Dometic RMD8555 Frustration

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Mary F

Yes, Jim. We are camping without hookup. We ran the fridge on 12v while underway, through Kansas to central Colorado. Ran about 55F, and put our group 29 battery in the "fair" position... Did not make us want to keep it on 12v. (I'm saving the 12v for the water pump and my shower.)

We didn't expect great results while we were in Kansas (day time hit 104F one day we were there), but thought "once we get to the mountains we'll be fine." Imagine our surprise.

Hi: Mary F... I believe that the propane regulator and fridge can be adjusted to work better, not optimal, but better at higher elevations. A quick call to Reace might be in order, or a visit to a Dometic dealer up there.
We had a minor problem with ours this weekend but it was the auto regulator not switching over automatically. Might have froze in the extreme heat/humidity. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[sturski]

My driveway is at 8600' and we frequently camp at 9500 -> 10,000, never had a problem.

My auto-regulator is also a bit flakey when it comes to switching over; but I'm OK with that. I can flip the lever and I'd prefer to know when 1 tank runs out.

[Mary F]

Thanks, guys. Your input gives me hope that we're just maladjusted. We checked the bottles/regulator, and did try lighting with a "clicker" but pretty much gave up once I saw the line in the manual about it not being a malfunction if it wouldn't light above 3280 ft. If we get it resolved, I will report back. Thanks again.

[Drumstick63]

Another Update On Replacement RMD8555
I originally started this post last fall and gave an update earlier this summer on our replacement RMD8555. I thought I might give a new update as my wife and I just spent seven nights at Topsail Hill State Park in Florida with some pretty hot weather (heat index over 100 some days).

The only thing that I have changed since our earlier trips was to move the Thermistor off of the fins and move the External Fan Thermostat right next to the water tray. I moved the External Fan Thermostat down the pipe and right next to the water tray as the location were it was originally placed seldom got hot enough to turn the fans on. This new location is closer to the heat source and seems to get hotter. Keep in mind that we freeze water bottles before our trips and place in both the fridge and freezer.

From the time we left until we returned home, the fridge temperature ranged from 27F to 35F. The 35F reading came while traveling with the unit on battery. We saw 34F one time while camping when we loaded some items from the grocery store. For 98% of the trip, the temperature ranged from 28F to 32F, with the temperature staying 30F to 31F most of the time.

This might be a little on the cold side as grapes were covered in a thin layer of ice when removing them from the fridge. We even had water bottles still frozen solid in the fridge after seven days. We are still happy with our replacement RMD8555. Hopefully this performance will continue.

Thanks,
Mark

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Drumstick63

Another Update On Replacement RMD8555
I originally started this post last fall and gave an update earlier this summer on our replacement RMD8555. I thought I might give a new update as my wife and I just spent seven nights at Topsail Hill State Park in Florida with some pretty hot weather (heat index over 100 some days).

The only thing that I have changed since our earlier trips was to move the Thermistor off of the fins and move the External Fan Thermostat right next to the water tray. I moved the External Fan Thermostat down the pipe and right next to the water tray as the location were it was originally placed seldom got hot enough to turn the fans on. This new location is closer to the heat source and seems to get hotter. Keep in mind that we freeze water bottles before our trips and place in both the fridge and freezer.

From the time we left until we returned home, the fridge temperature ranged from 27F to 35F. The 35F reading came while traveling with the unit on battery. We saw 34F one time while camping when we loaded some items from the grocery store. For 98% of the trip, the temperature ranged from 28F to 32F, with the temperature staying 30F to 31F most of the time.

This might be a little on the cold side as grapes were covered in a thin layer of ice when removing them from the fridge. We even had water bottles still frozen solid in the fridge after seven days. We are still happy with our replacement RMD8555. Hopefully this performance will continue.

Thanks,
Mark

Hi: Drumstick63... Frozen grapes makes nice "Iced wine".http://www.theicehouse.ca Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[T&R]

Originally Posted by Mary F

Thanks, guys. Your input gives me hope that we're just maladjusted.

Perhaps your trailer is not currently as level as it needs to be for the unit to work on propane?

Also I'm discouraged with the performance of the RMD8555 especially since during our Sept 2015 orientation Rae specifically said that the new double door model worked perfectly and didn't have any issues staying cool.

[Mary F]

Originally Posted by Mary F

Thanks, guys. Your input gives me hope that we're just maladjusted. We checked the bottles/regulator, and did try lighting with a "clicker" but pretty much gave up once I saw the line in the manual about it not being a malfunction if it wouldn't light above 3280 ft. If we get it resolved, I will report back. Thanks again.

Stopped for a night on the south side of Sanra Fe, NM, altitude approximately 6900 ft. Propane fired up right away and fridge was on all night. I'm happier...

[cpaharley2008]

glad it is working.....now if we can clear up the import backlog and double daily production a lot more others will become happy....

[gbaglo]

So, what was the fix?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

So, what was the fix?

hi: gbaglo... A little "Altitude" adjustment!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Mary F]

Ding ding ding!!! Alf got it.

9800ft = no
9300ft = no
6900ft = yes

So I am happiER... And hopeful we can figure a tweak so that it will work at the higher campgrounds as well. Still on the road for now...

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Mary F

So I am happiER... And hopeful we can figure a tweak so that it will work at the higher campgrounds as well. Still on the road for now...

I wonder if changing the regulator and hoses on the tanks would help? I only say that because I know some have and mentioned they thought the propane appliances were functioning better...

I don't know if this is the right one, but the brand "Marshall" has been mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Exce.../dp/B005F33270

[KirkB]

The MEGR-9984 model is an older model of regulator. I have it on my 2014, although mine is a Fairview GR-9984, not Marshall. I just ordered a replacement from Escape, as my fridge is acting up intermittently on propane. The replacement from Escape is the Marshall Excelsior MEGR-253. The newer model seems to have good reviews, so may be more reliable.


https://www.amazon.com/Exceisior-MEG...7FRY9GDBEP7R23

[rbryan4]

Kirk, if it's any help, I replaced the stock regulator with the MEGR-253H excela-flow and it made the fridge cool better, the stove cook better, and the water heater make hot water more quickly. The difference is not that dramatic, but it is noticeable. I'm very pleased with it.

[Kountrykamper]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Kirk, if it's any help, I replaced the stock regulator with the MEGR-253H excela-flow and it made the fridge cool better, the stove cook better, and the water heater make hot water more quickly. The difference is not that dramatic, but it is noticeable. I'm very pleased with it.

We did the same using the 253H model and had the same results.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Kirk, if it's any help, I replaced the stock regulator with the MEGR-253H excela-flow and it made the fridge cool better, the stove cook better, and the water heater make hot water more quickly. The difference is not that dramatic, but it is noticeable. I'm very pleased with it.

Did you need to adjust it after install?

[Kountrykamper]

I had to adjust ours. It was running about 13" and had to turn it down.

[Klem]

Originally Posted by Kountrykamper

I had to adjust ours. It was running about 13" and had to turn it down.

What is the disadvantage of running it at 12 or 13 ... Or 14 for a little more heat in the flue?

[padlin]

RV components are designed to run on 10-14" WC, you could theoretically set it from 11-13 as the regulator adds 1" to the set point before it'll shutdown for safety. Suggested is shoot for the middle of the range, or 11", which is a possible 12" output when add factor in the 1" lockup.

[Klem]

Originally Posted by padlin

RV components are designed to run on 10-14" WC, you could theoretically set it from 11-13 as the regulator adds 1" to the set point before it'll shutdown for safety. Suggested is shoot for the middle of the range, or 11", which is a possible 12" output when add factor in the 1" lockup.

I was thinking with a fixed orifice in the frig burner a little more pressure would raise the flue temp? People who are changing regulators have reported better performances but any 'high flow' regulator is restricted by the orifice size? So only pressure would increase total propane in the burner?

Reace told me they were making sure the regulators were at 11 as he saw them lower. Just thinking .. why not go for 12-13 and look for a little more juice?