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Old 10-22-2014, 04:11 PM   #61
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I was concerned about the cooling fan on the Atwood, when I'd be boondocking...

guess I'll have to get M O R E S O L A R ! ! !
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Old 10-23-2014, 09:02 AM   #62
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That is a dilemma. As you state the problem is rare and probably not all that likely to happen. On the other hand I think with this new technology
helium fridge Atwood hasn't worked out all of the kinks yet. Lots of complaints on other boards about it.

Dometic on the other hand may be a newer model but is still the same technology that they've been building for 50 years. I have an earlier model Dometic 2652 in my 210, and have had no problems with it at all. But I don't have any experience with the newer models. I don't have any additional cooling fans on mine and it works just fine, even in 100+ temperatures.

Only you can decide what works best for your situation. But if it were me, I would go for the new Dometic.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Old 10-23-2014, 09:05 AM   #63
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Why don't you just try the mod that I outlined in my post and then make a decision?

It wouldn't take more than 15 minutes.
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Old 10-23-2014, 11:49 AM   #64
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Default Do you need the fan??

I sure like my little Dometic -- and it does not have a fan. Is a fan really necessary? Can you disconnect it? Continuous power draws are not good for boondocking.

My fridge is designed so that cool air comes in through a side vent at the bottom, and the hot air from the coils goes out through a side vent higher up on the wall. In order to increase the draft, I stuffed extra fiberglass insulation all around the fridge except for the area in back. That way, the hot air has no choice but to go up and out. I also put a deflector on top of the fridge, to further channel the hot air. Here is a link to my blog entry describing those simple modifications:

http://lookmomimcamping.blogspot.com...nsulation.html

Michelle, given the hassles you have had with the Atwood, I would think seriously about the Dometic.
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Old 10-23-2014, 03:02 PM   #65
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Dan, the general consensus is to get the Dometic.

I agree on the fan! How do I find out its purpose and if it's possible to disconnect it? I suppose I should contact Dometic. ON EDIT: I just sent an email to Dometic. I'll post their reply.

After the fact, I found out that the Atwood has a fan also (supposedly only for those that are in a slide out room). That concerned me about boondocking, too.

Don't these engineers think of this stuff?
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Old 10-24-2014, 04:45 AM   #66
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This is an interesting read comparing Atwood and Dometic... http://rvrefrigeration.com/wp-conten...eport-rev4.pdf

It may help you decide.
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Old 10-24-2014, 07:20 AM   #67
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I just got this reply from Dometic:

Hello Michelle,

That model can come with no fan, 1 fan or 2 fans. It depends on how you order it. If you would prefer a model with no fan, then you'd simply order the RM3762RB. If there is a F at the end of that (RBF) then it has a fan and it's not the one you'd want.

I hope this explains things a little bit.

Sincerely,
Nikki Clemans
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Old 10-24-2014, 08:08 AM   #68
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I think that models with a fan are only installed when the fridge is in the slideout - although I'm not 100% sure of that. Mine does not have a fan. I'd verify with your dealer if the model without the fan is appropriate for your trailer. If it really needs a fan there are solar powered ones available that mount on the roof vent.
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Old 10-24-2014, 08:21 AM   #69
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I see there are quite a few different solar power fridge fans.

Are there any specific recommendations?

ON EDIT: I see that those 12v fans take about .09 amps. That's not bad.

And from what I've just read - a fan(s) is necessary when the fridge is in the slide because there is no roof vent.

The Dometic New Generations can be ordered with 0, 1, or 2 fans.
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Old 10-24-2014, 09:25 AM   #70
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Default Not a fan of fans

If you can do without the fan, that is the way to go -- even a solar powered fan will not work at night, without drawing down the battery. And to answer your question about engineers and boondocking -- they design trailers for the average person, who does not do much, if any, boondocking. They don't understand that some folks take their trailers to Alaska and Baja (as you have)!
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Old 10-24-2014, 10:01 AM   #71
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Default Read Farside's link!

That link posted by Farside should be required reading for everyone -- here are two excerpts from that study:

"If a power failure occurs even momentarily, the Dometic models start operation immediately when power is restored while the Atwood models
remain off when power is restored."

"One concern that should be noted is the inability of the Atwood models
to restart operation after a power outage. As many consumers know, a loss of power can happen due to a loss of shore power or faulty batteries among other things and this could potentially cause food spoilage."

Uh-oh!
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Old 10-24-2014, 12:14 PM   #72
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the cooling fans do run continuous, they are hooked up to a thermocouple that triggers when exchange coils reach about 120-120f, these will help the fridge stay cooler, mostly during summer months. the 189 does not have the proper venting near the top of the unit, hence these is why dometic offers that solution. I boondock all the time and have had no power drain issues, but I also have a good hard mounted solar panel, not the cheap portables.
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Old 10-25-2014, 12:07 PM   #73
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Default Re: Read Farside's link!

Quote:
Originally Posted by profdant139
That link posted by Farside should be required reading for everyone -- here are two excerpts from that study:

"If a power failure occurs even momentarily, the Dometic models start operation immediately when power is restored while the Atwood models
remain off when power is restored."

"One concern that should be noted is the inability of the Atwood models
to restart operation after a power outage. As many consumers know, a loss of power can happen due to a loss of shore power or faulty batteries among other things and this could potentially cause food spoilage."

Uh-oh!
15 minutes, one bent wire, problem fixed. Rather do that than bring my trailer to the dealer,and wait two weeks to have my window removed so my fridge can be replaced.

Atwood has since fixed the issue with a redesigned board because I haven't heard of it happening any more, at least in the forums I follow.
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Old 10-25-2014, 12:31 PM   #74
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Meant to say cooling fans DO NOT run continuously
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Old 10-25-2014, 12:34 PM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadow
Meant to say cooling fans DO NOT run continuously
LOL - glad you cleared that up...I was a bit worried!!
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