R-pod Owners Forum : Dometic RM8551 http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Dometic RM8551 Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 02:42:59 +0000 Sun, 14 Apr 2019 20:11:31 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12749 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Dometic RM8551 : Exactly. I was hoping blowing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122887#122887 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 8:11pm

Exactly.  I was hoping blowing out the line was the issue.  But its not.  Gas gets to the regulator and no further.  I'm waiting to hear about costs as I've already spent $500 in repair techs that just cleaned the heat exchange tube.  I've got a new frig all picked out so that issue is all done.  Thanks...your comment was spot on!]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 20:11:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122887#122887 Dometic RM8551 : When I was confronted with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122884#122884 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 7:51pm

When I was confronted with replacing the flame orifice on a 8 year old Dometic, I opted replacement of the fridge.  I didn't have a lot of confidence in the rv tech and wasn't sure his diagnosis was really correct.  The orifice was several hundred dollars and there was no certainty that it would fix it.  In the end it was worth putting in a new one myself.  And in the process, I learned a lot and had some fun tinkering.]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 19:51:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122884#122884 Dometic RM8551 : What is more than frustrating,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122881#122881 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 6:55pm

What is more than frustrating, is the model RM8551 is not available in the US.  I only found the part in the UK.  Hopefully they ship across the ocean.  I really just think its the regulator, but am going to look at the flame orifice too.  If they are too expensive, I'll just get a refrigerator.  I'm not going to keep pumping money into what I think are the problems.]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 18:55:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122881#122881 Dometic RM8551 : Brianh, glad you found the problem.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122875#122875 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 3:48pm

Brianh, glad you found the problem.  Get ready for some sticker shock on the price of the burner and likely the valve (if it's the one on the refer).  ]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 15:48:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122875#122875 Dometic RM8551 : If you blew the line out, it is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122874#122874 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 3:43pm

If you blew the line out, it is now full of air, so it may take a while for the LP to flow along that line into the gas valve and burner. 

Make several attempts before you give up.
]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 15:43:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122874#122874 Dometic RM8551 : Finally found the part, its the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122873#122873 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 3:23pm

Finally found the part, its the gas valve.  What the heck, might as well replace and move on.  Think I'm going to replace the burner jet too while I'm at it.]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 15:23:30 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122873#122873 Dometic RM8551 : Well, I removed the LP line at... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122872#122872 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 14 Apr 2019 at 2:52pm

Well, I removed the LP line at a couple of locations and blew it out.  Now, no gas is getting to the flame orifice.  What is the connection on the back of the refrigerator that the gas line is connected to, and then downsizes the tubing to the tube that leads to the gas flame? It has three small wires leading into it.  I'm wondering if it is a regulator?  I have a picture, but can't figure out how to attach to this post.  All I can think is this thing is plugged or defective?   


]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2019 14:52:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122872#122872 Dometic RM8551 : That's true, one regulator,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122813#122813 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 9:56pm

That's true, one regulator, one pressure.  New repair guy...that's why I'm asking this forum, LOL.  No one has diagnosed this issue yet.  ]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 21:56:30 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122813#122813 Dometic RM8551 : Originally posted by BrianhThe... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122809#122809 Author: DavMar
Subject: 12749
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 7:12pm

Originally posted by Brianh

The repair guy said the frig takes lower pressure than stove and furnace, and if regulator plugged would cause frig to not work.  This seems in line with a plugged line as well.  No...no problems with stove or furnace.

To which I say HU??? Really??? The refrigerator runs at lower pressure hmmmm .... I think not. There is only one LP regulator on your camper at the LP tank. There is not another regulator at the refrigerator that reduces the pressure flow. If I'm wrong then I'm sure some member of this forum with allot more experience and knowledge will soon set me straight, but I don't think that will happen. My best advice, take it or leave it, is to find a new RV repair shop.
]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:12:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122809#122809 Dometic RM8551 : Maybe he meant lower volume of... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122806#122806 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 12749
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 6:21pm

Maybe he meant lower volume of gas, since all those appliances are on the same low pressure propane supply.]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 18:21:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122806#122806 Dometic RM8551 : The repair guy said the frig takes... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122786#122786 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 10:35pm

The repair guy said the frig takes lower pressure than stove and furnace, and if regulator plugged would cause frig to not work.  This seems in line with a plugged line as well.  No...no problems with stove or furnace.]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 22:35:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122786#122786 Dometic RM8551 : I had the regulator replaced.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122785#122785 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 10:34pm

I had the regulator replaced.  Frig worked for 1-day.  When I relocated...didn't work again.  I'm really hoping, its the line. ]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 22:34:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122785#122785 Dometic RM8551 : Have you noticed any other problems... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122784#122784 Author: DavMar
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 9:58pm

Have you noticed any other problems with your stove or hot water heater when on gas? Long shot thought .....  but you might want to take the regulator to a LP company to check out. I've heard of regulators that go flaky like that so it might be worth a roll of the dice to check it out or replace it. As far as a new refrigerator just ask the almighty Google and I'm sure it will spit out many sources. Wink ]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 21:58:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122784#122784 Dometic RM8551 : I searched a bit more about clogged... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122781#122781 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 9:04pm

I searched a bit more about clogged lines.  Going to try and blow out tomorrow and see if that works.  It makes sense this could be the problem as it works for a while, then when I travel it stops working.  Thanks again!]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 21:04:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122781#122781 Dometic RM8551 : Copper and rubber hose (which... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122779#122779 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 8:23pm

Copper and rubber hose (which can deteriorate).]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:23:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122779#122779 Dometic RM8551 : Contaminated lines? Hadn't... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122778#122778 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 7:41pm

Contaminated lines?  Hadn't thought of that.  Are the lines easily replaced?  I haven't looked, are they copper or some other material?]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 19:41:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122778#122778 Dometic RM8551 : I ended up buying a new fridge... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122775#122775 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 6:41pm

I ended up buying a new fridge directly from FR after a bad experience with someone else installing and messing up a Norcold.  It's an RM8501 and the price was very competitive.  Casita had it also for a pretty good price, but FR was cheaper.  If you are a vet, be sure to mention it if you get it from FR.  The FR and Casita prices were way lower than anywhere else I could find.  The refrigerator was the exact replacement for the old Dometic we had in our 172 that conked out a couple years ago.  

If you call the parts department at FR, they can look up exactly what fits your 171.  My trailer is pretty old so I had to do a minor wiring change for the 12vdc operation to make the wire a little heavier than the original, but it was easy and they were helpful with some technical advice.  

I installed it myself and it has worked very nicely ever since.  I salvaged the pancake/muffin fans from the old fridge and added them up by the upper vent to give a boost to air movement for hot days.  Someday when I'm feeling really frisky, I'll put a thermostat switch in to automatically turn them off and on.  For the time being I have just a toggle switch.  I didn't connect them to the fridge fan circuit because it has a low amp fuse that could blow if two more fans were connected.  

I gave the old fridge to the RV dealer where I occasionally buy stuff.  They wanted it for parts.


]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 18:41:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122775#122775 Dometic RM8551 : You may have some contaminated... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122774#122774 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 6:39pm

You may have some contaminated propane and/or deteriorating propane lines or contaminants inside the lines.]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 18:39:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122774#122774 Dometic RM8551 : My Dometic RM8551 crapped out... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122773#122773 Author: Brianh
Subject: 12749
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 6:01pm

My Dometic RM8551 crapped out in my RP171.  Has anyone been able to order this online in the US, or do I need to go through a FR dealer?  RM8555 is a newer replacement.  Any other 3-way refrigerators that anyone has used as a replacement?

BTW...my problem has been going on for over a year.  It stops working on LP, I take it in, they clean it and it works.  When I take it home and travel, it stops working.  Not entirely, just the flame dies down and it does not get cold enough.  Had it cleaned 4-times, and the regulator replaced as the tech said maybe that was plugged and not getting enough LP.  I've had it.  Time to replace.
]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 18:01:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12749&PID=122773#122773