R-pod Owners Forum : Dometic 8501 Fridge problem https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Dometic 8501 Fridge problem Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 16:43:43 +0000 Sun, 04 Oct 2020 09:05:56 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12112 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Great detective work MacDad. Refrigerator... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=136863#136863 Author: TimK182G
Subject: 12112
Posted: 04 Oct 2020 at 9:05am

Great detective work MacDad.  Refrigerator problems seem to be a popular topic.]]> Sun, 04 Oct 2020 09:05:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=136863#136863 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Other than your fridge not working... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=136691#136691 Author: dlatzko
Subject: 12112
Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 6:36pm

Other than your fridge not working on propane, was your eyebrow panel exhibiting other strange behavior?  I have  the same Dometic RM8501 that works completely on battery, but will not switch to 120v or propane at all...switches are nonresponsive.  This occurred after being off in storage for the winter last year.]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2020 18:36:55 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=136691#136691 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Macdad....those are great suggestions.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115109#115109 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12112
Posted: 16 Sep 2018 at 12:17pm

Macdad....those are great suggestions.  I was of the opinion also that it might be the orifice or the thermocoupler.  The one who fixed it a few weeks ago, said the burner was out of alignment.  So all of this makes sense.  I'm going to get a new themocoupler and just replace the unit and clean the orifice.  Ironically, I used the the trailer this past weekend and it works just fine, LOL. ]]> Sun, 16 Sep 2018 12:17:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115109#115109 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Hi Brianh. Several thoughts come... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115052#115052 Author: Macdad
Subject: 12112
Posted: 15 Sep 2018 at 1:44am

Hi Brianh.
Several thoughts come to mind. 1. Who ever cleaned the heat exchanger, did they bend the thermocouple, so it is not in the correct position. The flame should make good contact with it, if it doesn't get hot enough it will shut off the gas and the flame and everything shuts down.
2. Similar to my first comment , maybe the thermocouple is sort of in the right position , but not quite right. As long as you are sitting still it gets hot enough to keep the flame going, but once traveling , the flame gets diverted, blown out of the way and the thermocouple shuts it down. 3. Did who ever clean it, did they mechanically clean the "orifice
= "jet" = the tiny hole the gas-flame comes out of ? If they did , they could have changed the hole's diameter. They are very precise for a correct flame.
                  Good Luck . Macdad]]> Sat, 15 Sep 2018 01:44:33 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115052#115052 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Yea, my plan is to clean it tomorrow.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115008#115008 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12112
Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 8:00pm

Yea, my plan is to clean it tomorrow.  DIY, agreed, is better.  And you know its been done.]]> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:00:28 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115008#115008 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : I don't know why but I have... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115007#115007 Author: marwayne
Subject: 12112
Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 7:39pm

I don't know why but I have to do this more or less every year.]]> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:39:26 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115007#115007 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Am curious Marwayne if this is... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115006#115006 Author: jato
Subject: 12112
Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 6:58pm

Am curious Marwayne if this is something you do on a somewhat regular schedule as far as cleaning the orifice and burner.  Your pod is the same age as mine and I have never cleaned either yet the fridge continues to work quite nicely.  Also we always use propane unless we happen to go to a campground that has electric so the fridge has a lot of propane hours under its belt, including all the drive time of over 26,000 miles we have logged on it traveling down the road as it is in propane mode.]]> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 18:58:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115006#115006 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Clean the orifice and burner. https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115003#115003 Author: marwayne
Subject: 12112
Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 3:13pm

Clean the orifice and burner.]]> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 15:13:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115003#115003 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Hi, this seems to be the most... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115002#115002 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12112
Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 2:59pm

Hi, this seems to be the most active thread about Dometic refrigerator reviews, and I've read it several times.  Congrats Macdad on fixing yours!
I have a different problem and was hoping to get comments.  Mine stopped cooling in LP mode last spring, just cooled, not cold.  I had the heat exchange chamber, or whatever its called, cleaned and the unit worked for 3 days.  It works just fine on DC and AC.  Then, it started to work great for the next 5 weeks while in Utah.  Now fast forward to a month ago, same problem.  It lights and cools while sitting in the driveway.  But once you take off, it doesn't get cold on LP.  I've had it in the service dept. for 10 days and they say they cannot replicate the unit not working on LP.   I've read about replacing the thermocoupler?  Any ideas on this?  I'm all for preventive maintenance and just replacing a few parts.  Thanks.  I'm heading to South Dakota next Wednesday and then Wyoming in a month.  Would be nice to figure this thing out. 
]]> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:59:46 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=115002#115002 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Glad you got it up and running.. ... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114585#114585 Author: furpod
Subject: 12112
Posted: 04 Sep 2018 at 7:20am

Glad you got it up and running.. ]]> Tue, 04 Sep 2018 07:20:53 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114585#114585 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Problemed fixed. I traced the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114577#114577 Author: Macdad
Subject: 12112
Posted: 04 Sep 2018 at 12:40am

Problemed fixed. I traced the problem to no electric signal coming out of the Power Module circuit board in the "eye brow" panel above the door. There are 3 wires (white, black, purple) coming off terminal "X105" on the board. that go to the "burner control device" (gray box) outside. After unplugging the 3 wires, and trying to start it in the "gas" mode, I found no electricity in any combination of the 3 terminal strips.
     In the 8501 series, there are 2 type of boards, MES-older style, and the AES-newer style. Mine was the MES type. I fortunately found one at 1/5 the price of a new one $448. , used on eBay.
    I plugged it in, and it works great.
                           Macdad ]]> Tue, 04 Sep 2018 00:40:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114577#114577 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Hi. I wanted to thank all of you... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114266#114266 Author: Macdad
Subject: 12112
Posted: 26 Aug 2018 at 4:03am

Hi. I wanted to thank all of you for responding. As recommended , I purged my gas line by running the stove for several minutes , but still no spark nor gas valve turning on. I also have read all the other related posts. I really feel I have an electrical problem. While researching online I came across a helpful website that has a partial service manual for the 8000 series Dometic that I could download.    http://bryantrv.com/docs.html It has nice colored pictures and trouble shooting aids. It shows there is a 1 amp fuse on my circuit board (on top of fridge) that feeds the "burner control device" which feeds the gas solenoid and igniter. I was really hoping that I just had a blown fuse, but it was good. The manual also describes which lead to check for voltage ,etc.. It also goes over how to hold down at the same time both the "Mode" button and the "Temperature setting button" until all 3 Mode LEDs light up (gas ,12v,110v). Once they do you then push your temp button to make them light up. The number of temperature buttons lit correspond to service checks you are performing. I found this to be quite helpful , though I still have not solved my problem.
   One thing I think I need to check out, is that the porcelain insulator was broken on the igniter. I wondering if that could cause it to short out and not spark ; and maybe if does not spark, the gas valve won't open. Does anyone know? Has anyone had a similar situation. Thanks. Macdad]]> Sun, 26 Aug 2018 04:03:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114266#114266 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : I have a 2010 174 with the same... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114232#114232 Author: Craneman
Subject: 12112
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 9:32am

I have a 2010 174 with the same problem, after a month in a factory authorized repair shop plus going thru all the suggestions given here on this site. I was not able to get I working on gas. It would light the go right out. Reconmadation for the rv repair shop junk it and put in a norcold refer parts are extremely expensive.i have gotten by 12volt on the road, 110 when at a full hook up and when dry camping I use the good old American stand by a ice cooler a easier and cheaper fix. By the way I capped off the gas supply line at the back of the refer, good luck
           Moe
]]> Sat, 25 Aug 2018 09:32:33 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114232#114232 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Does the fridge have one of the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114229#114229 Author: mjlrpod
Subject: 12112
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 8:39am

Does the fridge have one of the little igniter boards like the water heater has? That board seems to be a popular fix. Would be nice if that board worked for both, but i doubt that would be the case. Also, would it be ok to just hold a match at the venturi to lite it, and prove that it's just an ignition problem?]]> Sat, 25 Aug 2018 08:39:50 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114229#114229 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : The 8501 has a defective gas valve... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114228#114228 Author: POD WE R
Subject: 12112
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 8:38am

The  8501 has a defective gas valve that prevents it from lighting. My service man could not get a replacement valve so Dometic sent a new fridge under warranty.]]> Sat, 25 Aug 2018 08:38:49 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114228#114228 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : If the fridge wasn't getting... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114222#114222 Author: furpod
Subject: 12112
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 7:02am

If the fridge wasn't getting 12v, nothing on it would work, and it wouldn't work in any mode..since it does, we know it's getting 12v.
The biggest issue we see with "fridge on gas" problems, is line purging. Light the kitchen burners and let them run wide open for a couple minutes. Shut them off, then switch the fridge to gas and see if that works. It will usually make 3 attempts, over the course of a couple minutes, before it starts, or errors out.
]]> Sat, 25 Aug 2018 07:02:30 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114222#114222 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : Something may be preventing the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114221#114221 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12112
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 7:01am

Something may be preventing the gas burner from lighting,  be it a blockage or a mechanical problem with the burner.  Try searching the older posts on this topic.  There are many discussions that will give you useful hints.]]> Sat, 25 Aug 2018 07:01:51 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114221#114221 Dometic 8501 Fridge problem : HI . I am a new owner of a 2011... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114217#114217 Author: Macdad
Subject: 12112
Posted: 25 Aug 2018 at 2:26am

HI . I am a new owner of a 2011 177. Everything works great, except I can't get the Dometic 8501 refrigerator to operate in the "gas mode". The refrigerator works fine on 110volts and 12volts. The trailer is level, gas cylinders full, batteries fully charged, When I switch to "gas mode" absolutely nothing happens, The solenoid gas valve does not turn on, and there is no spark at the igniter. I at first suspected what appears to be a gray plastic control box outside by the gas valve to be the problem. To test, I turned the refrigerator off and held the power button in for several seconds, I then set the control to the "gas mode" and immediately ran outside and checked with a 12volt test light all wires coming in and going out of the gray box while the fridge should have been going thru its start up routine. Again, it showed no electricity either coming in or going out of the gray box. Thus I wonder if the problem is elsewhere. I have not pulled the fridge out of its compartment. Does anyone know if there are any fuses in this system, other than the ones in the main fuse panel for the entire trailer ? If so , where are they located ? Has any one else experienced this same problem ? Any assistance would be greatly appreciate. Thanks, Macdad ]]> Sat, 25 Aug 2018 02:26:04 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12112&PID=114217#114217