R-pod Owners Forum : Refrigerator Woes http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins : Refrigerator Woes Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 12:48:37 +0000 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 13:27:38 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3967 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Refrigerator Woes : No problem coopercdrkey; glad... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38422#38422 Author: hogone
Subject: 3967
Posted: 20 Sep 2013 at 1:27pm

No problem coopercdrkey; glad it worked out.  Now trade in that Silverado and get an F150!!!!!!!!  Just kidding!!!!!!Big smile  ]]> Fri, 20 Sep 2013 13:27:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38422#38422 Refrigerator Woes : Many many thanks to Hogone! I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38418#38418 Author: coopercdrkey
Subject: 3967
Posted: 20 Sep 2013 at 11:51am

Many many thanks to Hogone!

I tried cycling the temp control and the fridge kicked in perfectly! I
could have made ice cubes in the little freezer section! Who knows why or
how this makes any sense, but apparently it works for the fridge's electronic
brain.]]> Fri, 20 Sep 2013 11:51:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38418#38418 Refrigerator Woes : We too have had no problems all... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38246#38246 Author: David and Danette
Subject: 3967
Posted: 16 Sep 2013 at 8:34pm

 We too have had no problems all three ways the refrigerator works. I am presently using it on 110 volts all that is in the freezer is frozen solid. Twelve volts is the only way it will not operate the freezer at its best.  David and Danette]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:34:29 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38246#38246 Refrigerator Woes : I'll echo the last 4 posts... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38230#38230 Author: P&M
Subject: 3967
Posted: 16 Sep 2013 at 1:48pm

I'll echo the last 4 posts ... 1 year in and not a single problem or issue with our fridge.]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2013 13:48:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38230#38230 Refrigerator Woes : Yep, ours has been perfect. I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38209#38209 Author: furpod
Subject: 3967
Posted: 16 Sep 2013 at 8:54am

Yep, ours has been perfect. I have it on and cooling right now, turned it on Saturday afternoon, yesterday after church I threw my instant read in the freezer area and it was 10F, the fridge section was 34F in the crisper drawer.. We have noticed no difference in performance no matter the power source.

The fridge in the 'stream is nearly 40 years old, only two way, still runs perfect also. I did have to replace the door gaskets a couple years ago on it.
]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2013 08:54:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38209#38209 Refrigerator Woes : We are on our third season with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38200#38200 Author: dsmiths
Subject: 3967
Posted: 15 Sep 2013 at 10:27pm

We are on our third season with the Dometic fridge. No problems so far. I did do something I normally do not do, I bought an extended 2 year warranty as my dealer said the 3 way fridge is about the only thing that causes a problem and could be a little expensive to repair. so far, so good. The extended warranty was fairly reasonable cost wise. I understand the 3 way fridges are rather expensive.]]> Sun, 15 Sep 2013 22:27:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38200#38200 Refrigerator Woes : +1,the only thing I would like... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38182#38182 Author: marwayne
Subject: 3967
Posted: 15 Sep 2013 at 7:51pm

+1,the only thing I would like to see is a little bit deeper fridge, the space is there.]]> Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:51:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38182#38182 Refrigerator Woes : We must be the odd ball....no... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38177#38177 Author: Goose
Subject: 3967
Posted: 15 Sep 2013 at 6:37pm

We must be the odd ball....no issues to report, all has always been good with our frig and has always kept the stuff in the freezer frozen, even in AZ.   Goose]]> Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:37:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38177#38177 Refrigerator Woes : I have found the Norcolds to be... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38175#38175 Author: EmptyNesters
Subject: 3967
Posted: 15 Sep 2013 at 6:17pm

I have found the Norcolds to be a much better product then the Dometic, I will be pulling out the Rpods Dometic and replacing with a Norcold. (Someday)]]> Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:17:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38175#38175 Refrigerator Woes : I found a 1.6 cubic foot model... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38051#38051 Author: techntrek
Subject: 3967
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 10:29am

I found a 1.6 cubic foot model last night which claimed to use a compressor.  No amperage spec, but I remember using my Kill-A-Watt on my old dorm fridge a while ago and it wasn't much.  The fridge is now at my wife's work location so I can't test it again to get an exact number.]]> Thu, 12 Sep 2013 10:29:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38051#38051 Refrigerator Woes : http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38033#38033 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 10:04pm

]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 22:04:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38033#38033 Refrigerator Woes : I think the units around 4 cu.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38032#38032 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:58pm

I think the units around 4 cu. ft. are still compressor types. Example Danby Company at Amazon. Some of the reviews talk about noise. Also, no spec on AC power so I don't know how much of an inverter would be required.]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 21:58:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38032#38032 Refrigerator Woes : Today many dorm fridges use thermoelectric... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38030#38030 Author: techntrek
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:41pm

Today many dorm fridges use thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling systems, so the only noise is a cooling fan.  This is the same thing the electric coolers use, and both have the same problem.  They will cool X number of degrees below ambient, usually 40 F, so if the camper gets to 100 F while you are going down the road your food goes up to 60 F.  Better to find an old-school compressor-driven system.  They do make some noise but my old dorm fridge (now 23 years old) is fairly quiet.  And they will provide far more cooling power.

To run one on the road you could either add an inverter in the TV and run an extra plug up to the TV, or make suresure all wiring through the Bargeman is big enough and add the inverter inside the pod itself.  Again running a separate line from the fridge to the inverter's outlet.  

]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 21:41:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38030#38030 Refrigerator Woes : Originally posted by coopercdrkeyThanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38028#38028 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:14pm

Originally posted by coopercdrkey

Thanks for the tips.  We can try them out while the 'Pod is in the barn awaiting our next trip.

We were wondering if an electric-only "dorm fridge" would fit in the same space, and if it would offer any
better performance than the triple power models.  We pretty much stick to spots with power and water, so
the lack of battery / propane operation is not a big deal.  I think I'll pull some measurements and browse
Amazon.  Maybe one will be advertised as "quick cool".  

BTW, +1 Kickstart!


Bob,

A few things to think about with a dorm fridge. They are motor-compressor systems. As such they make some noise at night in a quiet camper. They may also not be able to handle the vibration of the camper. Years ago small camper fridges were compressor driven, but they were designed for the environment. Lastly, you have no cooling while you're driving. Close in maybe OK, but longer trips probably not so.
]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 21:14:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38028#38028 Refrigerator Woes : Non-stop problems with our fridge... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38022#38022 Author: techntrek
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 8:05pm

Non-stop problems with our fridge since July.  I thought I had fixed it after blowing out the burner assembly but the problem came right back.  I like figuring out problems - basically that's what I do at work - but I'm close to just dropping it off at a dealer and let them deal with it.]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 20:05:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38022#38022 Refrigerator Woes : I have always had good experiences... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38018#38018 Author: Sleepless
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 6:40pm

I have always had good experiences with the Norcold refrigerators and Coleman air conditioners.  But, Dometic refrigerators and air conditioners are another story.  My pod has Norcold and Coleman, so I am a happy camper.

Bob
]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 18:40:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38018#38018 Refrigerator Woes : Thanks for the tips. We can try... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38009#38009 Author: coopercdrkey
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 4:40pm

Thanks for the tips.  We can try them out while the 'Pod is in the barn awaiting our next trip.

We were wondering if an electric-only "dorm fridge" would fit in the same space, and if it would offer any
better performance than the triple power models.  We pretty much stick to spots with power and water, so
the lack of battery / propane operation is not a big deal.  I think I'll pull some measurements and browse
Amazon.  Maybe one will be advertised as "quick cool".  

BTW, +1 Kickstart!
]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 16:40:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38009#38009 Refrigerator Woes : In truck campers and travel trailers... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38005#38005 Author: Kickstart
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 3:50pm

In truck campers and travel trailers over the past 35 years I've had 5 Dometic and one Norcold fridge. The older ones were not very good, and the new ones are not one iota better. Manufacturers have just not improved their products with the times. My one Norcold seemed a little better than any of my Dometics, but friends have complained just as much about their Norcolds. Now ya wanna talk about what a fine air conditioner that Dometic producesThumbs Down? That company has done very little to earn my respect. Little competition from other manufacturers has not been good for us RV purchasers. End of rant!]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:50:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38005#38005 Refrigerator Woes : Bob,Good to see you are keeping... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38001#38001 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 1:36pm

Bob,

Good to see you are keeping Manatee Springs occupied while we are away camping in Colorado.

We also fight the fridge. Looks like the best it will do is 40 degrees below outside ambient in the fridge section. That means 50 degrees inside if it's 90 outside. Better if you take the freezer out, but then, no ice cream. Outside ambient includes the inside of the Pod if it's closed up such as when traveling. Freezer will maintain below 32 degrees, but that still leads to mushy IC. I have not confirmed any difference gas vs. electric so I've been leaving it on gas, even at the campsite, in case of power failure. Either way the recovery capability is zip so in and out traffic has to be minimized.

Camp on!
]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:36:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38001#38001 Refrigerator Woes : I noticed this my last trip out... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38000#38000 Author: hogone
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 1:33pm

I noticed this my last trip out as well. I always set my temp setting at the coldest just to confirm and it was not working well.   I cycled through the temperture settings a couple of times and again back down to the coldest.  For some reason after doing this it performed flawlessly.  Honestly, not quite sure why.  I have also noticed that there have been times when I switch from battery to gas, it won't fire unless I turn the fridge completely off and then to gas.  Again, not sure why this is the case. Hope all this makes sense.   hogone]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:33:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=38000#38000 Refrigerator Woes : Last trip the fridge performed... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=37998#37998 Author: coopercdrkey
Subject: 3967
Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 1:14pm

Last trip the fridge performed flawlessly-  this time, not so much.

Both instances were on shore power, and nothing else that we know of changed
from one trip to the other.  This outing the best the box could do was chill items
"cooler than ambient temperature".  I tried removing the freezer shelf / door 
in order to get better results, and it helped a little, but still not to the point I
would have liked.  I switched over to propane, and again there was a slight improvement
but not much.

Both the vent grill covers and their compartments were clear of obstructions.

Any ideas?  Thanks!


]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:14:30 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3967&PID=37998#37998