Dometic fridge problem
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13566
Printed Date: 26 May 2025 at 12:37am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Dometic fridge problem
Posted By: dwheeze
Subject: Dometic fridge problem
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 12:29pm
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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.  |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 12:46pm
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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 - https://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/Mandiag.pdf ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: dwheeze
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 1:34pm
| I have done all the items you have suggested. |
Posted By: dwheeze
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 1:34pm
| Stephen all these items have been checked. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 2:19pm
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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 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 3:12pm
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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,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: dwheeze
Date 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. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 May 2020 at 9:00am
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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 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 21 May 2020 at 3:22pm
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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 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 5:15am
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+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 |
Posted By: dlatzko
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 8:17am
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Hi- I have the identical problem in my 2016 179 with the RM8501 Dometic fridge. Tried everything. The fridge is cooling on battery, just as yours. Just won't switch to AC or propane. Did you ever resolve? |
Posted By: dwheeze
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 8:30am
I solved the problem!!! I sold the RPOD
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Posted By: JA-Pod
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 3:53pm
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Hi I had just the opposite, the RM8501 worked on AC but not on propane or battery, mine is from a 2017 rpod. I called Dometic and they wanted $427 for the control board! so I removed the board from the control panel, disconnected the ribbon cable and other wire plug and removed the pressure sensitive touch panel, reassembled it all and it now works ok for AC, Propane and Battery. Hopefully it was a one off situation and reseating the board resolved. We found this did not work after we returned from a trip and planned another adventure, worked ok on the trip but went to prepare for another trip and found the problem. go figure. Hope this helps john ------------- John & Allison R-Pod 179 (2017) Nissan Frontier SL V6 4.0 (2019) |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 4:28pm
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Touch panels are always failing. I've had 2 microwaves fail that way and an oven. The microwaves are a couple hundred bucks so not that terrible, but a $1200 oven and the touch panel is no longer manufactured? Grrrr. Try removing the connector from the flat cable to the touch panel, cleaning the flat cable with rubbing alcohol and a little agressive rubbing with a q tip, then dry and reassemble. Seems to help for awhile most of the time. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: dlatzko
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2020 at 6:45pm
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UPDATE- I, too, disconnected the cable from the touchpad and something happened as it now stuck on propane and won't switch to either battery or AC. For right now, this is OK as I need it to work on propane for me. But this is clearly a problem with the circuitry in the touchpad switches, and not with the refrigerator actually working on any of these energy sources. I'm afraid to disconnect the touchpad again because if I need it stick on anything, it is the propane. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Still trying to figure out how to get a new board for less that the $300-400 everyone is quoting.
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