 12 volts. (reason for warning with no indicators) When towing I use the battery power, because I can with no negative effect, many use LP, because they prefer not to use 12V battery. The fridge will operate at that ambient temp, possibility as you get experience it will not be as cold in hotter temps. I have operated my 8501 in colder temps. Put 12VDC to it and continue testing.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

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: 01 Mar 2021 at 1:59pm
	If the trailer is connected to ac then the ac to dc converter/charger should be supplying 12V to the trailer. Do the lights, water pump etc run? As mcarter says, you must have 12V to the fridge controls for it to operate in any mode, even 120Vac. Propane or 12V while on the road is up to you, there are few topics that create as much back and forth debate among RVer’s as that one. It’s going to be hard to determine if the fridge is actually working properly if it is only 35 deg in the trailer. As in your house, fridges are intended to keep stuff cold, not frozen. If the freezer section iced up then that means it’s doing something, you’ll have to either run the heater or wait till warmer weather to see if it is working correctly. RV fridges use ammonia as a refrigerant so will slowly corrode from the inside out even when not in use, so it is entirely possible for your fridge to be dead even if it’s been sitting for years.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3219	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 3:24pm
	+1 to mcarter +1 to offgrid Just recently installed a new RM 8501 fridge in my 177 in January and had to run the furnace for awhile (while leaving the fridge door open) to get the ambient temperature warm enough inside to test and see if it would function on 12v battery, shore power, and propane - which it did on all three. Before doing that I found myself in a similar situation as you, outside temps were in the mid 20's and when each function was tried (battery, shore power, propane) nothing happened because it was too cold. No reason for refer to come on when the temp was already colder than what I would be asking the refer to 'cool' to. Advertisement: If you are in need of a new 8501 there is a brand new one for sale under the general camping tab in the campers flea market section.
	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."

Bob@Zion Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2021 Location: UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 3:59pm
	So we hooked up a battery (only have one right now) and now observe the following: 1. When mode is LP the indicator lights appear green and steady. We can hear the gas through the outside vent area when cover is off. Sounds like a regular furnace. No odor detected. 2. When mode is Battery indicator lights are green and steady. We can hear the electronics under the bench seat. 3. However when mode is AC power the ! light blinks red and the AC indicator light blinks green. 4. All the lights in and outside of the trailer work with the AC power and no battery connected. 5. Fan, heater, and air conditioner all worked with AC power and no battery. 6. One plug in the slide out kitchen area does not work but all of the others do. 7. We haven't put water into the system yet so we don't yet know if the water pump or water heater work. 8. Stove and microwave both work. If the indicator lights appear correct in LP mode should we assume it's operating and wait to see if it cools? The outside temp has warmed up now as well as the inside of the trailer. Any ideas of why it is showing the ! blinking light when in the AC power mode with most of the other electric things working?

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 4:52pm
	The outlet not working bothers me. Check fuses and breakers, then check voltage at rear of fridge where it plugs into outlet to get AC power. Appears your LP and battery modes are working, at least no warning indicators, if it's warmed up fridge should cool.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3219	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 5:43pm
	Check the gfi and see if it is tripped. Ours is at the fridge, yours may be at the outlet in the kitchen area that fails to work.
	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."

Bob@Zion Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2021 Location: UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 5:54pm
	Thanks for all the comments. The only GFI plug that we can find on this rpod is on the lower side of the dinette bench closest to the kitchen. We have now been able to verify that the refrig actually works and cools right down when in the LP mode. We were also able to verify that the water pump and water heater work. As was mentioned in an earlier post it looks like there is something wrong with the plug for the refrig and the one plug in the kitchen wall. Neither of these plugs are GFI... doesn't that seem strange?

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 6:08pm
	All the plugs are on one GFI. RESET the one GFI then figure out why you have two plugs with no AC voltage. Find out that problem and I think you'll be working.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3219	Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 6:19pm
	I have seen instances where mice have gained access somehow and chewed through wires on r-pods. Especially can be a possibility here whereby this unit has been sitting vacant for 5 years. Agree with mcarter, take a close look at the 2 nonworking plugs. If there is no power at the plug, remove cover (with power dis-connected) and verify you have connection from the wire to the outlet.
	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."